Introduction

In today’s world, the internet is essential for daily life. It’s so integral to our society that the UN has declared internet access a human right. We rely on it for work, entertainment, socializing, and research, so when a slow, intermittent, or non-existent connection disrupts our access, it can be incredibly frustrating. Fortunately, Strange Labs has some solutions to help you get back online!

Is it the router or the PC?

When you’re facing internet issues, the first step is to determine whether the problem lies with your router or your PC. Start by resetting both devices or trying a different network to pinpoint the source of the problem.

Reset Your PC: Begin by restarting your computer to rule out any temporary glitches.

Reset Your Router / Extension: Sometimes, your router simply needs to reestablish its connection with your computer. A quick reset can often do the trick.

If either of these steps resolves the issue, great! If not, proceed to the next steps:

Try a Different Network: If you’re using WiFi, connect to a different network if possible. This could mean using a different extension point or even taking your PC to another location. You could also create a hotspot on your phone and connect to that. If it connects fine to a different network, you know that your computer likely works as normal and the problem is probably to do with your network hardware (router, extension, etc) or internet service provider (ISP).

Test with Alternate Hardware: If your internet works via ethernet but not WiFi, or vice versa, this indicates that the issue likely isn’t with your ISP or the internet itself. It’s a positive sign because it narrows down the potential causes to either: the computer network adaptor is not working correctly, or the network hardware itself has blocked your device.

If you can connect to the internet through a different network or using alternate hardware, chances are that the issue may stem from your router or extension. But first, let’s rule out any problems with your PC.

Checking Your PC’s Hardware

If the above tests failed, it is almost certainly an issue with your computer itself.

Even if you can connect to the internet using one method (like ethernet) but not another (like WiFi), or if your connection works on other networks but not your own, it’s time to check your hardware.

Check the Network Adapter: Open Device Manager and ensure your network adapter is recognized under Network Adapters. If nothing is listed, even after restarting your PC, your hardware may have failed. You might need to reseat or replace your WiFi card. If the network adapter is listed correctly or if you’re using ethernet, move on to the next step.

Check for Driver Issues: While still in Device Manager, check for any warning symbols or errors next to your network adapter. If you see one, try right-clicking the device and selecting “Uninstall Drivers/Device,” then restart your PC. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, visit the manufacturer’s website (either for the motherboard or network card) to download and install the latest drivers for your operating system.

Run Windows Update: Sometimes, Windows Update can provide new drivers or fixes that resolve connectivity issues.

Reinstall the Network Adapter: You can also try reinstalling the network adapter by uninstalling it in Device Manager and then restarting your PC.

If you can’t resolve the error, you may need to reinstall your operating system or restore it to a previous point when the internet was working. If the issue persists, your hardware is likely to be faulty and will need replacing.

If your hardware checks out, it’s time to move on to the software.

Checking Your PC’s Software

Resetting the Browser

Clear your browser’s history, cache, and cookies for all the browsers you use. Keep in mind that this may log you out of websites and clear current tabs, so make sure to save or bookmark anything important.

While it’s unlikely that your browser is causing the issue, it’s worth ruling out. If this doesn’t help, continue to the next steps.

Resetting Network Settings

First, run the built-in Network Troubleshooter in Windows by right-clicking the network icon in the bottom right and selecting “Troubleshoot.”

If that doesn’t resolve the issue, try resetting all network settings by following these steps:

  1. Right-click the Start button (the Windows logo in the lower-left)
  2. Choose Powershell (Admin)
  3. If asked whether to allow Powershell to make changes to your computer, select Yes
  4. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter
  5. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter
  6. Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter
  7. Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter
  8. Type netsh int ip reset and press Enter

Restart your PC and check if your internet is working. If not, proceed to the next steps.

Firewalls, VPNs, Antivirus Software, and Viruses

Programs, or even viruses, can interfere with your internet connection. To rule them out, boot your PC into Safe Mode with Networking, where none of these programs will run.

  1. Press Win+X
  2. enable safe boot with networking
  3. Go to services tab
  4. Click hide Windows Services
  5. Uncheck all
  6. Reboot your PC

Your computer will now start in Safe Mode, running only essential Windows services. Check your internet connection—if it works, the problem likely lies with one of the disabled services or a virus.

Run a Virus Scan: Use Malwarebytes to scan for viruses. If any are found, keep running the scan until your system is clean.

Re-enable Services: After rebooting back into normal mode, you can re-enable services one by one, rebooting each time to identify which one is causing the issue. Alternatively, you can focus on your antivirus, VPN, or firewall first, as these are common culprits. Try disabling or uninstalling them after rebooting out of Safe Mode for a quicker test.

Eliminating Software Issues

If the issue persists, consider reinstalling the operating system or booting from a live Linux USB drive to rule out any software problems. If you still can’t connect to the internet with a fresh OS, the problem is likely with your hardware, router, or ISP.

Hardware: If this is the cause you will have to replace the network card (or potentially the motherboard). You could also try getting a USB network adapter to see if that works.

Router and ISP: If either of these are the cause, you may need to contact your ISP to get replacement network hardware, wiring or have your connection repaired.

Hopefully, Your Connection Is Back!

By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve most internet connectivity issues. If all else fails, it might be time to consult a professional or contact your ISP for further assistance.