Windows 10 says I have no internet connection, but I have.

Anonymous
2020-05-21T19:20:56+00:00

I am running on Windows 10 Enterprise, Version 2004, OS Build 19041.264.

I recently changed to the Windows Insider Program and updated Windows. In the taskbar, the Wi-Fi icon shows No Internet Access, but I have a stable internet connection wirelessly (Ex: I can browse the internet, ping IP Addresses, etc.). Another problem is when I try to open Cortana it also says that I have no internet connection (By the way, I can also open Microsoft's website).

As I know Windows checks internet connectivity with this URL: http://msftconnecttest.com/connecttest.txt. But this gives Error 404, File Not Found. Maybe it is because of this?

If you know the problem or an answer, please help. Thanks!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | 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
2020-06-18T19:27:38+00:00

Hello, use Registry Editor, go to: 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet

and modify: EnableActiveProbing

then change "Value data" from "0" to "1"

and restart your computer

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Anonymous
2021-06-07T17:45:06+00:00

The proper one is

"HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\NetworkConnectivityStatusIndicator\” -Name UseGlobalDNS -PropertyType DWORD -Value 1 -Force

But the more appropriate way to do this is not through registry directly, but through group policy config:

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-03-09T11:37:56+00:00

    Hi...I did find an answer for my problem on You Tube so even tho it was complicated, it worked.

    Please don't send any more of these emails concerning this problem as it has been resolved.

    Your Microsoft Support is frustrating for a person who is not tech savvy as it would be nice just to talk to someone about a problem and get immediate help but I have not been able to find a way to do that.

    I kept the info I found on You Tube so if the problem would happen again, I can follow the steps. Thank you.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-03-09T14:09:11+00:00

    "So i wonder why is my Linux OS having NO problems playing spotify ... the OS knows i have an working internet connection. ;(("

    It's an unfair comparison.

    Linux doesn't have a built in API-set for application developers to use to check for continuous internet connectivity changes/fluctuations. They have to develop their own network checks from the ground up or hack together into their apps the use of various linux utilities to continuously check over time for changing network conditions. Windows developers don't have this burden when they use NCSI APIs.

    But in reality most Linux developers don't go that distance in connectivity checking. They just send the packet and handle errors after the fact.

    (Maybe Spotify does, but you the user are getting the benefit from the pain/burden that Spotify developers had to undergo to provide this to experience to you).

    This puts the pain on the user who, as just one example, must wait the full 21 second timeout (TCP retries) when there isn't an internet connection. Whereas in Windows the user knows right away because the app fails back to them based on NCSI status. No wasted packet or time is spent. CAVEAT: With all benefits there is a trade-off. The enterprise admin (or owner of user environment) must ensure their infrastructure doesn't block a simple HTTP or DNS active probe. For enterprises this can happen on many fronts including misconfigured DNS servers, proxy servers, and routers, VPN tunnel forcing, firewall blocks, third-party software that intercepts the probe. For common users (consumers) there's much less potential hindrances and requires ZERO user config out of the box. Most often trouble occurs when they introduce VPNs or third party software that intercept, misroute, or delay NCSI active probes.

    But hey, when you DO have internet connectivity in Linux, it works great! That's not a Linux thing. That's a network thing. Again, Linux doesn't have any added benefits to users/developers when *internet is down*.

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-03-09T14:35:57+00:00

    Hello Tom,

    True .. the API's are very usefull and indeed if this works are quite usefull...

    Indeed waiting for the full time-out is not a good thing... Better to know in advance, i agree.

    But i'm just using windows at home and would like to play for example Spotify ... would be nice.

    Everything else works ... And once in a while i do see the correct icon for the Network symbol (wifi or cable) ... e.g. no error like "unknown network".

    But it seems like random and perhapse caused by windows updates (or not).

    anyway, any help trying to resolv this issue is appriciated !

    Contact me maybe by email/teams if you feel like it.

    with kind regards,

    ~remke

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