Windows 11 update on Aug 25 crashed my system,lost Internet connection

Question

Windows 11 update on Aug 25 crashed my system,lost Internet connection

desiree a 0

I am using a Dell desktop with Ethernet Internet connection. After a windows 11 update, I lost my computer Internet connection. I tried everything I could find on this subject but it's been over a week with no progress. The crazy part is my computer says connected to Internet but will not go to any site. I tried updating windows from settings and it comes up with error due to inability to obtain Internet connection. Incredibly frustrating, can you help?

desiree a 0 Reputation points

2026-09-04T01:52:51.26+00:00

I tried all the 7 steps provided by AI and still no connection and also says DNS probe finished,no Internet. Though my computer says connected.
Vitali Starastsenka 0 Reputation points

2026-09-11T07:24:46.39+00:00

Were you able to fix it?

2 answers

Your answer

desiree a 0 Reputation points

2026-09-04T01:52:51.26+00:00

I tried all the 7 steps provided by AI and still no connection and also says DNS probe finished,no Internet. Though my computer says connected.
Vitali Starastsenka 0 Reputation points

2026-09-11T07:24:46.39+00:00

Were you able to fix it?

Answer 1

Kayece Jan Mae Amizola 16,670 Independent Advisor

Hi,

Please try the solutions below if the issue persists. If the solution does not work, please proceed to the next one. Before doing the following steps, make sure that you have backed up your files.

Manually download and install the security update from the Microsoft Update Catalog. https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/home.aspx
Fix issues by reinstalling the current version of Windows, then try to update Windows again.
Run an in-place upgrade in Windows 11.
Reset PC and choose to keep your files.

If you need additional assistance, please let me know.

Stay Safe!

0 comments

Answer 2

Since the PC shows Ethernet as connected but browsers and Windows Update cannot reach the internet after a Windows 11 update, use this order of troubleshooting:

Check the physical connection again.
- Make sure the Ethernet cable is firmly connected to both the PC and router.
- On the router, confirm the cable is in an Ethernet/LAN port, not the modem/router Internet port.
- If possible, try a different Ethernet cable.
Run the Windows network troubleshooter.
- In Windows 11, open the Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app.
- This runs diagnostics and can automatically fix common connection problems.
Try the same network on another device.
- If another Windows PC with Ethernet can connect, the problem is likely on the affected Dell.
- If another device also fails, the issue is more likely the router, ISP, or adapter/cable.
Run the network reset commands as administrator.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run these commands in this exact order:
  - netsh winsock reset
  - netsh int ip reset
  - ipconfig /release
  - ipconfig /renew
  - ipconfig /flushdns
- Then test browsing and Windows Update again.
Reinstall the Ethernet adapter driver.
- Warning: this temporarily removes network access until restart or driver reinstall.
- Before uninstalling, download the latest Dell network adapter driver on another PC if needed.
- Open Device Manager > Network adapters.
- Right-click the Ethernet adapter > Uninstall device.
- Select Attempt to remove the driver for this device > Uninstall.
- Restart the PC.
- Windows should reinstall the adapter automatically. If not, install the backup driver downloaded from Dell.
Use Network reset only as the last step.
- Warning: this removes and reinstalls network adapters and resets their settings to default.
- It can also require reinstalling VPN software or virtual switches, and may change known networks to Public.
- In Windows 11: Start > Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset > Reset now > Yes.
- Restart and test again.
If the issue started immediately after the August update and the steps above do not fix it, uninstall the recent update from recovery.
- Remove unnecessary external devices first.
- Force entry into Windows Recovery Environment by interrupting startup three times.
- In Choose an option, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced.
- Use Uninstall Recently Installed Updates.
- If needed, use System Restore to return to a restore point from before the issue.

This pattern matches known post-update cases where the network adapter or its driver stops working correctly even though Windows still reports a connection.