How to get back online after a Windows 10 update breaks your internet access
If the PC no longer connects to the internet after an update, use this guide to fix the problem on Windows 10.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
AlthoughWindows 10updates are important to patch security vulnerabilities and improve system performance, it is a known fact that quality and feature updates can introduce unwanted problems.
Typically, one of the most common issues after installing an update is related to network connectivity. For example, slow speeds, unreliable or loss of connectivity using a wireless or wired connection resulting in problems accessing the internet and network resources, such as shared printers and folders.
Regardless of the reason, when a device cannot connect to the local network or internet after a recent update of Windows 10, there are many ways thatMicrosoft recommendsto fix the issue.
Thisguidewill walk you through several ways to resolve common network connection problems after installing an update on your device.
How to fix common network problems after update on Windows 10
If a quality update breaks the network connection, you can follow some basic troubleshooting steps to resolve the problem quickly.
Restart computer
Although it might be obvious, it’s not for everyone. Typically, a simple reboot can fix most common problems, including issues connecting to the network and the internet.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
To restart a device, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, open the web browser and confirm the internet is working, loading a website upon restart.
If the network icon in the notification area shows an active connection, but you cannot open a particular website, try to load a different site, as the problem could be with the website. You can also try using a different browser to confirm the problem is not the application.
Confirm network settings
The next step involves using command lines to confirm the problem is not something happening between the device and the router.
To check if the Windows 10 network configuration is working, use these steps:
This example tests the connection between the computer to the router with the10.1.4.1address:ping 10.1.4.1
In the command, remember to change the10.1.4.1for the router’s IP address
After you complete the steps, if the “Packets” field returns with “4” successful replies, the router’s connection is working, indicating that the problem could lie in the connection between the router and ISP. Or it could be the case that the ISP is currently experiencing issues.
If you can access the internet from your phone or another computer connected to the same network, the problem could be the device in question.
Enable Wi-Fi interface
If there’s no connection to the internet, the wireless interface may not be disabled.
To check and enable a Wi-Fi interface, use these steps:
Alternatively, you can also click the “Not connected” network icon from the taskbar notification area and click theWi-Fibutton.
If there is a physical button in the device, turn it on to enable the interface.
Reconnect Wi-Fi connection
On laptops, the problem could be the wireless adapter or signal, which you might be able to resolve by disconnecting and reconnecting to the network.
To reconnect to a Wi-Fi network, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you should be able to connect to the network and the internet.
You can alsocreate a report of the wireless connection history, which can help diagnose the issue.
Re-enable network adapter
Sometimes updates can inadvertently change settings without the user’s consent. For instance, an update could disable the adapter or a specific feature, such as Airplane mode, blocking the connection to the internet.
If the network adapter is not present in the Settings app, it could be a driver problem, or the adapter may be disabled.
To check and enable a network adapter on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter will enable and reconfigure automatically.
Disable Airplane mode
If the “Airplane” mode is enabled, you won’t be able to connect to the network. In the case that the update turned on the feature automatically or you forgot it was enabled, you need to make sure to disable it.
To turn off Airplane mode on Windows 10, use these steps:
Alternatively, you can also click the airplane icon in the taskbar and click theAirplane modebutton.
Recreate Wi-Fi profile
Every time you connect to a wireless network, the credentials, security, and other settings will save into a profile. If you are having trouble connecting to a particular network, the profile could be a problem.
To fix this problem, you can delete and recreate the profile using these steps:
After you complete the steps, use the web browser to confirm the internet is working again.
It is also possible to manage a Wi-Fi network with the netsh command-line tool, andin this guide, you can learn more about the process.
Reboot router
If the computer does not seem to be the problem, you can also restart the router, which can sometimes fix many common connectivity problems.
To restart the home router, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, allow three to five minutes for the router to start and check the connection.
Ping the connection
Opening the web browser and loading a website can confirm whether the internet is working. However, you can also use the ping command tool to check the connection.
To test the network connection with the ping command, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, if you see four successful replies, it indicates that the internet connection is working.
When using a wired connection, it is wise to change cables and ports on the switch to eliminate the possibility of problems with those elements.
In addition to the ping command, Windows 10 offers many other tools to troubleshoot and fix network problems.In this guide, you can learn eight of them.
How to fix connectivity using Network troubleshooter
Windows 10 also includes a troubleshooter tool that you can use to diagnose and repair common networking problems quickly.
To use the network troubleshooter on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the troubleshooter will scan and resolve any connectivity problem.
How to reset network stack using Command Prompt
You can also try resetting the TCP/IP stack and clearing any DNS information on Windows 10 to resolve the network problem.
To reset the network stack with commands, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, launch the web browser and confirm whether the internet connection is working.
How to reset network adapter using Settings
If you are still dealing with networking problems, Windows 10 has the option to reset all the Wi-Fi and Ethernet network adapters to fix most problems.
To reset all the network adapters on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the device will restart automatically, and after the reboot, you should be able to connect to the network and internet.
The process of resetting the networking settings means that you will need to re-enter the security key again. Also, you will have to reconfigure other networking software, such as VPN clients, as necessary.
How to update network adapter driver using Device Manager
An older version of the network driver can sometimes cause compatibility issues with a Windows 10 update. Usually, you can fix this by updating the driver to the latest version.
Update network adapter online
If the device is experiencing unreliable connectivity but it is still possible to connect to the internet, you can check for driver updates using Windows Update.
To install a newer version of the network adapter driver, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the new driver will download and install automatically to fix the problem. If you cannot find an update, then Windows Update does not have newer drivers, in which case, you may need to update the adapter manually (see the steps below).
Update network adapter offline
If you cannot connect to the internet, you will have to download the driver manually from your manufacturer support website using another device and bring it over using a USB flash drive. You should always use the manufacturer’s instructions to complete the process, but you can always use the steps below.
To update a network adapter on Windows 10, connect the USB flash drive with theextracted files, and use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the new update will install to fix the compatibility problem.
How to rollback network adapter driver using Device Manager
If the problem started after applying a driver update, you could roll back to the previous version to temporarily fix the network problem until a newer update becomes available.
To restore a previous version of a driver, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, test the connection with the ping command or load a website with your preferred web browser.
How to uninstall network adapter driver using Device Manager
If the problem occurs after applying a cumulative system update, it could indicate a corruption with the driver or the update made unwanted changes. In this specific situation, you can remove the driver manually, and then Windows 10 will try to reinstall it automatically.
To remove a network adapter driver, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will detect and reinstall the driver automatically, fixing the network problem.
If the system cannot find the appropriate driver, you can use the previoussteps to download and install the network adapter manually.
How to disable security apps to fix network problems on Windows 10
On Windows 10, sometimes, third-party security software (such as antivirus and firewall) can prevent the device from accessing the internet. If this is the case, you can determine if the application is the problem by temporarily disabling it and testing the network connection.
The steps below will help you to disable the security features built into Windows 10. If you have a different solution, check your software support website for more details.
Disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus
To temporarily disable Microsoft Defender on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, test the connection by going to “Bing.com” or “Google.com” on your device.
You can always revert the changes by restarting the computer or enabling theReal-time protectionoption again instep 5.
Disable Microsoft Defender Firewall
To temporarily disable the Microsoft Defender Firewall, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, confirm whether the internet is working by loading a website with your web browser.
You can enable the firewall again using the same instructions outlined above, but instep 5, make sure to turn on the"Microsoft Defender Firewall"toggle switch.
How to uninstall update to fix network problems on Windows 10
Although system updates are meant to resolve issues and improve the experience, it is not uncommon to see buggy updates through Windows Update that can cause connectivity problems. If you suspect a recent update is causing networking issues, you can remove it to mitigate the problem until a newer update becomes available.
Uninstall quality update
To uninstall a quality update on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will remove the update to allow the network adapter to work again.
Uninstall feature update
When the problem occurs after installing a major update (such as the October 2020 Update), you can also remove the update to roll back to the previous version, but the steps will be slightly different.
Important:Although rolling back to a previous version is a non-destructive process, creating a temporary full backup of your PC is recommended in case something goes wrong. Also, the rollback option is only available during the first ten days after upgrading. After this time, you won’t be able to undo the changes unless you re-install the version you want using aclean installation.
To uninstall a feature update, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will roll back to the previous setup when the network was working correctly.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
