Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIf your internet stopped working after a Windows update, first check whether other devices on the same network are affected. If they are, the router or internet service may be the problem; if only this PC is affected, work through Windows diagnostics and adapter repairs before trying a network reset or removing an update. The timing is a useful clue, but it does not prove the update caused the outage.
First, identify what stopped working
Check another device connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If it also cannot reach the internet, investigate the router or contact your internet provider. If other devices work, focus on the Windows PC. This comparison narrows the possibilities but does not by itself identify the cause. Microsoft’s Ethernet troubleshooting guide recommends testing another device.
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Be specific about the symptom: Wi-Fi may be missing, the PC may fail to join the network, or it may connect to Wi-Fi but show “No Internet.” That last status means the PC has a connection to the local Wi-Fi network but not to the internet. If only one app or website fails, the connection may be working while that app, site, or a firewall is causing the problem. Microsoft’s Wi-Fi guide covers these distinctions.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
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Run Windows diagnostics and check the basics
Use Get Help on Windows 11
- Open the Get Help app.
- Search for connect to network and internet.
- Select Run network diagnostics and follow the steps shown. Microsoft recommends this automated troubleshooter as the first diagnostic step for Windows 11. See Windows troubleshooters.
Check Wi-Fi or Ethernet
- For Wi-Fi, confirm Wi-Fi is enabled and reconnect to the intended network.
- For Ethernet, check that the cable is firmly connected at both ends and plugged into an Ethernet port on the router—not its internet or modem port.
- Restart the PC if appropriate. Restarting the modem or router can also help, but it temporarily disconnects other people using that network.
These checks and restart suggestions are included in Microsoft’s Ethernet troubleshooting guide.
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Test whether the problem is Wi-Fi or internet service
If possible, connect the PC to the router with Ethernet. If the PC has no Ethernet port, a USB-to-Ethernet adapter can provide a wired test. A successful wired connection points to a Wi-Fi problem, but it does not establish which Wi-Fi component is at fault. Likewise, buying an adapter will not necessarily fix a router, service, or unrelated driver problem. Microsoft describes Ethernet testing and the adapter option in its Ethernet guide.
If the PC connects to Wi-Fi but says “No Internet,” compare another device on that network. If it also lacks internet access, the router or provider may be involved; if it works, continue troubleshooting the PC. See Microsoft’s explanation of Wi-Fi connection issues.
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Reset network components on the PC
If basic checks do not help and the problem is limited to this PC, Microsoft documents commands to reset Winsock and TCP/IP, release and renew the IP address, and flush DNS. Run the sequence in the order shown in the Microsoft Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide, then check whether the connection works. These commands change network state, so use Microsoft’s current instructions rather than substituting commands or changing their order.
Reinstall the network adapter driver if the outage followed an update
If simpler steps fail and the connection stopped after a recent update, Microsoft suggests uninstalling the network adapter driver and restarting the PC. Before removing it, download or otherwise keep a backup driver from the PC manufacturer when possible—especially if this computer cannot get online. After restart, Windows will look for and install a driver; if it does not, use the saved driver. Follow the current instructions in Microsoft’s Wi-Fi guide.
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Use Network reset only after targeted fixes
Network reset is a broader step, not the first one to try. It removes installed network adapters and their settings, then reinstalls the adapters with default settings after a restart. You may need to reinstall or set up VPN software and virtual switches again, and Windows may assign known networks a public profile. Microsoft recommends reserving this reset for last; see its Network reset instructions.
Consider update recovery when the timing is clear
If the problem began immediately after a particular update and troubleshooting has not restored the connection, uninstalling that update is one of Microsoft’s recovery options. Use the current Recovery settings and instructions in Recovery options in Windows; availability and menu labels can vary by Windows version.
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Removing a single update is different from going back to the previous Windows version after a version upgrade. Microsoft states that the latter option is available for 10 days after the upgrade. That is a recovery window, not a guarantee that rollback is available on every PC.
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Choose the least disruptive next step
| Action | When to use it | Scope and trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Get Help diagnostics and cable or network checks | At the start, to separate a PC issue from a network issue | Low-impact checks; they help narrow the fault but may not identify its exact cause. |
| Winsock, TCP/IP, IP-address, and DNS commands | When the issue appears limited to the PC and basic checks have not helped | Targeted network repairs; follow Microsoft’s documented sequence. |
| Uninstall and reinstall the network adapter driver | When the connection failed after an update and simpler steps failed | Targets the adapter driver; keep a manufacturer driver available if the PC may not reconnect. |
| Network reset | After less disruptive options fail | Resets adapter settings and can require VPN or virtual-switch setup again. |
| Uninstall an update or return to the previous Windows version | When the failure closely follows an update and other troubleshooting has not worked | Recovery actions; a version rollback is distinct from removing one update, and Microsoft gives a 10-day window after a version upgrade. |
If the PC lost its connection while Windows Update troubleshooting was in progress, Microsoft also provides reconnection guidance in Troubleshoot problems updating Windows.
Quick Recap
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- Wifi 6 High-speed Transmission: The WiFi adapter supports the new generation of WiFi6 technology with transmission speeds of up to 600 Mbps on 5 GHz + 287 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, enabling lightning-fast transmission of video at ultra-high speed and low latency
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