The internet is a lot of fun, but what if you are unable to access it. What should you do when you get the “Unidentified network” error?

In case you are unable to connect to the router and are getting “Unidentified network” error, along with “no internet access” in the network connection window, don’t lose heart. In most cases, simple troubleshooting steps can help fix the underlying issues, allowing you to enjoy the net like before.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll discuss all the necessary steps to fix the unidentified network issue on Windows 10/Windows 7. So let’s dive right in.

First, Test the Internet

It is possible that the problem may not be with the Internet itself but rather with a specific website or application. Therefore, before you do anything else, check whether the internet is working.

Open your internet browser and visit google.com. If the page loads, it means your internet is working fine and the problem is with the specific website that you are trying to access.

Solution 1 – Resolve Issues with the Router or Modem

In case you are sure the problem is with the internet, first check if there are any issues with the modem or router. Since every networking device works a bit differently, the following steps are meant to serve as a rough guide only. For specific details, we recommend you to check the modem or router manual.

Switch off the router or modem and then switch it back after a couple of minutes. Now check if you are able to access the internet. If not, perform the steps shown below.

For Wired Connections

• Make sure the Ethernet cable is properly connected to the PC
• Make sure the same cable is also connected to the modem or router
• Check there’s no damage to this cable
• Check all cables are securely connected in the router. At times, a loose cable is the cause of no internet access
• Make sure the cable of your router or modem is securely connected to the port
• In case you use a powerline adapter, wireless access point, or any other netwrorking equipment, make sure the connections are working fine

For Wireless Connections

• Make sure the WiFi light on the router is turned on. In case it is not, inform your ISP and ask for assistance
• Try to reconnect to your network. If it is available, enter the password correctly

In case the problem persists, move on to the next solution.

Solution 2 – Update Your Network Card Driver

An obsolete or malfunctioning network card driver can cause internet connectivity issues. You can update the network card driver manually or automatically. While the latter is a far easier and much faster option, we have listed both the methods below, so you can decide which one will work better for you.

Update the Network Card Driver Manually

• Press Windows key + X key simultaneously to launch Device Manager
• In the Device Manager window, locate and expand network adapters
• Right-click your network adapter and then click Update driver
• Now click Search automatically for updated driver software
• Wait until Windows is able to find a driver and reboot windows

At times, Windows is unable to find the latest driver. In that case you can uninstall the problematic driver and reinstall it.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Press Windows key + X key simultaneously to launch Device Manager
• In the Device Manager window, locate and expand network adapters
• Right-click your network adapter and then click Uninstall device
• After the system has uninstalled the driver, restart Windows so that it can reinstall the network adapter driver

Update Network Driver Automatically

Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:

• You can update device drivers automatically
• The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
• The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
• Automatic driver updates are 100% safe

Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.

Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app

Step 2
Scan all devices

Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically

 

Start Download

 

Solution 3 – Run the Network Troubleshooter

It’s worth giving the in-built network troubleshooter a try. You may just be lucky enough that this tool will resolve the problem without any help from you.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Press Windows key + I key simultaneously
• In the Settings window, browse to Network and Internet
• Click Network troubleshooter
• Let the tool run and wait for it to finish

Now check whether the problem is fixed. If not, you may need to renew the IP address.

The root cause of this problem could be your IP address configuration. To fix the issue, you need to release the current IP and renew the IP address configuration.

Here are the steps to follow:

You may also try flushing the DNS to check if that has some effect. Here’s what you need to do:

• Type this command in the command prompt

Once you’ve run these commands, exit command prompt. Now check whether the issue is fixed or not.

Some users were able to fix the problem by resetting the system’s TCP settings. We recommend you to give it a try. Here are the steps to follow:

Solution 6 – Temporarily Disable the Antivirus Program

Sometimes, this error occurs because of a third-party antivirus program. Therefore, you should check whether that is the case with you or not.

Disable your third party antivirus program temporarily. The exact steps may differ from one software to another, but you can use these steps for reference:

• Right-click your antivirus program’s icon in the system tray (Those using Avast Antivirus must click on the orange icon)
• Disable the software temporarily, say for 1 hour (Avast users need to highlight Avast shields control and then select Disable for 1 hour)

Now check whether you are able to access the internet or not. If you are, you may choose to disable the third-party antivirus software permanently and use the in-built Windows Defender or some other third-party antivirus software.

Solution 7 – Temporarily Turn Off Windows Firewall

It is possible that the Windows Defender Firewall, an in-built security application that manages as well as filters network transmissions, might be the cause of this error. To rule out this possibility, turn Windows Defender Firewall off temporarily.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Press Windows key + I
• In the Settings window, locate Windows Defender Firewall and choose Windows Defender Firewall
• Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off in the left-hand side
• Check both Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) boxes
• Click OK

Now open your internet browser and see if you are able to connect to the internet or not.

Solution 8 – Set Unidentified Network as Public or Private

Another solution that has worked for some users is setting the current unidentified network as public or private.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Press the Windows logo key on your keyboard and type secpol.msc and then click secpol.msc
• Click on Network List Manager Policies in the left pane and then double click on Unidentified Networks in the right pane
• Under the Location type box, select Private and select User can change location under the User permissions box
• Click the Apply button and then click OK

Solution 9 – Change DNS Servers

You may also get this error because of a faulty DNS server. Here’s what you need to do: