How to Troubleshoot Network & Internet Problems

Sat, 09/19/2009 - 13:23 — Ciprian

This episode of our Windows 7 networking series is about how to troubleshoot networking problems. With the help of the network and Internet troubleshooting wizards, anyone can identify the root cause of any networking issue and fix it in minutes. In this tutorial I will show how to start the network and Internet troubleshooting wizards and how to work with them so that you understand what's wrong with your network and how to fix things.

How to Start the Network and Internet Troubleshooting Wizards

One of the easiest ways to access the network and Internet troubleshooting wizards is to open the Network and Sharing Center and click on the 'Troubleshoot problems' link.

Network and Internet Troubleshooting

An alternative is opening Control Panel and searching for the word 'trouble'. The first result will be the Troubleshooting link. Click on it.

Network and Internet Troubleshooting

There you will see several types of troubleshooting tasks. Click on 'Network and Internet'.

Network and Internet Troubleshooting

In the Network and Internet Troubleshooting window you have several options. Use them as follows:

Internet Connection - this can help when you are connected to a network but the Internet doesn't seem to work or you have trouble accessing particular websites;
Shared Folders - use this when you have problems accessing shared files and folders on other computers from your network;
HomeGroup - if you have problems viewing computers or shared files and folders in your HomeGroup, it is recommended to use this option;
Network Adapter - this comes in very handy when you have problems with your wireless or network adapters and anything that seems to be related to your physical connection to the network;
Incoming Connections - this is useful when other computers have trouble connecting to your computer's shared files and folders;
Connection to a Workplace Using DirectAccess - this can be used when having problems connecting to enterprise network domains and it works only for Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 7 Enterprise users.

Network and Internet Troubleshooting

Start the Network and Internet Troubleshooting Wizards from the Command-Prompt

The network and Internet troubleshooting wizards can also be started from the command line, using the parameters below. All you need is to copy and paste these commands in the Run window (press the Windows key + R) or in the Command Prompt:

To open the Internet Connections troubleshooter - msdt.exe -id NetworkDiagnosticsWeb;
To open the Shared Folders troubleshooter - msdt.exe -id NetworkDiagnosticsFileShare;
To open the HomeGroup troubleshooter - msdt.exe -id HomeGroupDiagnostic;
To open the Network Adapter troubleshooter - msdt.exe -id NetworkDiagnosticsNetworkAdapter;
To open the Incoming Connections troubleshooter - msdt.exe -id NetworkDiagnosticsInbound.

How to Work With the Network and Internet Troubleshooting Wizards

Once you start one of the available wizards for troubleshooting, click on Next. For this article, I chose the Network Adapter troubleshooting wizard which seemed to be the most used in our home network.

Network and Internet Troubleshooting

Depending on your hardware configuration, you may be asked to select the network adapter to diagnose. If you have problems with your wireless connection select Wireless Network Connection, otherwise select Local Area Connection. When done, click on Next.

Network and Internet Troubleshooting

The troubleshooting wizard will now start the diagnostics process and show you a progress bar like the one below.

Network and Internet Troubleshooting

In case a problem was found, it will show you a summary of the problem and the steps you need to follow in order to fix it. Follow these steps and then click on 'Check to see if the problem is fixed'.

Network and Internet Troubleshooting

If the problem is now fixed, it will tell you that 'Troubleshooting has completed'. Click on Close and you are done.

Network and Internet Troubleshooting

NOTE: if the troubleshooting wizard hasn't detected any problems but you still have issues, it might mean that you used the wrong wizard. In this case, try another wizard from the list which is related to the symptoms you are experiencing.

Conclusion

Windows 7 has a very complete list of troubleshooting wizards which can help you identify the root cause of your networking problems and ways to fix them. In two months of using it, I never had a networking problem which Windows 7 couldn't identify correctly. The instructions I received helped me fix most issues by myself. When not, they contained very useful information which helped in the dialog with my Internet provider and their technical support people understood what's happening and what they need to fix.

