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Question

Fix "not connected to the internet" message on windows 7

Jan 15, 2014 5:36AM PST

Unique problem. Laptop is conected to the internet, however it reports no internet connection, in WiFi icon in toolbar and in Network sharing center. Any fixes?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
What is the IP address of your computer?
Jan 15, 2014 6:55AM PST

That would tell if it is even talking to the rest of the world

P

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It's connected
Jan 15, 2014 7:22AM PST

It is connected to the internet. Installed a new WiFi card and checked all settings. Everything is what it should be.
Except, when attempting to use a browser based application, it insists that it is not connected, but it is!

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This sounds like the old discussions about Norton and Kap.
Jan 15, 2014 7:29AM PST
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Answer
Re: not connected
Jan 15, 2014 5:47AM PST

- How should it be connected to Internet (dial-up, broadband; modem, router, ICS; ADSL, cable, satellite, glass fiber;proxy?)
- Did you try wired in stead of wireless? What happened?
- How do you know it is connected if all signs point to it not being connected?

Kees

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It's connected
Jan 15, 2014 7:28AM PST

It is connected, I'm not a "newbee"! This is a very strange problem and only seems to affect browser based applications. All settings are what they should be. However, the problem persists. When opening Network Sharing Center, shows the network map and insists, that it has no connection to the internet, however at the same time, have no problem visiting websites and checking emails!
Even installed a new mini WiFi card and drivers.
Again, would not be a big deal, except for the browser based applications and games.

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Applications
Jan 16, 2014 4:11AM PST

So you can access a browser? Of which applications do you refer?

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Recall any updates
Jan 16, 2014 9:40AM PST

Mind this could be a JAVA or flash Active-X issue, there are recent updates on these, see if they are currently up-to-date. Recheck your browser add-ons and see what's present as well. If this is all recent, then use the OS's restore feature and return to date when this didn't happen.

tada -----Willy Happy

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I turned off my wife's windows running her connection
Jan 17, 2014 2:30AM PST

since it would lose the device at times or other odd things happened too often.

Instead loaded the Zydas software that came with her wifi and let it control the process. Problem solved for her.

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Answer
The plot thickens...
Jan 16, 2014 1:00PM PST

Can we assume you're running up-to-date anti-virus and you've ran it?

You say you can access sites & emails BUT then say you can't access the internet through your browser based applications, can you clarify this? It's more-than contradictory, are you saying that you can or can't access websites through Firefox, Chrome, IE, etc...?

Another thought I'm having is that, if you're able to see the network you're connected to (router and other wifi devices connected to) but no internet connection, this seems to point to router issues. You might want to try resetting your router to its default settings, and/or setting up a different DNS server.

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Internet
Jan 16, 2014 11:26PM PST

Let me clarify. The router is new, the latest firmware is installed. three other PC's are working flawlessly.
This is my wifes laptop, that was recently abused by my 3 year old grandson.
It is connected to the internet. All three browsers, IE, Firefox and Chrome are working. Browsing regular websites is not a problem.
However, despite having no issues browsing, while doing so, the network icon (bottom right) reports no internet connection.
In the network sharing center, shows a map of the network and also no internet access, despite being on the internet. Never ran in to this before.
Some facebook games will not run, I assume due to the PC reporting it is not connected.
Have checked all settings. The Hard drive was recently wiped and Win7 re-installed and all updated drivers installed as well.

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Ahh, bugs.
Jan 16, 2014 11:37PM PST

I am using a new Windows 8 laptop and once in a while it will report no internet connection in the tray but all browsers and more work.

-> Microsoft seems to think such a thing is cosmetic and not worth fixing.

It's not the Jurassic era of computing and today's owners disagree.
Bob

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Answer
"Not connected to the internet"
Jan 16, 2014 7:46PM PST

Please check the security settings on your computer. It could be that your firewall or your anti-virus program is blocking you access to secured websites. Also check your wireless router settings as some of them block secured sites. You might need to reset the router, or download the latest firmware for the router. Did the router come with a setup disk, because you could try checking for a updated driver,downloading it, and un-installing the router software and installing the updated driver/software.
If you had Norton anti-virus and uninstalled it, and switched to another anti-virus program, you'll have to goto the Norton website and find the stand alone removal tool that removes everything and turns the windows firewall back on, as the uninstaller that comes with the Norton doesn't remove everything.

Good Luck

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Answer
Re: Fix "not connected to the internet" message on windows 7
Jan 17, 2014 12:01AM PST

You stated that the laptop is connected to the internet and that the problem only happens with browser applictions.

Have you reset your router? Try that first. There will be a small reset button on the back. You will need to use a ballpoint pen or paper clip to press it in and hold for about 10 seconds. If you cannot find the reset, disconnect the power and leave it disconnected for 20 seconds. Give the router time to boot up and reestablish a connection, it may take 20 mins or a little longer.

If resetting the router does not work;
Use Ping to check for connectivity? If not bring up a command prompt. In Windows, click the start button and in the search/run (depending on the version of Windows) type cmd then press Enter. in the black window type ping google.com this will send a series of packets to google and give you a report of what happened. Generally there will be 4 packets sent. You should get a report that 4 packets were sent to google.com and 4 returned. If you get a report that 4 packets were sent 0 returned, you are not connected to the internet.If you get back some packets, but less than the number sent you if a connection problem. If PIng does return 100% of the packets then you are connected to the internet. I would then bring up a command prompt and enter ipconfig/renew

If this does not work you may need to contact your ISP. They will have you go to the routers settings and check that the VPI and VDP ports are assigned the correct port numbers.

One tip, some router set up screens can be accessed by entering router in your browsers address bar. If not google your router make and model to find the setup page. It'll be an IP address like 192.168.100.0.0

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Browsers seem to work.
Jan 17, 2014 12:23AM PST

"It is connected to the internet. All three browsers, IE, Firefox and Chrome are working. Browsing regular websites is not a problem.
However, despite having no issues browsing, while doing so, the network icon (bottom right) reports no internet connection.
In the network sharing center, shows a map of the network and also no internet access, despite being on the internet. Never ran in to this before."