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

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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
    2010-05-01T20:48:49+00:00

    One possible workaround can be to manually restart the Network Location Awareness service AFTER connecting to the internet. This fixes the problem for me, UNTIL THE NEXT REBOOT (reconnect?). You can also try changing its startup type to "delayed start".

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-04-16T15:06:18+00:00

    Same problem here... I am planning to reinstall the whole OS just for this, quite annoying...

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-03-19T09:09:44+00:00

    I have exactly same problem on my Win 7 x64 , feels good that i'm not alone.

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