If you have other useful tips about how to troubleshoot networking problems in Windows 7, don't hesitate to share them in a comment.

What is the Network and Sharing Center?
Network Locations Explained
How to Connect to Wireless Networks
How to Connect to Hidden Wireless Networks
Transfer Files Between Devices & Your Windows 7 PC via Bluetooth
The HomeGroup Feature & How it Works
How to Customize Network Sharing Settings in Windows 7
Share Libraries or Folders Using the Sharing Wizard
Share Libraries or Folders Using Advanced Sharing
An Overview of System Recovery Options for Windows 7

Comments

i have just bought a new

Anonymous (not verified) - 01/15/2010 - 01:16

i have just bought a new laptop windows 7 and when i tried to connect to wireless broadband it wont. all the other laptops are fine on this network but they are not windows 7. the wireless button is on on the laptop. please help.

Can you share more details

Ciprian - 01/15/2010 - 19:35

Can you share more details about the issue?
Explain what you are doing, what are the error messages you are receiving, etc.

Get rid of the semicolons and

Anonymous (not verified) - 01/18/2010 - 07:59

Get rid of the semicolons and the period after the msdt.exe examples

i have the same problem i

Anonymous (not verified) - 01/27/2010 - 23:46

i have the same problem i just bought windoes 7 and it doesnt connect to the wireless connection all the other laptops are fine

I just installed a new

Stepen (not verified) - 02/04/2010 - 21:12

I just installed a new windows 7 computer, it found my home network/internet connection with no problem. It sees the wireless laptop (vista machine) also on the network, but can't access it, and the other way around. I have a netgear wireless router, and hardline installed. I have also gone through several of the trouble-shooter dialogs, and all come up with the same thing, unable to fix the problem. Also have even gone thru and disabled password requirements as well.

Windows 7 has a very complete

The trouble shooter (not verified) - 02/05/2010 - 07:42

I just installed Windows 7 on

Anonymous (not verified) - 02/23/2010 - 21:02

I just installed Windows 7 on a machine that was running Vista previously. I have a wireless network up using a DLink router. On this network I have no issues connecting with Vista, a Blackberry Wifi, iPhone and an older laptop with XP. Windows 7 just will not connect. This is the laptop that was connected using Vista the day before I put Windows 7 on it, so I know the hardware works. I'm really disappointed that something as simple as connecting to Wifi is such a challege with Windows 7. I'm an IT person myself, and the wizards are useless. I see it disable and enable the ethernet adapter and ultimately just tells me it doesn't work. Wonderful.

The problem is not with

Ciprian - 02/23/2010 - 22:52

The problem is not with Windows 7, it lies with the firmware of the DLink router. Please update it to the latest version and most probably it will work. With a new operating system you cannot keep out-of-the-box compatibility with lots of older hardware. Something will not work, you have to give up on some devices. And for you, the easiest solution is to go to the DLink website, download the latest firmware for your router and update it.

Hello! I bought a new laptop

Christine (not verified) - 03/28/2010 - 22:36

Hello! I bought a new laptop for my husband with Windows 7 64bit. I transfered his settings from his Windows XP Pro laptop using the Easy Windows Transfer cable.
This is where I think the problem is. But not positive, because my daughter also got a new windows 7 laptop, (they are both Toshiba's) .
OK so the issue is I have been trying to get the wireless network connection to connect automatically. Every time I either start or put the computer to sleep, I have to manually click on my network, and then click connect, even though the button is checked to connect automatically, then the biggest pain is I have to put in the network key each and every time. Now my daughter's laptop, no problem it does it like it should. That is why I said about the Easy Transfer. I did not use it on hers. So I am pretty sure it is not the router, Linksys. It has been updated to the lastest firmware. I can also see all the other computers in my network. And windows troubleshooter never ever has helped me solve anything. It just says no problems were detected. So I am at a loss. It is more of pain in the butt than anything. I just can't stand having to type in my key every time. Thank you

Hi I have a problem regarding

Anonymous (not verified) - 03/30/2010 - 10:57

I have a problem regarding windows 7 and I will really appreciate it if you can assist me,

I am running windows 7 32 bit and I have a Vodafone K3765-Z and it doesn’t connect to internet I am thinking that maybe I need to find a different software to connect it and initially I was using Win7 64bit and it was connecting perfectly.

