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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

56 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2012-02-21T06:25:29+00:00

    I have been having this problem since last year and this is one of the few microsoft forums that addresses this issue.  Then I found the link that has been listed above -

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

    and, with some tweaking, my problem was solved. No more red X when I'm in fact connected and I can access my VPN.  If you don't want to navigate through the thread, try this:

    Click Start

    Type Run

    Type Regedit

    Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

    Expand Software

    Expand Microsoft

    Expand Windows NT

    Expand Current Version

    Right Click Network List

    Right Click Permissions

    For all users except CREATOR OWNER ensure that you have Full Control and Read ticked for all other accounts.

    Then click on Advanced (next to For special permissions and...), highlight Administrators or Users and put a check mark next to "Replace all child object permissions, etc" (it will affect all of the users), click apply and okay.

    Next, under Network List, expand Nla, rightclick on cache, choose Rename and change it to cache.old.  Click okay.

    Then, Click Start, run, type "services.msc" without quotes, double click on Network List Service and Network Location Awareness, change startup type for both to Automatic, 

    click okay and then reboot.  

    Good luck

    Was this answer helpful?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-05-11T15:45:14+00:00

    FORGET EVERYTHING THEY SAID BECAUSE AFTER MONTHS I DISCOVERED THIS THAT WORKED FOR ME!!!

    1. Open cmd.exe as administrator.
    2. Type those command lines:

    net localgroup Administrators /add networkservice                                       (press enter)

    net localgroup Administrators /add localservice                                             (press enter)

    1. Reboot

    IMPORTANT NOTE:

    If your PC language is set to English u type "Administrators" like above, but if u are not english u write Administrators in your language like:

    "Administratores" = "Administradores" in portuguese, my PC language.

    Was this answer helpful?

    7 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2009-12-17T23:57:14+00:00

    I am having this same exact issue except it is with Windows 7 - shocking, nah?. But yeah, I can't get to HomeGroup and really need to so I can connect Xbox360 and stream all my stuff!!

    Please hellp!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    7 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. 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