Why Can’t my PC Connect to the Internet, But Other Devices Will

Nowadays, people mostly use PCs to check emails, stream content, or work on Sheets. All in all, everything is connected online and requires a seamless connection. Therefore, when you can use Wi-Fi seamlessly on your smartphone but can’t use it on a PC, you may wonder why your PC can’t connect to the internet, but other devices will. 

Indeed, it is a genuine concern for thousands of users, considering you may not be the only one going through the issue. So why does it happen? More importantly, how do we fix this issue? 

That is exactly what we will learn by the end of this post! So make sure you read it through!

What is Causing Issues with Connectivity on Your PC

Identifying why your PC cannot connect to the internet while others can. Once you have the answer, you can fix the issue. Without knowing the cause or the context of the error you experience, you may be unable to fix it alone. 

If we talk specifically about the issue here, not so many causes lead to this situation. When the internet source is usable, and your PC does not connect, it gives you a lot of clarity on the error. Unlike other internet-related issues, the connection or the ISP is not a culprit here. Which means you need to work on your PC’s connectivity.

This leaves us with the limited issues, such as – 

1. Outdated Network Adapter Drivers
2. Connectivity Configuration Issues
3. Hardware Errors

So now we need to identify which of these three issues is giving your PC a hard time connecting to the internet. We can do so by trying to fix these issues. This way, if there is a problem, it will be resolved; if not, you will get an idea of what things to check if you can’t connect to the internet, but other devices can!

3 Ways to Fix the Can’t Connect To Internet Error on Windows

So clearly, since the internet connects easily to other devices, the issue lies only in the device. Still, just to be double sure, restart your router and PC to ensure that it is not a glitch. If it is a glitch, the issue may be resolved only by restart. Also, you can switch to a LAN cable for your network, and it will work. 

However, if it does not, check out the following ways you can try. 

Fix 1 – Update Your Network Adapter/Wi-Fi Driver

The Network Adapter driver on your PC is responsible for connectivity on your PC. If the adapter is not functioning properly or requires an update, you may face similar connectivity problems. Also, since you can see that the issue is in the computer only, this is the most common issue that you need to resolve. Updating your Wi-Fi or network adapter drivers can help you skip the problem completely. 

There are several ways you can update Wi-Fi drivers on your PC. However, the best is the one that can be carried out easily and resolves the issue instantly. You can go online and search for the updates manually, but that is too risky as if you download malware or a wrong file, it may ruin your PC. 

The ideal way to download updates for your Wi-Fi/network adapter drivers is by using the Advanced Driver Updater. It works in three easy steps – 

Step 1 – Download and install the tool on your PC.

Step 2 – Run the application using the Start Scan Now button to initiate the process.

Step 3 – Use the scan result to check the status of existing drivers on your PC.

You do get an option to update the drivers individually. Otherwise, use the Update All button to initiate a batch operation. After the updates are installed, disconnect the LAN connection and try using the internet on your PC using Wi-Fi. It should now work properly. 

Fix 2 – Run Network Troubleshooter

If you still face an issue after updating the drivers, chances are that the Network Settings require troubleshooting. Before you go ahead and change any existing settings to make the situation worse, we recommend you use Windows Troubleshooting to get rid of the issue. 

Here’s how you can try it out.

Step 1 – Press Win+I to open system settings
Step 2 – In system settings, scroll down to find the Troubleshoot option.

Step 3 – In Troubleshoot, go to Other troubleshooters and opt for Network & Internet.

Step 4 – Click on Run to initiate the troubleshooting process.
Step 5 – You can choose from the existing issues, or you can describe your issue and run the troubleshooting.

After the processing, the tool will resolve your issue, and you can use the internet again. If it does not work as you expected, do not worry; we have another fix waiting for you!

Fix 3 – Use a Network Reset

If you have made multiple changes to the setting in hopes of fixing the issue and have had zero luck, chances are that these changes have caused the internet to stop working. The best way to handle the issue is by resetting your network completely to its factory settings. It is an added feature in Windows 11 that can help you if your PC can’t connect to the internet, but other devices will. 

Here’s what you have to do – 

Step 1 – Press Win+I to open the System Settings.
Step 2 – From the Left Pane, click on Network and Internet.

Step 3 – Scroll down to find Advanced Network Settings. Click on it.
Step 4 – In the Advanced Network Settings, you may find the Network Reset Option. Enter it.

Step 5 – Click the Reset Now button to let the PC finish its job.

This reset will put your PC’s network settings to the default settings, which means if you had used a proxy, a dedicated VPN, or DNS settings, all of it will be set back to basics. Making it easier for you to use the internet again.

It can be frustrating to see that only your PC cannot connect to the internet while other devices will easily do so. Try these fixes, and let us know which did the trick for you. Our money is on Advanced Driver Updater, as that makes it easier for thousands of users to resolve Wi-Fi and network adapter issues.

Thanks for reading! Good luck.

Learn  – How to Update Drivers On Windows 11