Unidentified network in Windows: easy solution to the error (2022)

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In this guide we reveal the solutions to the Unidentified Network error in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Both Windows 11 and Windows 10 receive updates constantly. It is true that new versions serve to implement functions. However, the main purpose of updates is to fix bugs. Despite having such an active development, bugs sometimes pop up in the Microsoft operating system. One well known by users is the one that prays unidentified network, which prevents you from accessing the Internet despite being connected to a nearby network. What is the solution? How can you make it disappear once and for all? If you are having connectivity problems on your PC, you have come to the right place.

Network errors can be addressed from various perspectives. Here we explain how to solve the most common problems

In this guide we include several methods that will allow you to solve the Unidentified network error on Windows. We have written this article based on the latest version of the operating system, that is, Windows 11. However, the indications that we provide you can also be followed in Windows 10. Let’s start!

First of all, turn off airplane mode

Airplane mode is also available on Windows. Keeping it activated by mistake can cause connection failures

Although it may seem like a feature exclusive to mobile phones, the Airplane mode is present in Windows. This is so because some devices, especially tablets, have mobile data connections that must be deactivated when taking a flight. Keep on the Airplane mode prevents the system from successfully connecting to a network, even if it is a connection wifi or ethernet. In that case, the only thing you need to do to disable this feature is the following:

1. Click on the wifi, battery and speaker icons that you will see on the taskbar.
2. Doing so will open the windows control center.
3. Next to the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth controls, you will find the option Airplane modeas shown in the image above.
4. Click on the button Airplane mode to disable it if necessary.

Delete the network and access it again

It is well known by all that restarting a computer or a connection is, in most cases, an effective solution to solve errors. In this case, before getting into more complex solutions, we suggest that you delete the network and connect to it again. If it’s a wired network, physically unplug the cable, wait a few seconds, and plug it back in. On the contrary, if you are connected via Wi-Fido this:

1. open the windows settings.
2. Accede to Network and Internet.
3. click on Wifi.
4. Click on Manage known networks to see a list of all the networks that the system has memorized.
5. Next to each network you will see the button stop remembering. Click on it to ask Windows to forget a network.

After following these steps, connect to the network as if for the first time. Remember that you are going to need to have on hand (or remember) the wifi password To access.

Use the troubleshooter

There are many error solvers included in Windows. One of them helps you regain connectivity

Windows 11 comes with a number of problem solvers. They are assistants that, in a very simple way, help the user to diagnose various faults within the system. In the configuration you will find a section that collects all the problem solvers, including the one that allows you to solve network incidents. This is how you access them:

1. Opens Setting and enter System.
2. Access the section Solve problems.
3. Click on Other troubleshooters.
4. click on Runbutton that you will find to the right of Internet connections.

Then follow the steps in the wizard to detect what is the error that prevents you from accessing the internet on Windows 11.

Reset network protocols

Networks work thanks to a series of addresses, such as IP addresses, which uniquely identify each computer. But be careful, if there IP address conflicts, your computer could be left without an Internet connection. Typically, the router is in charge of assigning the numbering to each device and, in this way, duplication is avoided. Despite this, errors may eventually appear in the configuration. The best in these cases is reset network protocols. You have it very easy if you follow these steps:

1. Open a window of Terminal with administrator privileges. Do it with the keyboard shortcut Windows + X and selecting from the menu Terminal (Admin).
2. run the command netsh winsock reset.
3. Then throw netsh int ip reset.
4. Finally, enter the command ipconfig /flushdns.

At this point, we recommend Restart your computer to verify that the changes have taken effect.

Update network card drivers

Keeping your drivers up to date is ideal if you don’t want to deal with connection failures

The hardware drivers are those programs that are responsible for establishing proper communication between the components and the operating system. In fact, we can see them with interpreters that facilitate communication in both elements. A controller (also known as drivers) outdated can be a source of problems, causing annoying errors like unidentified network. Fortunately, checking that you have the latest version is as simple as this:

1. Open Windows search and type Device administrator.
2. In the list that will appear, all the categories of devices that are on your PC are shown. In this case, you are interested network adapters.
3. Right click on the network adapter that is giving you problems and click on update driver.
4. Follow the steps to make sure the drivers is in its latest version.

Another option is visit the manufacturer’s website, either the one that built your equipment or the one that sells the adapter, and download the latest available driver. Remember that there are some programs to find out what your computer’s hardware is that will help you identify the brand and model of your network card.

Download the latest version of Windows

If having the latest versions of drivers is crucial, the same can be said for the windows version. And we don’t mean that you upgrade to Windows 11, in case you have Windows 10. Rather, that you get the most current patches and updates. How to do it?

1. Open system settings and go to the section Windows Update.
2. Click the button Search for updates.
3. Wait for all available packages to download.
4. Your computer may restart several times during the process.

Disable network protections

There are two network protections that, despite increasing the security of your PC, sometimes hinder connectivity. Which ones are we referring to?

• Windows firewall. Firewall is software that blocks certain connections in order to prevent the entry of malicious software and other security breaches. In newer versions it is called Windows Defender Firewall. With a quick search you locate it and you can deactivate it.
• antivirus. These types of tools sometimes mistakenly block some applications that connect to the Internet. Therefore, you might have the feeling that you do not have access to the network.

Disabling both protections will allow you to determine if the problem of unidentified network it is caused by these tools or not. Obviously, our advice is to temporarily disable them. Once you have detected at what point the failure occurs, recover the security software that you use regularly.

Turn off proxy or VPN

Here we have already explained what is a VPN and how it protects your privacy. However, the use of these services causes connection errors at specific times. Deactivate any proxies or VPNs you have set up is a recommendation that we should give you if you want to find out why the error occurs unidentified network. If you find that the problem is not caused by these services, reconfigure them on your computer.

Check the status of the router

There are many error solvers included in Windows. One of them helps you regain connectivity

We close this guide by looking at another key element in any Internet connection: the router. If this device is failing, your computer may not have the necessary connectivity. What failures are the most common?

• The router has a physical problem. It could be a badly connected cable or it has overheated.
• The service provider is failing. It is true that it is not the most usual, but the operators sometimes suffer from failures and leave their users without Internet. As is evident, the router will continue to work normally, emitting the corresponding Wi-Fi signal. But don’t be fooled: despite seeing the network, you won’t have an Internet connection.
• Wi-Fi signal is poor. To solve this problem, we have already given you some tips to improve the signal of the router at home. Look at them.

Related topics: Windows

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