I have an HP 15s laptop with a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 running Windows. After installing Proton VPN briefly and uninstalling it, my Wi-Fi connects but Windows reports "No Internet, Secured." The same home network works normally on my other devices, and even my phone's hotspot does not work on the laptop.
The problem began after I booted into Safe Mode and followed troubleshooting steps to remove leftover VPN components. I have already tried network resets, ipconfig commands, netsh commands, DNS checks, and removing remaining Proton files. The current checks suggest DNS is working, the default route points to my router, and the firewall has been reset. However, a leftover VPN filtering component or kill-switch setting may still be blocking web traffic. What else should I check or repair?
4 Answers
The symptoms fit a VPN kill switch or Windows Filtering Platform rule that survived the uninstall. One possible cleanup method is to temporarily reinstall the VPN, open its settings, disable any kill switch or permanent kill switch, connect and disconnect once, and then uninstall it normally. This may restore the network settings that the original uninstall failed to clean up. Only do this if you can obtain the installer safely and are comfortable checking the settings carefully.
VPN software can leave behind network filters, TAP adapters, or a kill switch even after it is uninstalled. First try the standard reset from an elevated Command Prompt, then restart: `netsh winsock reset`, `netsh int ip reset`, `ipconfig /release`, `ipconfig /renew`, and `ipconfig /flushdns`. You can also use Windows Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
I have already tried the reset commands and the Windows network reset. Everything points to the adapter connecting, but normal web traffic still seems to be blocked.
If the adapter says it is connected but browsers and other applications cannot reach anything, ping and DNS results alone do not prove that HTTP and HTTPS traffic are working. Check for leftover VPN filter providers and firewall rules, and reset Windows Defender Firewall to its defaults if necessary. If the issue remains after removing the VPN components, uninstall the Wi-Fi adapter from Device Manager, scan for hardware changes, reinstall the manufacturer’s driver, and restart Windows.
Check the Wi-Fi adapter properties and make sure IPv4 is enabled and both IPv4 and IPv6 are set to obtain an address and DNS server automatically. Also check the Windows proxy settings and ensure automatic detection is enabled while manual proxy settings are disabled. In Device Manager, look under Network adapters for leftover Proton, TAP, or other VPN filter drivers. Remove only the clearly related leftover components, then reinstall or refresh the actual wireless adapter driver and reboot.
I was hesitant to reinstall it, especially since the laptop cannot connect to my phone hotspot either, but the leftover kill-switch setting seems consistent with the routing and DNS tests.