Unidentified Network, No Internet Access windows 11

The “Unidentified network, no internet access” error on Windows 11 usually indicates a problem with your computer’s connection to the internet or a local network. It also means that your computer is unable to correctly identify the network it is connected to. This issue can occur due to various reasons, including network configuration problems, physical connection issues, issues with the router or DHCP server, or problems with the network adapter itself. Whatever the reason, here are the most effective solutions to fix the Unidentified Network Issue in Windows 11/10 and get your computer back online.

What Causes the Unidentified Network Problem?

This issue can be caused by a variety of factors, including incorrect IP settings, network adapter issues, hardware problems, or interference from antivirus software. It can also stem from problems with your router, DHCP server, or even DNS server issues.

  • Incorrect IP Address: Your computer might have been assigned an IP address that is not valid for the network, preventing communication.
  • Router/DHCP Server Issues: The router might be malfunctioning, or the DHCP server might not be assigning IP addresses correctly.
  • Network Adapter Problems: The network adapter (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) might have a driver issue or be malfunctioning.
  • Firewall/Antivirus: Some firewalls or antivirus software can interfere with network connections.
  • Outdated Network Drivers: Outdated drivers can lead to communication problems.
  • MAC Address Filtering: The router might be configured to block the device’s MAC address.
  • VPN Interference: A VPN might be interfering with the network connection.

Restart Your Router and PC

Temporary glitches or cached data in your router or PC can prevent proper network communication. Restarting both devices clears out stuck memory and Re-establishes connections. It can also resolve common IP address conflicts and renew the connection to your ISP.

  • Restart your PC: Close all apps, click Start > Power > Restart.
  • Reboot your router/modem: Unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully restart.
  • Check if the internet connection is restored on your computer. If not, proceed to the next step.

Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can detect and fix common networking issues automatically. It checks for problems with the network adapter, incorrect IP or DNS settings, and any software conflicts that may be blocking access.

  • Press Win + I to open Settings.
  • Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  • Find Network Adapter and click Run. Follow the prompts.
  • Also, run the Internet Connections troubleshooter from the same menu.
  • Restart your PC and check your connection.

Internet troubleshooter

Reset Network Settings

Network settings can become corrupted over time, especially after updates or VPN usage. Performing a network reset removes and reinstalls all network adapters and reverts all configurations, including DNS, IP, and proxy settings, back to default.

  • Press Win + I to open Settings.
  • Go to Network & Internet> Advanced network settings > Network reset.
  • Click Reset now and confirm. Your PC will restart, and network settings will be restored to default.
  • Reconnect to your network and test the connection.

Confirm network reset

Note: You’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks manually after this, but it often resolves deep-rooted issues.

Flush DNS and Reset TCP/IP Stack

DNS and TCP/IP settings control how your computer communicates with other systems on the Internet. Over time, these settings can become outdated or corrupted. Flushing the DNS and resetting the TCP/IP stack clears bad configurations, forces your PC to request fresh data from the router, and often restores normal connectivity.

  • Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
  • Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

  • This clears out all old network data and forces Windows to get fresh configuration info. Restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved.

Assign a Static IP Address

Sometimes, your PC fails to obtain an IP address automatically from the router due to DHCP failure. Assigning a static IP address ensures your device has unique and correct network information. It avoids IP conflicts, bypasses misconfigured DHCP settings, and can restore access when automatic settings fail.

  • Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and hit Enter.
  • Right-click your network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.
  • Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.

Choose Use the following IP address and enter:

  • IP address: Something like 192.168.1.x (replace x with a number between 2 and 254, e.g., 192.168.1.100).
  • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0.
  • Default gateway: Your router’s IP (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
  • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare DNS).

Click OK, then restart your connection. Now, check if the internet connection is restored.

Disable Power Saving for Network Adapter

Windows may automatically turn off your network adapter to save power, especially on laptops. While this helps conserve battery life, it can sometimes cause connectivity issues, particularly after waking the device from sleep or hibernation. Disabling the power-saving option ensures the adapter stays active and maintains a stable connection at all times.

  • Press Win + X and select Device Manager
  • Expand Network adapters and right-click your active adapter
  • Choose Properties, go to the Power Management tab
  • Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
  • Click OK, then restart your PC

Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power

Update the Network Adapter Driver

Outdated, incompatible, or corrupted network drivers can prevent your system from properly interacting with the network hardware. Updating the driver ensures compatibility with the latest Windows updates, while reinstalling a faulty driver can fix missing files or registry conflicts.

  • Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
  • Expand Network adapters, right-click your network adapter, and select Update driver.
  • Choose Search automatically for drivers. If no updates are found, visit the manufacturer’s website (e.g., Intel, Realtek) to download the latest driver.

update network adapter driver

Reinstall Drivers:

  • In Device Manager, right-click the network adapter and select Uninstall device.
  • Restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
  • Alternatively, download the driver from the manufacturer’s website and install it manually.

Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Firewall

Sometimes, antivirus software or custom firewall rules can block your PC’s access to the internet. Disabling them briefly helps identify whether they’re interfering, so you can adjust settings or replace them if needed.

For Windows Defender Firewall:

  • Press Win + I, go to Privacy & security > Windows Security > Open Windows Security.
  • Select Firewall & network protection > Public network (or your active network) > Turn off Microsoft Defender Firewall.

For third-party antivirus, check its settings to allow network connections.

Test your connection. If it works, add an exception for your network or app in the firewall/antivirus settings, then re-enable the firewall.

Check Hardware and Router Settings

If the issue persists, it might be hardware-related:

  • Check cables: Ensure Ethernet cables are securely connected and not damaged.
  • Test with another device: Connect another device to the same network to see if it works.
  • Update router firmware: Log in to your router’s admin page (usually via 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and check for firmware updates.
  • Contact your ISP: If no devices can connect, your internet service provider might be experiencing an outage.

Again, Router settings like DHCP and MAC filtering can silently block devices or prevent them from getting a valid IP address. If DHCP is disabled, your PC won’t get an IP at all. If MAC filtering is enabled, your device might be on the blocklist. Review your router’s configuration to ensure your system is allowed on the network and receives proper addressing.

FAQs
Q: Is a network reset safe?
Yes, it removes saved networks and resets everything to factory defaults—but your files and apps remain untouched.

Q: Why does this error only happen sometimes?
It’s often due to dynamic IP assignment failures or interference from background updates, security apps, or power interruptions.

Q: Can a faulty network cable cause this?
Absolutely. Damaged Ethernet cables or loose Wi-Fi antennas can cause intermittent or no connectivity, resulting in this error.

Also Read

Steve Ballmer
Steve Ballmer
With over 7 years of experience in the IT industry, I have experience in IT support, helpdesk, sysadmin, network admin, and cloud computing. Certified in Microsoft Technologies (MCTS and MCSA) and also Cisco Certified Professional in Routing and Switching.

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