Problem with my computer connecting to the internet

Question

Problem with my computer connecting to the internet

Ahmer Naveed 0

Hi Microsoft,

I'm having a problem with my computer and connecting to the internet. It only connects to my private internet at home and the internet at my workplace. Other than that, it won't connect to anything. I can't connect to free Wi-Fi at the library, and I can't even use my phone's 4G hotspot.

This wasn't a problem before, but now I can only use the internet on my computer at home or at work, which is really frustrating.

I've already tried forgetting the networks, turning off hardware addresses, and restarting my computer, but nothing seems to work.

I don't understand why this is happening. Could there be something blocking my computer from connecting to other networks? I'd really appreciate your help figuring out what's wrong and how I can fix it. Is there any way you can help me fix this remotely?

franco d'esaro 25,086 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-17T18:32:05.1466667+00:00

Hello Ahmer Naveed.

Is this a personal computer or a work computer?

Please specify the exact computer model, or go to Start, type "msinfo" in the search box, and attach a screenshot of the System Information page.

Right-click the Start button > Device Manager, expand "Network adapters," and post a screenshot.
Ahmer Naveed 0 Reputation points

2026-09-17T19:40:24.3666667+00:00

personal computer but it

's used for work aswell. Acer i don't know the model.
franco d'esaro 25,086 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-17T21:35:51.76+00:00

Hello Ahmer Naveed.

The cause could be the free software you are using or the VPN. Try uninstalling both of them and then perform a Windows Clean Boot: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/startup-boot/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows

Check if the problem is resolved while in Clean Boot mode.

If the problem does not occur during Clean Boot mode, it means that a service or program is causing interference or a conflict. Follow the instructions in the guide to identify which service, app, or program is causing the conflict and remove it.

2 answers

Your answer

franco d'esaro 25,086 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-17T18:32:05.1466667+00:00

Hello Ahmer Naveed.

Is this a personal computer or a work computer?

Please specify the exact computer model, or go to Start, type "msinfo" in the search box, and attach a screenshot of the System Information page.

Right-click the Start button > Device Manager, expand "Network adapters," and post a screenshot.
Ahmer Naveed 0 Reputation points

2026-09-17T19:40:24.3666667+00:00

personal computer but it

's used for work aswell. Acer i don't know the model.
franco d'esaro 25,086 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-17T21:35:51.76+00:00

Hello Ahmer Naveed.

The cause could be the free software you are using or the VPN. Try uninstalling both of them and then perform a Windows Clean Boot: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/startup-boot/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows

Check if the problem is resolved while in Clean Boot mode.

If the problem does not occur during Clean Boot mode, it means that a service or program is causing interference or a conflict. Follow the instructions in the guide to identify which service, app, or program is causing the conflict and remove it.

Answer 1

Since forgetting networks, disabling hardware addresses, and restarting did not help, use this order of checks:

Run the Windows network troubleshooter
- In Windows 11, start with the automated Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app.
- On Surface devices, the path is Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Network Adapter > Run.
- Follow the prompts and check whether Windows detects a configuration problem.
Test whether the problem is the PC or the network type
- Try connecting the same Wi-Fi network on another device.
- If other devices can connect to the library Wi-Fi and phone hotspot, the issue is likely on the PC.
- If they cannot, the issue is likely with that network or hotspot.
Restart the network equipment when possible
- For the phone hotspot, turn the hotspot off and back on.
- For home or other routers, restart the modem/router by unplugging power, waiting at least 30 seconds, then powering the modem back on first and the router after that.
- This helps create a new connection.
Try a different connection path
- If Wi-Fi fails, test with Ethernet if the PC has an Ethernet port, or use a USB to Ethernet adapter.
- This helps confirm whether the issue is specific to Wi-Fi.
Reset the network stack from an elevated Command Prompt
- Open Search, type Command prompt, then select Run as administrator.
- Run these commands in order:
```
     netsh winsock reset
     netsh int ip reset
     ipconfig /release
     ipconfig /renew
     ipconfig /flushdns
```
- Then restart the PC and test the library Wi-Fi and phone hotspot again.
Use Network reset as the last step
- Warning: this removes and reinstalls network adapters and resets their settings to default. VPN clients, virtual switches, and similar networking software may need to be reinstalled or reconfigured afterward.
- Go to Start > Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
- Select Reset now > Yes.
- After restart, reconnect to the affected networks.
If Wi-Fi networks do not appear at all during setup or connection attempts
- Reinstall the Wi-Fi adapter driver.
- If needed, download the correct Wi-Fi adapter driver from the PC manufacturer on another device, copy it to a USB drive, and use that to reinstall.

A remote fix is not provided here. The supported self-service path is local troubleshooting on the PC using the steps above.

Answer 2

Ivan B 123.5K Independent Advisor

Hi,

In addition to the procedure mentioned by @franco d'esaro , do you have any third-party antivirus software installed? Also, when you connect to the smartphone's Wi-Fi network and try to access the internet, what error code appears?

Thanks.

Ahmer Naveed 0 Reputation points

2026-09-17T19:46:49.9066667+00:00

I do have the free version of an ad blocker, but I've been using it for many years without any problems. I also have a Cisco VPN that I use for the Mathcad program.

However, as you can see, I can't even connect to my iPhone's 4G hotspot. I'm not sure if the ad blocker, VPN, or something else could be causing the problem, but I would really appreciate your help figuring out what's wrong.
Ivan B 123.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-17T20:06:07.9+00:00

Hi,

When you try to connect to your smartphone's Wi-Fi network, do you get an error like "Unable to connect to this network"?

Thanks.
Ahmer Naveed 0 Reputation points

2026-09-17T20:38:04.5966667+00:00

yes i did attach an image for u to see it says (Can't connect to this network)
Ivan B 123.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-17T20:56:54.1+00:00

Hi,

Did you try the Q&A Assist procedures?

Please try procedures 1, 5, and 6—testing them one at a time—to see if the problem persists.

Thanks.
Ahmer Naveed 0 Reputation points

2026-09-17T21:10:02.6733333+00:00

Yes, but I can only do some of the suggested steps, not all of them. Thanks anyway! I think it would probably be better to talk to an IT expert facet-face, so I think I'll do that instead.
Ivan B 123.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-17T21:15:58.9366667+00:00

Bonjour,

Tout d'abord, s'agit-il d'un ordinateur personnel ou d'un ordinateur professionnel/scolaire ?

Je pose la question car il pourrait s'agir d'un problème de politique d'utilisation, raison pour laquelle j'ai mentionné la procédure permettant de vérifier si un compte professionnel/scolaire est configuré sous Windows.

Merci.