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Help! My PC Connects to WiFi but Not the Internet

January 4, 2026 4 answers
Asked by DigitalDove23
I'm having a bizarre issue with my PC. It can connect to WiFi, but for some reason, it can't access the internet at all. My phone connects without any issues, so I suspect it's a hardware problem with my PC. When I check the connection status, it says I'm connected, but there's definitely no internet access. Even trying to tether my phone to my PC hasn't worked. I've attempted several commands like `ipconfig /release`, `ipconfig /renew`, `ipconfig /flushdns`, `netsh winsock reset`, and `netsh int ip reset`, but nothing is fixing the problem. I got my PC sometime in 2020, but I can't remember the exact model. Is there anything else I can try?
Hardware hardware internet network adapter tethering troubleshooting Wifi

Answers

RandomTechie77
Don't underestimate the hardware side! Windows can be rough on drivers. Sometimes just reseating the adapter can help. You'd be surprised how often that works.
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MysteriousMoose
It’s really hard to troubleshoot without a make/model of your PC. If you can’t remember, try looking up any stickers or labels on the hardware. If you suspect a hardware issue, check if your Wi-Fi adapter is seated properly or even consider testing it with another device.
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TechGuru99
I recommend starting by completely removing your network adapter. You can do this through Device Manager: just right-click on your Wi-Fi and Ethernet adapters, uninstall them, and check the box to delete the driver software if prompted. Restart your PC, and Windows should reinstall the driver automatically. This often resolves connectivity issues. Make sure to check that your adapters are working properly in Device Manager after rebooting. If you still have problems, you might want to consider testing with a USB-to-Ethernet adapter or even booting from a Linux live USB to rule out Windows issues.
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GadgetGeek22
It’s tough to give specific advice without knowing what operating system or hardware you have, but definitely check your router settings. Sometimes, odd configurations there can block connections. Also, keep in mind that older WiFi adapters can have compatibility issues with Windows updates.
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