Please tell me what I need to do in odder to make it work.

Unfortunately we don't have

Ciprian - 03/30/2010 - 12:07

Unfortunately we don't have the vodafone model you have and cannot help you. Did you try Vodafone support? or maybe the Hwawei forums?

I just set up my network

Turbotojo (not verified) - 04/01/2010 - 09:39

I just set up my network manually like I always do with XP on my WIN 7 laptop and it works great. When I shut down and restart it it tells me I am on a public network and have now connection. I did manage to get it back to a home network and got it working again.
How do I get the settings to stay?

As soon as I get all the drivers I will install XP and get back to something that works for me.

Yahoo msgr on win 7

HL (not verified) - 04/08/2010 - 07:13

Yahoo msgr on win 7 ultimate

i'm using windows 7 ultimate and i can't download yahoo messenger 10. i've been trying to download it for days... i've turned off my firewall, etc...but it doesnt seem to work. what seems to be the problem?

can anyone help me please???? thank you..

Can you please share some

Ciprian - 04/08/2010 - 12:50

Can you please share some screenshots, error messages, etc?
Yahoo Messenger 10 is compatible with Windows 7 so it should work without problems.

thanks for the quick

HL (not verified) - 04/09/2010 - 11:53

thanks for the quick response!=)

i have figured out what the problem is.it's not about my laptop or windows 7. it's about the internet connection that's limiting me to download something...

Hi My laptop works fine at

w nobes (not verified) - 04/25/2010 - 22:52

Hi
My laptop works fine at home via a wireless router but I cannot get online when away from home. I have tried a friend's secure network (with key) and various open ones.
I have tried to connect to open networks at home but my laptop automatically switches to my own security enables network. Could it be that there are settings that I have to alter so that my laptop will work on other networks?I thought this should work automatically?

HI, i have installed a

Rakesh (not verified) - 04/29/2010 - 17:37

HI, i have installed a Windows 7 in my system i not able to connect to the internet it's showin 615 error msg. i 'm using ADSL Nokia Semence router which conneted to my d-ling 16 port switch. every time i try to connect it's whoing your modem is not responding and giving error 615.

First, I really like windows

Ray (not verified) - 05/27/2010 - 06:38

First, I really like windows 7 however I can not connect to the wireless router at work. I can connect to my new Net Gear router at home with no problems. From everything I 've read the work router most likely needs updated firmware. I tried unistalling Norton to see if the fire wall was preventing connection but that wasn't it. I tried the wizards but they said my computer was configured correctly, that the router was not responding to it. I see that this is a reacuring problem and am starting to think its the routers firmware. I just wanted to exhaust every possibility before I give my IT guy a fit. Dose anyone have any input? Thanks

The most probable root-cause

Ciprian - 05/27/2010 - 10:09

The most probable root-cause is the age of the router and its firmware. Try to speak with your company's IT department so that they have it updated and fixed.

I have windows 7 on my

marmar (not verified) - 05/30/2010 - 13:27

I have windows 7 on my computer but I have a problem that I can not conect the printer on the newtwork .The printer is hp laserjet 1300

Check this article:

Ciprian - 05/30/2010 - 18:29

Check this article: http://www.7tutorials.com/how-share-printer-your-network

you have to update the o/s or

juliosoto (not verified) - 06/24/2010 - 12:32

you have to update the o/s or try to get fix the errors with the help of customer care from HP..... you get toll free number in hp site......
-------------
stress

