After windows updates KB5041585 and KB5042099, I cannot access 90% of websites.

Question

Just about all websites I visit after these updates, I get x**** is unreachable and ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE. Even the sites that I can visit, they don't always load properly, missing videos, etc. I can get to Microsoft.com, but when I try to login, I get the unreachable. This behavior started after KB5042099 and KB5041585 were installed. I tried to uninstall them but no change. I then reinstalled them, again, no change.

Answer 1

Hi, GPL-FV

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

We understand that you're experiencing an issue where you can't access the vast majority of websites after the update. May I ask if you are experiencing this issue on all browsers?This may be caused by a problem with your network configuration and is also related to the browser configuration, we suggest you try the following:I.Reset the network1. Search for CMD, open and find the command prompt (, run in administrator) mode2. In the command box that pops up, enter the following commands in order (after each line is run, enter the next one)ipconfig /releaseipconfig /renewipconfig /flushdnsipconfig /registerdnsnetsh int ip resetnetsh winsock resetnetsh winhttp reset proxy3. Restart the computer to see if the problem can be solved.II. Reset Network SettingsTap windows+R, type inetcpl.cpl, open Internet Options, click Advanced, and check “Use SSL 3.0”, “Use TLS 1.0”, “Use TLS 1.1”, ‘Use TLS 1.2’, reboot the computer after applying them to see if the problem can be solved.III.Reset Proxy Server SettingsClick windows+R, type inetcpl.cpl, open Internet Options, click Connections, click LAN Settings, check if Proxy Server is checked, if so, uncheck it and click OK, restart your computer after applying it to see if you can solve the problem.IV.Change DNS (Note: Changing DNS may cause your internet speed to change, if you have slow internet speed problem after changing DNS, please restore the DNS address to the automatically obtained one.)1. Tap windows+R key and type ncpa.cpl2. Click the name of the network you are now connected to, open the Network Status window, click Properties, and double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP / IPv4) in the Network Properties window.3. Manually set the DNS servers to “8.8.8.8” and “8.8.4.4” (Google DNS) and restart your computer to see if the problem is solved.-If you are having this problem only in Chrome, then you can try:1: Open Google Chrome browser.2: Type Chrome://net-internals/#dns in the address bar of your browser and press Enter.3: Clear the host cache by clicking the button.4: After clearing the Chrome cache, try to reopen the website and then check if the issue has been resolved.-If the problem still persists, you can try the method of resetting the hosts file in the following link (Windows 11), before doing so, please copy the hosts file to your desktop for backup, and then paste the hosts file directly to the source directory to overwrite it if there is any problem.Once you are done, please follow the steps:How to reset the Hosts file back to the default - Microsoft Support-If that doesn't work, you can also try to restore your system via WinRE:- Boot your PC as if Windows is trying to load (spinning point), hold the power button for 5-10 seconds to perform a hard shutdownPerform this operation twice-- On the third boot, Windows will boot into the recovery environment, from which you can access System Repair, Safe Mode, Command Prompt ...... Click on “Advanced”.--Click on “Advanced Options”.-- Go to Troubleshooting - Advanced Options - Startup Repair-- See if Windows startup can be repaired on its own-- Go to Troubleshooting - Advanced Options - System Restore -- Check to see if there is a restore point you can return to.

If you have any progress, you are welcome to contact us anytime.

Best Regards

Nicholas.Z - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Thank you Nicholas for responding. It happened on both browsers I have, Edge and Firefox. All other devices on the network experienced no issues. The issue seems to be resolved, however, it came in a roundabout way. I was unable to the the ipconfig /release and /renew commands. I received "No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection* 9 while it has its media disconnected. I also received an RPC server unavailable. Researching the RPC server issue, I came across steps for the RPC services and the DHCP client to be running. While trying to get the DHCP client started and set to start Automatically, I encountered the error DHCP Client Service does not start. Error 5: Access Denied. So, researching that, I came across this and it seems to be the solution.

Open cmd line as administrator

Type the command - NET LOCALGROUP administrators "NT Authority\Local Service" /add

Reset winsock catalog -> netsh winsock reset catalog

Reboot.

After that, I could then access websites again. So far, I have not encountered any issues, so hopefully, this is the permanent fix.

I don't know enough about computers to understand what all this did, but it seems to work.

Thanks again for the help!

Answer 3

Hi, GPL-FV

Thank you for your reply!

We understand that you have encountered the problem that the DHCP client service cannot be started again, and you solved this problem by setting the built-in account permissions and resetting the Winsock directory. This is undoubtedly the best news!

In order to help other users who may encounter the same problem as you, I will mark your reply as "Answer". If you encounter other problems in the future, you are welcome to visit the Microsoft Community at any time!

Have a nice day!

Best Regards

Nicholas.Z - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 4

I had both updates since 8/16. Only today did my desktop change. I think that's pretty messed up. I get reminders that my computer will restart in 10 minutes but not your computer will work totally differently in 8 days. Can't get any sign in window to open for Microsoft account and I didn't consent to altering my personal settings. My taskbar was defaulted and my active account was logged off with no way in. Seriously considering Mac if System Restore doesn't work.

Answer 5

after KB5041585 the ASUS laptop would not boot. was able to download an image using the recovery key. but then the WiFi didn't work and as such had no internet. the WiFi drivers were listed as "not present". then using a Microsoft QR code which was on the screen connected to Microsoft support via cell, which recommended uninstalling the WiFi driver (which were not present) and then reboot, which i did. now the ASUS laptop which is not even one year old is a TOAST!