How To Fix a Broken Internet Connection (Windows)

If you get this error message and you are reasonable sure it is a correct URL, you may not be connected to the internet.


When you get this message, in most cases it means your internet connection is no longer connected.
This could be for several reasons:
1. Your ISP is having problems.
2. Your router is not operating correcly.
3. Windows is not understanding the router.

You could call your ISP, but they will just ask you make sure it is not a local probelem with your PC or Router.
Besides waiting for someone to respond to your call could take a while.

Check network icon on task bar.  If it says "Local" only and not "Local and Internet", then you are having
problem and not just a faulty web site.


Go to the "Control Panel" and double click on "Network and Sharing Center".  You will see something like this.

If any of the connecting lines have a red X in it the connection is lost.

Click on the "Diagnose and repair" task in the left column. This will make sure Window is set up correctly to communicate with the "Local Area Network (LAN)".


Windows will recomend steps to take to repair the problem, usually it wants to recreate you IP address.
Follow its recommendation. If it says it cannot repair the problem, then the problem is with your router or ISP.

Rebooting the router will often fix the problem.  You can do this by  simply pulling out the AC adapter from the back of the router, count to 20 and plug it back in.

This doesn't always work and you will have to reboot the entir network.  This involves shutting down all the computer on the LAN and then unpluging the AC adapter on the router.  If you also have a DSL or cable modem between the router and where you ISP enters the house, you need to unplug the AC adapter to that device also.


Wait five minutes and reconnect the devices in reverse order, starting with the DSL or Cable modem.
By the time the last computer is booted up your router should be configured and ready to go.

Check the network icon in the task bar to see if it now says "Local and Internet".  If so you are set.
If not try one more time to repair the network in "Network and Sharing Center".  When my computer reboots I have to do this everytime to regenerate a new IP address.

Take notes of everything you did if it didn't fix the problem, because now you have to contact your ISP