Thanks for your suggestion

Anonymous (not verified) - 06/25/2010 - 14:56

Thanks for your suggestion

I recently bought a Dell1400

Scott (not verified) - 06/15/2010 - 04:28

I recently bought a Dell1400 inspiron laptop with windows 7 operating system and the hard drive was bad via tech support looking at thew system through the internet,conecting remotely (right up front they could'nt get me to connect through the wifi and had to plug in a hard line. The diagnostic outcome was a bad hard drive.They came to replace the hard drive and now I cannot get the intrernet with hard line or wifi. I have multiple x-box live accounts connecting cordless as well as two other laptops and they have no problems. I'm wondering if there is possibly something That the tech could have left unplugged inside or what? I've already tried tech support with dell and they want money to go any further. (even though I've never been able to get onto the web)
Any sugestions????

DELL E5500 with Windows 7

Anonymous (not verified) - 06/18/2010 - 19:36

DELL E5500 with Windows 7 will not auto connect to WiFi.

I have four Dell laptops. Three running XP and a new Dell Latitude E5500 with Windows 7.

The Windows 7 Dell WILL NOT automatically connect to ANY wireless network. I have to manually connect every time. It is not the router firmware. It is not hardware. There are enough people having the same problem here that Dell or Microsoft need to solve this and post the solution.

It's also not router dependent. I travel every week to several locations. I have an ATT Uverse router at home, Linksys, Belkin, and Verizon Mifi that I regularly connect to with the other XP laptops.

Recently had some problems

Hannah (not verified) - 06/19/2010 - 01:23

Recently had some problems connecting to a network.
Connected fine until brother decided to unplug modem and router whilst I was connected. Replugged and rebooted everything, restarted computer; it now is unable to find the network. The profile is saved, and 'automatically connect' checked, but fails to do so. Have removed network profile and added but hasn't changed anything. The network I want to connect to doesn't appear in 'list of available networks'. I know that the router is definitely broadcasting the network because I am still able to connect to it via my laptop.
Any suggestions? It's extremely frustrating...

THE WIZARDS ARE CRAP -- Do a

Anonymous (not verified) - 06/22/2010 - 16:39

THE WIZARDS ARE CRAP --

Do a search -- thousands of people are having horrible problems networking Windows 7 -- IP6 conflicts with some older routers, which the wizards don't pick up, computer names that contain characters (like dashes) cannot be read and the wizards don't pick this up, several services must be active and the wizards don't pick those up (I had to go in manually and activate one, the wizard did NOT notify me the service wasn't running (the DNS)) -- after six weeks of trying everything, I am paying to have my computers downgraded to XP. Networking in Windows 7 is insanely difficult and the wizards don't even pick up on any of the problems.

Can't figure out why you are

Anonymous (not verified) - 06/25/2010 - 15:51

Can't figure out why you are having such a problem. My home network consists of computers running Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and even Ubuntu and all are able see each other - and share files - with no problem. My router is a Linksys wrt54g model.

I have a similar set up and

Julie in Indy (not verified) - 06/29/2010 - 03:22

I have a similar set up and the exact same router; however, I've had problems with my brand new desktop running Windows 7 - got a new adapter (also Linksys - WUSB600N with updated driver) and once I over-rode the power settings, at least I'm not losing my connection every time it hibernates or sleeps. HOwever, I continually get a low signal and it's slow to load - even though I've changed *NOTHING* about the location of the machine or the router.

I truly believe it's the adapter's driver and compatibility issues with Dell. After hours on the phone with various techies at both Dell and Cisco (maker of Linksys), I gave up. I am now debating whether I should get a new router (more compatible with Win 7) or a repeater (to strengthen the signal).

I have to repeat - when I had a desktop in this exact same location running XP against the same network, albeit with an older adapter (WUSB54G), I never had connectivity or signal issues.

My XP laptop has *no* issues, even if wirelessly connected from the same location as the desktop.

My daughter's Vista laptop has no issues.

Another daughter's HP Win 7 has no issues, though it is not wirelessly connected.

I could cheerfully scream.

