Why Can’t My Browsers Access the Internet While Other Apps Can?
Asked by
TechyTurtle99
I'm in a bit of a jam here! My PC has always been reliable, but suddenly, last week, browsers like Chrome and Edge just stopped loading webpages. However, apps that need the internet, like Steam and Discord, work just fine. I've done a lot of troubleshooting on my own, including resetting my IP, clearing browser caches, flushing DNS, and even fiddling with my firewall settings. But nothing seems to solve the issue with the browsers. I'm running Windows 10 and connected via Ethernet, and other devices in my home connect to the internet without a hitch. Before I consider shelling out for a new PC, I would really appreciate any help!
Answers
It sounds like a proxy setting issue. Sometimes, unknown changes can hijack those settings. You might want to check your Proxy settings directly in your browsers, especially Edge since you’ve uninstalled Chrome.
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When you can use apps but not browsers, it’s usually related to DNS or security settings rather than your PC breaking down. Here’s a checklist:
1. **Check proxy settings**: Go to Settings -> Network & Internet -> Proxy, and make sure "Use a proxy server" is turned OFF.
2. **Change DNS settings**: Right-click on your Ethernet connection -> Properties -> Internet Protocol v4 -> set your DNS to Google's (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare's (1.1.1.1).
3. **Reset Winsock**: Open Command Prompt as an admin and run `netsh winsock reset`, then reboot.
4. **Check your antivirus/firewall settings**: If you're using third-party software, try disabling it temporarily.
LostInTech20: Unfortunately, none of these worked for me. I still can’t get my browsers to load.
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CuriousCoder33: How do I check those proxy settings in Microsoft Edge?