Unidentified Network error on Windows 10/8/7 [FIX]

Radu Tyrsina
by Radu Tyrsina
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
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You too might have faced an issue called “Unidentified Network” with network connectivity when trying to connect. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help you overcome the problem.

  1. Turn off the Airplane mode

Windows 10 supports the Airplane mode and you have to switch it off as it follows:

  • Press Windows-A to open Action Center.
  • If the Airplane mode is ON, change it to OFF.

  1. Update the Network Card Drivers

  • Right-click on the Start button.
  • Open Device Manager.
  • Find Network Adapters and update all drivers by right-clicking on them.

  1. Temporarily disable the security software

If you’re using Windows Firewall, try resetting the setting to default and try connecting. If you’re using VPN software or an antivirus, try disabling them.

  1. Switch off the Fast Startup Feature

  • Go to the Windows Search bar and search for Power Options and open it.
  • Choose what the power button does.
  • Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  • Uncheck “Turn on fast startup” and shut down. Reboot after half a minute.

  1. Change the DNS servers

  • Right-click the Start Button.
  • Click on Network Connections.
  • Right-click on your current network connection (WiFi or Ethernet) and then click on Properties.
  • Click on Internet Protocol version 4.
  • Select “use the following DNS server addresses”. Set the preferred and alternate DNS server address to 8.8.8.8.

  1. Diagnose the network

  • Right-click on the Start button.
  • Go to Network Connections.
  • Right-click on your current network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and then click Diagnose to start an automatic troubleshooter.

  1. Change the Ethernet cable

As the fault might be with your Ethernet cable, try changing it in order to isolate the problem. Or, you can also try connecting to a Wi-Fi network.

  1. Use an external network adapter

Try an external adaptor and see if this will fix the issue.

  1. Restart your modem and router for power cycling

  • Switch them both off.
  • Start the modem and wait for 30 seconds after its lights turn green and then you can also turn on the router.

  1. Disable Virtual Network Adapters

  • Open the Device Manager and go to the Network Adapters section.
  • If the Virtual Adapters are present, right-click to disable them.

Go through this entire list of suggestions in order to decide which one is properly applying in your case.

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