If your Windows device shows "No Internet Access" or "Limited Connectivity" despite being connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, it can be frustrating. This issue is often caused by incorrect network settings, IP conflicts, or driver problems. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you resolve it.
Step 1: Restart Your Router and Computer
Start with the basics to rule out temporary glitches.
- Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.
- Restart your computer to refresh network settings and clear any temporary issues.
Why this matters: Many network issues are caused by temporary glitches that can be resolved with a simple restart.
Step 2: Check Your IP Address Settings
Incorrect IP settings can cause connectivity issues.
- Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter to open Network Connections.
- Right-click your active network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.
- Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
- Ensure both Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are selected.
- Click OK to save changes.
Why this matters: Automatic IP and DNS settings allow your router to assign the correct network configuration, preventing conflicts.
Step 3: Release and Renew Your IP Address
IP conflicts can cause "Limited Connectivity" errors.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator by pressing Windows + X and selecting it from the menu.
- Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each: ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew
- Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Why this matters: Releasing and renewing your IP address clears any conflicts and assigns a new, valid IP.
Step 4: Flush DNS and Reset Winsock
Corrupted DNS or Winsock settings can cause connectivity issues.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each: ipconfig /flushdns netsh int ip reset netsh winsock reset
- Restart your computer after running these commands.
Why this matters: Flushing the DNS cache and resetting Winsock clears corrupted network settings and restores default configurations.
Step 5: Update or Reinstall Your Network Driver
Outdated or corrupted network drivers can cause connectivity problems.
- Open Device Manager by pressing Windows + X and selecting it from the menu.
- Expand the Network adapters section.
- Right-click your network adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers and let Windows find and install the latest version.
- If updating doesn’t work, right-click the adapter, select Uninstall device, and restart your computer to reinstall the driver automatically.
Why this matters: Network driver updates often fix bugs and improve compatibility with your router or modem.
Step 6: Disable IPv6 (Optional)
In some cases, IPv6 can cause connectivity issues.
- Open Network Connections by pressing Windows + R, typing ncpa.cpl, and pressing Enter.
- Right-click your active network and select Properties.
- Uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
- Click OK to save changes.
Why this matters: Disabling IPv6 can resolve compatibility issues with older routers or networks that primarily use IPv4.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve "No Internet Access" or "Limited Connectivity" issues in Windows. If the problem persists, it may be worth contacting your internet service provider (ISP) or checking for hardware issues (e.g., a faulty network adapter).
