Fix: The Internet is Connected, but the Browser is Not Working

A web browser needs a stable network connection for browsing the internet. However, a slight teething issue might cause the loss of network packets and result in problems with the browser. Checking the data packet loss from the terminal or command app, clearing the DNS cache, resetting the Windows network socket, and adjusting the system firewall settings can fix the network connection problem.

Every once in a while, your browser might get bugged with an issue. In most cases, there would be an accompanying error message as well. This goes a great length in helping the users get hold of the underlying issue and, more importantly, its relevant fix. But that isn’t always the case.

Sometimes, the issue might sound quite easy on paper, but finding its fixes turns out to be quite challenging. I recently tried to access a website, but the browser refused to establish the connection.

The first culprit straightaway seemed to be some network-related issue. But it turned out that the internet connectivity was all well and good.

I researched online and discovered that I wasn’t the only one facing this problem; many other users are on the same page.

Fortunately, I managed to get hold of a few workarounds that we’re able to rectify this issue. So without further ado, let’s start with the tutorial to fix the internet connection, but the browser is not working.

Data Packet Loss

Before moving ahead with any of the advanced fixes, you should re-verify that there are indeed no issues with the network. The best test is to ping Google and check if the data exchange occurs without losses.

If the total packets sent are equivalent to the received packets, then the loss% stands at 0, and the network issue might be negated. However, if there are indeed some packet losses, it points to your internet issues.

Here are the steps to check data packet loss:

1. Head over to the Start menu, and search & launch Command Prompt.
2. Type in ping google.com, and hit Enter
   

Now verify the results. If data exchange occurs with packet loss, you should try out some network-related tweaks, such as restarting the router, switching to a different network, etc.

However, if there is no data loss, you could try some other workarounds.

Clear DNS Cache

The web browser doesn’t deal with the website URL in plain text format; instead, it calls for its associated IP address. These IPs are provided by the DNS servers, which seek the same from the stored DNS cache.

If these DNS data get corrupted by malicious codes, scripts, or sites, then the DNS server wouldn’t correctly provide the IP address for the required site. To rectify this issue, you should consider deleting this DNS cache.

Here are the steps clear the DNS cache:

1. Go to the Start menu, search cmd, and launch the Command Prompt window
2. Now type in ipconfig /flushdns, and hit Enter.
   It will delete all the DNS cache.
3. Check if it can fix the internet connection, but the browser is not working.

Deleting the DNS cache would take a few extra seconds for the browser to get hold of the associated IP address. However, this is a one-time delay and would only last until the data is re-populated.

Reset Windows Network Socket

Windows Network Socket, or Winsock, contains information related to network configurations. If this information gets corrupted due to malicious codes or harmful programs, then the system’s internet may not work along the expected lines. In that case, the best bet is to reset this Network Socket. Here are the steps to do:

1. Launch Command Prompt as an administrator from the Start menu.
   
2. Type in the below command and hit Enter:

   netsh winsock reset

   

It shall reset your computer network. Once done, restart your PC and then check if it fixes the network issue

Update Network Drivers

Using an old or outdated network driver could result in several internet issues, including those we are currently dealing with. Therefore, using the latest version of these drivers is always advised.

Here are the steps to update the network drivers:

1. Keypress Windows + X shortcut keys, and select Device Manager from the menu.
2. Expand the Network Adapter section.
   You should find your driver listed there, either 802.11 B/G/N or A/C.
3. Right-click on it and select Update Drivers.
   
4. Click on Search automatically for driver software.
   

Windows will now search for the latest drivers online and, if found, will download and install them.

Once done, restart your PC and verify whether the issue is fixed.

Disable Windows Firewall

If your browser cannot access only a few sites, the issue could be related to the Windows Firewall being slightly overprotective.

So if you are sure of the site’s trustworthiness and believe that the Firewall has raised a false positive, you may consider temporarily disabling it.

1. Head over to the Start Menu and search Windows Defender Firewall.
2. Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall On or Off from the left menu bar.
   
3. Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall under both the Public and Private network sections.
   
4. Once done, try accessing the site and check whether the issue has been rectified.

Disabling the Firewall might prove to be a pretty risky bet. So make sure to re-enable it once you are done using the site.

Bottom Line

So with this, we round off the guide on fixing the internet connection, but the browser is not working. We have shared five different fixes for the same.

Also, check your data plan to see if you’ve exhausted your subscribed ISP plan’s bandwidth or data limit. Some mobile data plans suspend the internet but still display that the internet is connected.

Clearing the stored Domain Name Server (DNS) cache and resetting Windows Socket rectified the underlying issue.

Let us know which workaround spelled success in the comments section. Also, mention which method worked to fix the issue with the browser not working even though the internet was connected.

Lastly, if you've any thoughts or feedback, then feel free to drop in below comment box. You can also report the outdated information.