I'm facing a weird issue with my Windows 11 laptop. When I connect it to the internet using an Ethernet cable, it registers as connected, but I can't access any websites and keep getting an ERR_CONNECTION_RESET error. The troubleshooter mentioned something about a problem with the DNS cache, but none of the solutions I've found online have helped. I even factory reset my laptop, but the problem persists. Interestingly, my Wi-Fi still works, but it's much slower compared to when the Ethernet was functioning correctly. Also, I noticed that the Ethernet cable works fine with a USB-C adapter that I borrowed temporarily; it's just the direct Ethernet port on the laptop that's not cooperating.
2 Answers
It seems like you've already tried some good steps. Since your Ethernet works with a USB-C adapter, this suggests there might be a hardware issue with the laptop's Ethernet port itself. You might want to check if there are any driver updates available for your network adapter. Just go to Device Manager, find the network adapter, and if there's an update option, give that a shot! Sometimes re-installing the drivers can fix quirky problems too.
It sounds like you've got a tricky situation! Your connection setup seems to be pretty standard, so let’s troubleshoot a bit. First, make sure your Ethernet settings are correct. Right-click on the network icon by the clock, select 'Network & Internet settings', then click on 'Ethernet'. Look for 'DNS server assignment'—it should be set to Automatic DHCP. If it isn't, you can change it. If it is, go to Advanced network settings and check the Ethernet connection details. Just ensure that both 'Obtain an IP address automatically' and 'Obtain DNS server address automatically' are selected. After that, try running the command `ipconfig /flushdns` in an admin command prompt to clear the DNS cache. Give your connection another shot afterward!
Just checking in! Did you get a chance to try those steps? Sometimes it takes a couple of adjustments before everything clicks into place.
Thanks for the suggestion! I'll look for driver updates and see if reinstalling helps. It’s frustrating, but I appreciate the tips!