My computer suddenly stopped connecting to the internet one day. Restarting it fixed the problem the first time, but that no longer helps. Other devices appear to work normally, so the issue seems limited to this PC. I'm connected through my router and don't suspect malware since I'm careful about downloads and mainly use trusted sources. What should I check first to figure out whether the problem is the network connection, router communication, or my computer's IP settings?
3 Answers
Since other devices can get online and only this PC is affected, focus on the computer rather than the internet service. Open the network settings and confirm it’s receiving an IP address automatically. You can also disable and re-enable the network adapter, then restart the PC. If it received an address that conflicts with another device, renewing the IP lease may resolve it.
Try comparing the PC’s connection with another device on the same network. If the PC shows a network connection but webpages won’t load, test whether you can open the router’s address in a browser. You can also restart the router, forget and reconnect to the network, and run the built-in network troubleshooter. Since the issue is isolated to this computer, malware is less likely than a network adapter or configuration problem.
First check whether the PC can communicate with the router at all. If you’re using an Ethernet cable, make sure the cable and port are working. If the computer can’t reach the router, the problem is probably the cable, network adapter, or local network settings. If it can reach the router but not the internet, then check the router connection or DNS settings.
It’s only happening on my PC; my phone and other devices can still access the internet.