Cannot access web pages with any browser - windows 11 and internet access working (Solved)

Question

I’ve trawled through the web for days and cannot find a useful answer to my problem so this is my last hope!

For the last few days I have been unable to access any website with any browser on my Dell Laptop running Windows 11. Everything returns ERR_CONNECTION_CLOSED. All other internet connections seem to be working (Outlook, Teams, Spotify etc.). Also any changes to OneDrive files are successfully synced to the cloud.  Laptop is using wifi and I have no ability to try a wired connection. I can successfully ping www.google.com from the command line so DNS access is working. I feel the problems started after the last windows upgrade but I can’t be 100% sure of that. Only other recent change was I enabled OneDrive (which had been disabled). Things I’ve tried:

1.     Chrome, Edge and Brave browsers – no change. 

2.     Running a different network – connected to my phone hotspot. Same behaviour.

3.     Disabling Firewall (Windows Defender). No change – either before or after reset. 

4.     Disabled app and browser control in Windows Defender. No change – either before or after reset

5.     Resetting TCP and WINSOCK settings from command line.

6.     Disabling IPv6 (based on a suggestion online)

I am at a loss and don’t want to wipe my PC and reinstall windows but I don’t know what else to try. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I'm running into a similar problem. My laptop is brand new with Windows 11. I can go to YouTube and gmail, but go to the site where I need to download Scrivener. I am not tech savvy, nor even confident in the little I know. The information above looked like a different language and what I understood left me nervous that I'd mess up my brand new laptop. Is there something in baby steps and very simple language to help here?

Answer 2

I really wish I knew HOW to follow all the steps indicated above.

Answer 3

Hi DiarmuidCorry, I am a Microsoft user like you, trying to assist you in solving this problem together!

According to your description, did it happen a few days ago?

Have you installed any applications or updated your system before this? Or some other operations. If there are any supplements, please reply with detailed information

Based on the current situation, there are the following troubleshooting suggestions. If there are any duplicates, please ignore them

1. Network reset

Netsh winsock reset

Netsh int IP reset

Ipconfig/release

Ipconfig/renew

Ipconfig/flushdns

Ipconfig/registerdns

Inetcpl.cpl (press Enter key) (will open the Internet properties interface)

Click on "Advanced" in the "Internet Properties" interface,

Click "Restore Advanced Settings", then click "Reset" (there is no "Reset" button in Windows 11, please ignore this step).

Then find in the selection box above:

Using TLS1.0 → →

Using TLS1.1 → →

Using TLS1.2 → →

Use TLS1.3 (experiment), check these 4 and click OK.

Ncpa.cpl (press Enter) (will open the Network Links panel)

In the Network Link Panel, right-click on the network adapter you want to set ->Properties, and double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) in the Network properties window.

Select "Automatically obtain IP address",

Select "Automatically obtain DNS server address",

Click "OK". ◆

2. Cancel proxy and VPN services (if any)
3. Overlay installation with ISO files

You can try downloading a newer version of the ISO image file from the official website to overwrite the installation. This operation will retain your files and software, only for system repair and update installation

Download Windows 11 at the following link:

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/win...

Download the ISO image for Windows 11, double-click on Mount, run setupexe, and follow the instructions to complete the download.

Choose to keep personal files and apps

This will not affect your current system configuration and data, but if you decide to take the above action, it is recommended to back up important files.

4. Perform clean startup to eliminate third-party software interference

Uninstall all third-party antivirus and system optimization software from the device first

① Press the WIN+R combination key to open the Run dialog box;

② Enter msconfig during runtime;

③ Find "Services", click "Hide All Microsoft Services" in the bottom left corner, and then click "Disable All";

④ Click on the "Enable" tab, then click to open the "Task Manager";

⑤ , disable all options during startup;

⑥ Then click "Restart"

Attention: Restore password login mode before execution (Windows hello may affect)

How to perform clean startup and troubleshoot problematic application services in Windows

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-t...

If it returns to normal, please refer to the above link for guidance to investigate the specific affected applications

The above steps can be repeated for verification and exchange order

I hope the above suggestions can help you! If the issue cannot be resolved, please click "Reply" to provide feedback on relevant information and pictures

Answer 4

Thank you for your very comprehensive reply. I found the solution to the problem based on trying to answer your second question about updates, but the rest of your response is a very useful summary of steps to take for networking and connection issues and I thank you for it.

To answer your question about updates I went to the "Uninstall Programs" page and ordered the program list in revers chronological order (most recent at top of list). To my surprise there had been quite a few updates in the last week. I started to uninstall them one by one. Several related to Dell SupportAdvisor (which didn't solve my browser problem but did solve some other annoying issues on the PC). The culprit turned out to be an update to my backup program (Acronis Cyber Protect). Removing this solved my problem. Why a backup program killed my web access I have no idea and I will investigate further but for now my problem is solved.

Thank you again for your response.

Answer 5

Thank you for your feedback!

Glad your problem was resolved.