How to Fix the “No Internet, Secured” Error in Windows 10 and 11

By | 2024-10-01

There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing that dreaded “No Internet, Secured” message pop up on your Windows 10 or 11 computer. You’re connected to Wi-Fi, but for some reason, the internet just isn’t working. The good news? It’s usually a pretty easy fix, and I’m here to walk you through it step by step.

Let’s dive into a few solutions that can get you back online in no time!

What Does “No Internet, Secured” Mean?

Before we jump into the solutions, let’s quickly go over what this error means. When you see “No Internet, Secured,” it indicates that your Wi-Fi is connected, but there’s no actual internet access. The “secured” part simply means your connection is protected with a password, but unfortunately, the internet itself isn’t working.

This issue can pop up for a variety of reasons, like:

  • A problem with your network settings.
  • An issue with your router.
  • A temporary glitch in your computer’s Wi-Fi adapter.

Let’s go through a few easy fixes to get everything working again.

Fix 1: Restart Your Computer and Router

Sometimes, the easiest solution is also the most effective. Start by restarting both your computer and your Wi-Fi router.

  1. Restart your computer:
    • Click on the Start menu, then select Power > Restart.
  2. Restart your router:
    • Unplug the router from the power source, wait about 30 seconds, and then plug it back in. Wait a minute or two for the router to fully restart.

Once both your computer and router are back up, check to see if the problem is resolved.

Fix 2: Forget and Reconnect to the Wi-Fi Network

Sometimes, removing the Wi-Fi connection from your computer and reconnecting can help fix this issue. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Forget the network:
    • Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen).
    • Right-click your Wi-Fi network and select Forget.
  2. Reconnect to the network:
    • Click the Wi-Fi icon again, find your network in the list, and click on it to reconnect. Enter your Wi-Fi password if prompted.

This will refresh the connection between your computer and the router, which might solve the problem.

Fix 3: Update Your Network Adapter Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can sometimes be the culprit behind connection issues. You can update your network adapter driver manually:

  1. Open Device Manager:
    • Press Windows + X on your keyboard and select Device Manager.
  2. Find your network adapter:
    • Scroll down and expand the Network adapters section.
    • Look for your Wi-Fi adapter (it might be called something like “Intel Wireless” or “Realtek Wireless”).
  3. Update the driver:
    • Right-click on the adapter and select Update driver.
    • Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and let Windows find any updates.

If an update is found, install it and restart your computer.

Fix 4: Reset the TCP/IP Stack

Your computer uses something called the TCP/IP stack to communicate with the internet. Sometimes, resetting this stack can solve connectivity issues.

  1. Open Command Prompt:
    • Press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Run the following commands (hit Enter after each one):
    netsh int ip reset
    netsh winsock reset
    ipconfig /release
    ipconfig /renew
  3. Restart your computer and check if your internet connection is working again.

Fix 5: Change Your DNS Settings

If the above fixes haven’t worked, try changing your DNS settings. Sometimes, your ISP’s default DNS servers might be slow or causing connection issues.

  1. Open Network & Internet settings:
    • Right-click on the Wi-Fi icon and select Open Network & Internet settings.
  2. Change adapter options:
    • Click Change adapter options on the right-hand side.
    • Right-click your Wi-Fi connection and select Properties.
  3. Set custom DNS:
    • In the list, find and double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
    • Select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter the following:
      • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
      • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4 (these are Google’s public DNS servers).
  4. Click OK to save your changes and restart your computer.

Fix 6: Disable VPN or Antivirus Software

If you’re using a VPN or certain antivirus programs, they might be interfering with your internet connection. Temporarily disabling them could solve the issue.

  1. Disable VPN: If you’re using a VPN, try disconnecting from it and see if that restores your internet connection.
  2. Disable antivirus software: Some antivirus programs have network protection features that could cause problems. Open your antivirus software and temporarily disable it to test if this is the cause.

If the issue resolves after doing this, you may need to adjust your VPN or antivirus settings for future use.

The “No Internet, Secured” error can be a real headache, but most of the time, it’s something you can fix yourself in a few simple steps. Whether it’s updating your drivers, resetting the TCP/IP stack, or just restarting your router, one of these solutions should get you back online.

If you’ve tried all these steps and are still having issues, it might be worth reaching out to your internet service provider or checking your router for any firmware updates.

Let me know in the comments if this guide helped or if you have any other questions!

Author: dwirch

Derek Wirch is a seasoned IT professional with an impressive career dating back to 1986. He brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience that is invaluable to those embarking on their journey in the tech industry.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.