Network and Sharing Center shows not connected, but computer is connected to wireless network

Anonymous
2009-11-06T21:59:55+00:00

When I open the Network and Sharing Center, or hold my mouse pointer over the internet connection icon on the bottom right of the taskbar, it shows that I am not connected to a network. However, I know I am connected to the internet. My internet and email are working fine. Also, when I click the option "Connect to a network," the list of available wireless networks come up, and it shows that I'm connected to my home network. How do I make Windows recognize everywhere that I'm connected to the internet, instead of just on the wireless-networks-available list?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2011-08-23T06:30:04+00:00

Had exactly the same issue running Windows 7 (win7). Connected to the Internet but status showing no connections and a red cross on the network icon. Problem also caused problems connecting to Lync and Office365 as well as VPN, which apparently uses the status to check if connectivity is available.

Found the solution here: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itpronetworking/thread/df17c593-e78f-4878-97b0-7569307934c5

Apparently some permissions gets wrong in the Registration Database and needs to be fixed using RegEdit. The solution is a step by step and might be solved just by deleting a cache folder using RegEdit and potentially setting some permissions.

Hope it helps.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-07-02T20:01:55+00:00

    Just wondering, because I've seen people here having this problem since last year, has anyone been able to fix it? I would think a question, which has so many people asking about it since '09, and that it has 16 people on alert would get more attention.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-07-02T15:43:22+00:00

    Tried it, but it didn't work for me. The problem remains the same.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-06-30T16:37:19+00:00

    You can try this, it worked for me. Go into your Device Manager highlight your Network Adapter and Unistall your NIC (don't delete it). Next right click Network Adapters and click scan for hardware changes and it should reinstall. after that check your Network and Sharing Center and it should show a connection. Let me know if it worked. I've only seen this happen to computers using 802.1x.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-05-06T12:13:57+00:00

    Same problem here. None of the solutions above work for me. I use Windows 7. Where is MS???? Why can't you guys pitch in and find a solution?

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