connection to server

Question

connection to server

Carol Miles 0

Failure to connect to server for Microsoft security updates and games. Connections to Ethernet as well as wi-fi are stable.

What is the best fix for this issue?

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2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

John Jefferson Doyon 65,815 Independent Advisor

Hi, I'm John! I will help you with this.

To help narrow down the issue:

Are you seeing a specific error message or error code?
Does this happen in Microsoft Store, Windows Update, or both?
Are you using a VPN, proxy, or third-party antivirus/firewall?

In the meantime, if you haven’t already already:

Forget and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network:

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
Find your current Wi-Fi network and click "Forget" next to it.
Restart your main router/modem, then reconnect to the Wi-Fi and enter the password again.

Flush the DNS cache:

Press Start and search for CMD.
Right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
In the Command Prompt, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each and wait:

ipconfig /flushdns

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

netsh winsock reset

Restart your PC and check if the issue persists.

If the issue persists, please provide more details by answering my questions.

Click "Add comment" below to let me know.

Regards,

John J.D.

Carol Miles 0 Reputation points

2026-03-09T22:44:55.4166667+00:00

error message - Both - VPN - Windows Defender
John Jefferson Doyon 65,815 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-09T22:46:20.0066667+00:00

Do you have a VPN enabled? If so, try disabling it temporarily and see if that makes a difference. You can check by going to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN or looking for a VPN app running in the background.
Carol Miles 0 Reputation points

2026-03-09T22:49:58.09+00:00

VPN is off
John Jefferson Doyon 65,815 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-09T22:53:59.1366667+00:00

I see, thank you for clarifying.

May I know which Microsoft services or apps are giving you the error message?

Also, could you provide me with a screenshot of your current Windows OS Build? To do this, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type winver and press Enter, capture a screenshot (make sure not to include your email address), and attach the screenshot in your next response.
Carol Miles 0 Reputation points

2026-03-09T23:10:53.8233333+00:00

Update and Security: windows update we couldn't check for updates because you aren't connected to internet. Retry Network and Internet: Status - network not connected. G5 games - cannot connect to server, try again later. I tried to screen shot but it failed. The information says Version 22H2 (OS Build 19045.6809) Windows 10 Pro; however, my paperwork from Staples says Operating System Windows 11 Dell Optiplex
John Jefferson Doyon 65,815 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-10T01:35:58.28+00:00

You mentioned the system shows Version 22H2 (OS Build 19045.6809). That build number actually belongs to Windows 10, not Windows 11. So the device is currently running Windows 10 Pro, even if the paperwork from Staples says Windows 11.

That by itself should not block internet access, but it helps clarify the situation.

A few quick questions first:

Can you open a website in a browser like Edge or Chrome?

Are other apps able to access the internet, or is it failing everywhere?

Are you connected through a home router or company network?
Carol Miles 0 Reputation points

2026-03-10T01:42:24.6133333+00:00

Yes, both browsers. I use Goggle a lot. Other apps are accessing internet. Microsoft Solitaire & Casual Games will not let me sign in either....it says I need internet connection. I am connected through a home router with my telephone company Frontier
Carol Miles 0 Reputation points

2026-03-10T01:44:30.0933333+00:00

Did not solve the problems. I have since answered questions as I receive them from you. tyvm for trying to assist me
John Jefferson Doyon 65,815 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-10T01:50:17.9233333+00:00
Thank you for letting me know.

If you haven't already, or just to be thorough, could you try this:

Enable IPv4:

Press Windows + R key to open Run dialog.

Type this and press Enter: ncpa.cpl

Right-click on your current Wi-Fi connection and select Properties.

Double click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)

Under "Use the following DNS server automatically," use these values: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

Click OK to save and restart your PC and connection.

If issue persists, reinstall the Wi-Fi driver

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.

Expand Network adapters and find your Wi-Fi adapter.

Right-click it and select Uninstall device, then check the box for Delete the driver software for this device (if available).

Click Uninstall, then restart your laptop. Windows should automatically reinstall the driver.

If issue still persists please try performing the steps provided by Kapil, a community member answer here: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-networking/windows-shows-no-internet-access-but-my-internet/2e9b593f-c31c-4448-b5d9-6e6b2bd8560c steps is in Windows 10 but should also work in Windows 11.

Let me know how it goes.
John Jefferson Doyon 65,815 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-10T01:50:58.7833333+00:00

Let me know how it goes.
Carol Miles 0 Reputation points

2026-03-10T02:10:29.1566667+00:00

I will try the answer by Kapil in the morning. Issue is still persisting. If all else fails, I will take it to the computer repair shop. Thank you so very much for trying to assist me with these issues. I do appreciate it.
John Jefferson Doyon 65,815 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-10T03:20:03.83+00:00

Glad to assist!

Answer 2

Follow these steps in order, testing Windows Update and Microsoft games after each step:

Check basic network and try another connection
- Since Ethernet and Wi‑Fi are stable, connect the PC to a different network (for example, a mobile hotspot or another home/office network).
- If Windows Update and games work on another network, the issue is likely with the current ISP or its DNS.
Check for ISP DNS issues with Windows Update
The Windows Update service can be blocked by corrupted DNS records at the ISP level.
- Open Command Prompt and run the nslookup commands from the article (for example nslookup sls.update.microsoft.com, nslookup fe2.update.microsoft.com, etc.).
- If the responses are missing address information, the network is likely affected by DNS corruption at the ISP.
- In that case, either:
  - Contact the ISP or network administrator and refer them to the DNS article so they can flush the affected Windows Update hostnames on their DNS servers, or
  - Temporarily connect to another network or configure the device to use an alternate DNS provider until the ISP fixes its DNS.
Restart modem/router and verify Ethernet/Wi‑Fi status
- Power off modem and router, wait at least 30 seconds, then power them back on in order (modem first, then router).
- On Windows 11, go to Settings > Network & internet and confirm the connection shows Connected.
Run Windows network commands on the PC
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run these commands in order, pressing Enter after each:
  - netsh winsock reset
  - netsh int ip reset
  - ipconfig /release
  - ipconfig /renew
  - ipconfig /flushdns
- Restart the PC and test again.
Reinstall the network adapter driver
- In Device Manager, expand Network adapters.
- Right‑click the Ethernet or Wi‑Fi adapter in use and select Uninstall device and check Attempt to remove the driver for this device, then select Uninstall.
- Restart the PC so Windows reinstalls the driver automatically.
- Test Windows Update and games again.
Use Network Reset (last resort on the PC)
- Go to Settings > Network & internet.
- On Windows 11, select Advanced network settings > Network reset.
- Select Reset now and confirm.
- After restart, reconnect to the network and test.

If the issue only occurs on the home network after these steps, and nslookup shows missing addresses for Windows Update hostnames, the best fix is for the ISP or network administrator to flush and correct their DNS records, or to use a different DNS provider/network until they do.

References:

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