Internet works in Safe Mode with Networking Only after latest Windows Update

Question

Internet works in Safe Mode with Networking Only after latest Windows Update

FF M 20

I have Windows 11 25h2 on my HP Desktop computer.

After downloading and installing the latest patch of windows updates from this month I completely lost the ability to access the internet in normal mode on all browsers (Chrome, Edge, Norton etc.). I deleted the installed updates and the problem persisted. I tried accessing the internet using Wifi on two different network to no avail. Ethernet was a bust as well.

In Safe Mode however the internet was excellent but only through ethernet as Wifi is disabled in Safe Mode.

Multiple errors appear in all browsers the most common was "DNS Probe Finished No Internet". After flushing the DNS and reconfiguring the IP address and changing the DNS server to 8.8.8.8 etc. the DNS error was cleared but a new error message came "ERR Timed Out".

I tried every proscribed solution I found on the internet short of reinstalling Windows itself. I reinstalled Chrome, tried to work in InCognito, reinstalled the network drives, disabled all the drivers in Normal Mode that are disabled in Safe Mode.

Nothing worked.

It is worth noting that Google Earth standalone program does connect to the internet in Normal Mode and some apps do connect but not the browsers.

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Answer accepted by question author

EmilyS726 264.9K Independent Advisor

If it works in Safe mode, it looks like driver is not the issue here. I don't see a documented known issue with the recent update specifically about this issue either.

Do a clean boot using this instruction: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd

Make sure you follow the instruction closely and do NOT disable the Microsoft services.

Tell me if internet works in clean boot, My goal is to see i there's any third party issues here.

FF M 20 Reputation points

2026-08-30T21:45:22.14+00:00

I did a clean boot and still nothing.

As I said, Google Earth connects but not the browsers.
EmilyS726 264.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-30T21:58:00.87+00:00

Can you use the Norton removal tool and completely remove Norton for now. https://support.norton.com/sp/en/nz/norton-one/current/solutions/v20240301142500636

These are my theories, so I think it is worth a work-up.

Third-party security drivers and network-filtering components are generally not loaded in Safe mode.. So that could be related to Norton.

Norton does not necessarily treat every software's traffic identically. Features such as Web Protection, https inspection, malicious-site protection, or browser-related filtering can intercept browser traffic. Google Earth may establish its connections differently and may not pass through exactly the same filtering path.

A clean boot does not remove kernel-level network filter drivers. Security products, VPNs and web-filtering software can install filters that remain active in clean boot environment.
FF M 20 Reputation points

2026-08-31T17:46:29.94+00:00

Thank you very much for the help.

I removed Norton and the problem went away.

1 additional answer

Your answer

FF M 20 Reputation points

2026-08-30T21:45:22.14+00:00

I did a clean boot and still nothing.

As I said, Google Earth connects but not the browsers.
EmilyS726 264.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-30T21:58:00.87+00:00

Can you use the Norton removal tool and completely remove Norton for now. https://support.norton.com/sp/en/nz/norton-one/current/solutions/v20240301142500636

These are my theories, so I think it is worth a work-up.

Third-party security drivers and network-filtering components are generally not loaded in Safe mode.. So that could be related to Norton.

Norton does not necessarily treat every software's traffic identically. Features such as Web Protection, https inspection, malicious-site protection, or browser-related filtering can intercept browser traffic. Google Earth may establish its connections differently and may not pass through exactly the same filtering path.

A clean boot does not remove kernel-level network filter drivers. Security products, VPNs and web-filtering software can install filters that remain active in clean boot environment.
FF M 20 Reputation points

2026-08-31T17:46:29.94+00:00

Thank you very much for the help.

I removed Norton and the problem went away.

Answer 1

Since the connection works in Safe Mode with Networking but fails in normal mode after the update, the most supported next steps are to reset the network stack, reinstall the Ethernet/Wi-Fi adapter driver, and use Network reset only as a last step.

Run the built-in network troubleshooter first.
- On Windows 11, start the automated Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app.
Re-run the full network command sequence in an elevated Command Prompt.
- Open Search on the taskbar, type Command prompt, then select Run as administrator > Yes.
- Run these commands in order:
  - netsh winsock reset
  - netsh int ip reset
  - ipconfig /release
  - ipconfig /renew
  - ipconfig /flushdns
- Restart the PC and test again.
Uninstall and reinstall the network adapter driver.
- Before uninstalling, download the latest network adapter driver from the PC manufacturer’s website as a backup.
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters.
- Select the Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter, right-click it, then choose Uninstall device.
- Select Attempt to remove the driver for this device > Uninstall.
- Restart the PC.
- Windows should automatically reinstall the adapter driver. If it does not, install the backup driver downloaded from the manufacturer.
- This is specifically recommended when networking stopped working properly after a recent update.
Use Network reset only if the driver reinstall does not fix it.
- Go to Start > Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
- Select Reset now > Yes.
- Wait for the restart, then test connectivity.
- Risk: this removes installed network adapters and resets their settings to defaults. VPN clients and virtual switches such as Hyper-V networking may need to be reinstalled or reconfigured afterward. Known networks may also be set back to Public profile.
If needed, narrow down whether the issue is the PC or the network.
- Try the same Ethernet connection on another PC.
- If another PC also fails, the issue is more likely with the router, ISP, or adapter.
- If another PC works, the issue is likely isolated to this Windows installation.

Given the update timing and the fact that Safe Mode works, the strongest documented path is:

elevated network reset commands,
then adapter driver uninstall/reinstall using the HP-provided driver,
then full Network reset as the last step.

References: