Step-by-Step Guide to Checking Network Connectivity Issues on Windows 11

1. Check Physical Connections

  • For Wired Connections: Ensure the Ethernet cable is securely plugged into both your laptop and the router/modem.
  • For Wireless Connections: Ensure your laptop’s Wi-Fi is turned on. Look for a physical Wi-Fi button on the laptop or check the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar to confirm it's enabled.

2. Check Wi-Fi or Ethernet Connection

  • Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar at the bottom-right.
  • Ensure you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. If you’re using an Ethernet connection, ensure the connection is listed as active.

3. Restart the Router/Modem

  • Unplug your router/modem from the power source, wait 30 seconds, and then plug it back in.
  • After the router/modem restarts, check your network connection again.

4. Run Windows Network Troubleshooter

  • Right-click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar.
  • Select Troubleshoot problems.
  • Follow the on-screen prompts as Windows scans for and attempts to fix any network issues.

5. Check IP Address and Network Settings

  • Press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
  • In the terminal, type ipconfig and press Enter. This will display the IP configuration for your network adapters.
    • Look for the IPv4 Address under Wi-Fi or Ethernet. If the IP starts with 169.254, it indicates your laptop isn't receiving an IP from the router.
    • Check if the Default Gateway is listed (usually the router’s IP, e.g., 192.168.1.1). If missing, there’s a connectivity issue.

6. Release and Renew IP Address

  • In the terminal (opened earlier), type the following commands, pressing Enter after each:
    1. ipconfig /release – This releases the current IP configuration.
    2. ipconfig /renew – This requests a new IP address from the router.
    3. ipconfig /flushdns – This clears the DNS cache, resolving DNS-related issues.

7. Reset the Network Adapter

  • Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
  • Go to Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
  • Click on Reset now. This will reinstall all network adapters and reset network configurations to default.
  • After the reset, your laptop will restart, and you’ll need to reconnect to the Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

8. Disable and Re-enable Network Adapter

  • Press Windows + X, select Network Connections.
  • Go to Advanced network settings.
  • Under Related settings, click on More network adapter options.
  • Right-click your active adapter (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Disable. After a few seconds, right-click again and choose Enable.

9. Check Network Drivers

  • Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
  • Expand Network adapters.
  • Right-click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter and select Update driver.
    • If there is an available update, follow the prompts to install it.
  • If the issue persists, right-click the adapter and select Uninstall device, then restart your laptop. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.

10. Check for Windows Updates

  • Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
  • Go to Windows Update and check for any updates.
  • Install available updates as they may include fixes for network-related issues.

11. Check Firewall or Antivirus Settings

  • Sometimes the firewall or antivirus software may block network access.
  • Temporarily disable the firewall by going to Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Turn off firewall for the current profile.
  • If your network works after disabling the firewall, add an exception or adjust firewall settings to allow your network.

12. Ping the Router

  • Open Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin) by pressing Windows + X.
  • Type ping 192.168.1.1 (replace 192.168.1.1 with your router’s IP address if different) and press Enter.
    • If you receive replies like Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32, your laptop is communicating with the router.
    • If the request times out, you may have an issue with the router, network settings, or network adapter.

13. Restart Your Laptop/Desktop

  • Sometimes a simple restart can help apply changes or fix temporary connectivity issues.

14. Test Network on Other Devices

  • Try connecting another device (e.g., phone, tablet, or another laptop) to the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
    • If the other device connects fine, the issue is likely with your Windows 11 laptop’s settings or hardware.
    • If no device can connect, there may be an issue with the router, modem, or ISP.

Additional Steps for Persistent Issues:

  • Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP): If multiple devices are unable to connect, there could be an outage or problem on your ISP’s end.
  • Router Factory Reset: As a last resort, reset your router to factory settings by pressing and holding the Reset button on the router for 10-30 seconds. This will clear all settings and restore it to default.

By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve common network connectivity issues on your Windows 11. Let me know if you need further assistance!