I don't know

Scott (not verified) - 06/29/2010 - 03:40

I don't know

I`m trying to setup a

Roger (not verified) - 06/25/2010 - 19:17

I`m trying to setup a wireless network at home and something is`nt right, not sure how to proceed. I have a Tenda wireless_N Router, a Speedstream DSL modem, and my computer is running Windows 7. Everything is recognized by Windows, and I am connecting, but when I go to load a webpage or check email, the "connecting to Ameritech DSL" box keeps popping up; it`s like I`m connected, but my computer insists on dialing my DSL modem again. When this happens, my system bogs down badly, and hard-drive activity is crazy. I finally have to unplug from the router, which is Win 7 certified, and go back to using just the DSL modem, knocking out my network. I`m new at networking, so i`m at a loss here. The other end of the network is a Win XP box upstairs, and no problems there, it shows the network and is connected. Thanks for any help.

i have dell xps1530 laptop. i

nick (not verified) - 07/22/2010 - 13:45

i have dell xps1530 laptop. i have this lan connection from office and after connecting it my internet works fine but i cannot browse the other computers but every other person can. i have turned my firewall off, shared everything, turned mt security to minimum, network exploring is on but when click on the computer name it cant open the location. tried troubleshooting too...plz help me out here guys :(

What kind of Windows do you

Ciprian - 07/22/2010 - 14:21

What kind of Windows do you have on this dell xps1530?

windows 7

Anonymous (not verified) - 07/22/2010 - 23:35

windows 7

Try the following: Make sure

Ciprian - 07/23/2010 - 10:46

Try the following:

Make sure you've set the network location correctly. It should be home or work.
See details here: http://www.7tutorials.com/network-locations-explained

Then, double check all network sharing settings. See details here:
http://www.7tutorials.com/how-customize-network-sharing-settings-windows-7

Then use this guide for sharing stuff with other computers:
http://www.7tutorials.com/share-libraries-or-folders-using-sharing-wizard

Maybe there's a small wrong setting on your computer (like Network Discovery turned off).

Hope it helps.

I just received a new laptop

Anonymous (not verified) - 08/08/2010 - 20:03

I just received a new laptop from work that has a built in wireless card. I seem to have everything set up, and am currently using it to search this forum. The problem is that occasionally I get disconnected, and when this happens, the network list won't repopulate, even after I click on refresh. I even turn off the wireless adaptor and turn it back on, it still will not refresh the list of networks. The only way to reconnect is to shut the computer down and restart it... Is there some kind of setting that is causing this issue?

Hi, I've just completed a

kennysarmy (not verified) - 08/19/2010 - 12:37

Hi,

I've just completed a build of a home PC with the P7P55D LE motherboard.

Previously I had XP on another PC and my internet was rock solid.

Now when I reboot my new windows 7 PC it reports that the internet is down.

I have to reset the router or sometimes by disabling and re-enabling the on-board NIC on the m/b it comes back up.

I have tried the following:

reducing the lan speed to 100 full.
disabling all the wol features
disablign the green feature within the network card.

Any ideas before I purchase a PCI network card to see if the problem IS the m/b?

Cheers.

Just to add when the internet locks up I can still access the Routers setup page via a browser session.
All the lights on the router appear as normal, however windows 7 reports there being a problem with the internet...which the "helper" tries to diagnose and comes back with "unknown error"

Can you borrow a network

Ciprian - 08/22/2010 - 21:13

Can you borrow a network card? It sounds like your on-board one has issues. Better to check though with another card before spending money on one.

Hi, I have a Dell, Inspiron

Armidat (not verified) - 08/26/2010 - 13:33

Hi,

I have a Dell, Inspiron 11 with Windows 7 & 1397 WLAN Mini-Card. It does not detect the wireless network.
I have tried manually adding the net work, disabling/enabling it, also uninstalling/intalling Wifi & adapter from Device Manager, as well as turning off & on wireless button, but no use!
Please help.