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

Anonymous

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?

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.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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.

0 comments

56 additional answers

Anonymous

2009-11-21T01:20:54+00:00
Hi Benjamins_box,

You could try disabling any unnecessary network adapters.

Try the steps below:
1. Open Network Connections by clicking the Start button ![](http://res2.windows.microsoft.com/resbox/en/Windows Vista/Main/4/f/4f6cbd09-148c-4dd8-b1f2-48f232a2fd33/4f6cbd09-148c-4dd8-b1f2-48f232a2fd33.png), clicking Control Panel, clicking Network and Internet, clicking Network and Sharing Center, and then clicking Change Adapter Settings.
2. Right-click the network adapter, and then do one of the following:
3. To disable the network adapter, click Disable. ![](http://res1.windows.microsoft.com/resbox/en/Windows Vista/Main/1/8/18abb370-ac1e-4b6b-b663-e028a75bf05b/18abb370-ac1e-4b6b-b663-e028a75bf05b.png)
Cody C

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.
Was this answer helpful?

4 people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2009-11-09T15:01:22+00:00

Also, I can confirm that it is the computer system, not the router settings, that is having the problem, because I have been connected to other networks, and am having the same problem.

Thanks!
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2009-11-08T00:47:59+00:00

Hi Mouneshwar,

I followed your steps to restart those 2 services, but I am still having the same problem.

Also, I went through the Windows Network Diagnostics, but the result is "Windows did not find any problems with your Internet connection." The notification area icon with the two computers has the little blue circle, showing that the computer is connected to the Internet, and the Internet is working, but when my mouse pointer hovers over the icon, it says "Not Connected. You are currently not connected to any networks." The Network and Sharing Center also shows that I'm not connected.

Any other steps I can take?

Thanks!
Was this answer helpful?

7 people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2009-11-07T19:58:24+00:00
Hi benjamins_box,

Welcome to Microsoft Answers!

I would suggest you to restart the following services by booting into safe mode.
- Network Location Awareness
- Network List Service
Boot into Safe Mode

   1. Restart your computer and start pressing the F8 key on your keyboard.

   2. Select the Safe Mode option when the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then press ENTER.

   3. Start> Run> type in services.msc> double click on Network Location Awareness> set Startup type to Automatic.

   4. Repeat the same for Network List Service.

   5. Apply> OK Close> Reboot.

Let me know if this worked

I would suggest you to go through this link

Using Network Diagnostics in Windows Vista

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/The-doctor-is-in-Using-Network-Diagnostics-in-Windows-Vista

Regards,

Mouneshwar R – Microsoft Support

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think
Was this answer helpful?

4 people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments