On a Windows PC, connecting to a network should be seamless. However, an “unidentified network error” occasionally appears when connecting to a new network. (or even to your home network). Windows is informing you that it is endeavoring to establish an internet connection but cannot. A problem with your PC, the internet connection, or the work connection may have caused the error. If you have difficulty establishing a connection, we will demonstrate the steps you can take to resolve an unidentified network error on Windows 11 in this article. The steps should also work for users of Windows 10.
How To Fix Quickly Unidentified Network Error On Windows 11?
Before beginning, there are some fundamental troubleshooting steps you can attempt. For example, ensure that the router is properly connected and that the laptop’s Quick Settings does not enable aircraft mode. You’ll also want to update Windows if there is a remedy for the flaw causing the network problem. Next, check to see if your Internet service provider (ISP) is also experiencing an outage in your area. Finally, try connecting your phone or another device to determine if a connection is established. If an outage occurs, you may need to contact customer service.
Windows can also remember other networks and retry connecting. And before proceeding, reboot your router to determine whether this resolves the Unidentified Network error.
Sometimes beginning with the fundamentals is sufficient to connect your Windows PC to the network. Next, check out the troubleshooting steps below, which you can perform within Windows if the error still exists.
Note: Windows 10 and Windows 11 are compatible with the options provided in this guide to resolve an Unidentified Network error.
Disable Windows Firewall
A misconfigured firewall may result in a connection problem. The good news is that turning off the Windows firewall is simple, but administrative privileges are required. If you use a third-party security suite, turn off its Firewall first. Using two software firewall programs is a recipe for frustration. To turn off Windows 11’s Firewall.
1 – Press the Windows key, enter Windows Security, and choose the first result.
2 – Choose Firewall & network protection from the sidebar on the left and click Public or Private for the network type.
3 – Under the Microsoft Defender Firewall portion, toggle the switch to turn it off.
Check if you can connect to the network after turning off the Firewall. If you can avoid it, that’s wonderful, but it’s not recommended. However, you can choose other options, such as running the Network and Internet troubleshooter. However, commencing with the option to Restore firewalls to default, as a misconfiguration could have occurred along the road.
Renew IP Address And Flush DNS Cache
Another issue could be that the PC needs current IP addresses and website identities. Like other devices, the DNS cache can become too full or contain corrupted files that prohibit a connection. A new beginning on the network work is provided by updating the IP. To update your IP address and clear your DNS cache.
1 – Press the Windows key.
2 – Enter PowerShell and click the Run as Administrator option on the right.
3 – Execute the following commands sequentially by pressing Enter after each one.
- ipconfig /release
- ipconfig /renew
- ipconfig /flushdns
- ipconfig /registerdns
Check to see if you can connect to the network work error-free after running the above commands.
Restart TCP/IP Stack
If renewing your IP address and clearing your DNS cache does not work, you can reset your TCP/IP stack. If the network error is caused by overlapping TCP/IP stacks or segments that fail to reach their destination, resetting the network will restore it to normal operation. It is also important to note that resetting the TCP/IP stack can release memory and CPU resources, enhancing system performance. Restarting the TCP/IP system. Enter the command below and press Enter while PowerShell is still running as Administrator.
netsh int ip reset
Once the command has been completed, restart Windows. Hopefully, the Unidentified Network error will be resolved, and you can connect to the network and the internet.
Update Network Card Driver
Consider updating the network card’s driver if the problem persists. To update the driver for your network card.
1 – Press the Windows key, input Device Manager, and click the first entry under Best Match.
2 – When Device Manager opens, navigate to the Network adapters node, right-click your adapter, and choose Update driver from the context menu.
3 – Choose Search automatically for drivers or Browse my computer for drivers to manually install device drivers if you’ve got an updated driver from the manufacturer.
If an update is detected, finalize the installation by following the on-screen instructions. If you restart, your PC should work after the driver has been installed.
It’s also worth noting that if your PC manufacturer has a software update program, you should check it. Drivers and other system updates are frequently available for your device, but Windows needs help locating them. If you press the Windows key and search for the manufacturer, you should find brand-specific software, including an app to apply updates. For example, Dell’s Dell Update app does an excellent job of providing updates.
The Bottom Line:
If you cannot connect your Windows 11 PC and receive an unidentified network error, implementing one of the above solutions should resolve the issue. Then, again, attempt the fundamental steps, such as restarting the PC, installing Windows Update, or rebooting the router. If it still does not work, further investigation will be required.
