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Troubleshooting Persistent Web Redirect Issues on a Newly Built PC: A Step-by-Step Guide

Building a new PC is an exciting process, but it can sometimes come with unforeseen technical challenges. One common issue faced by new system builders is experiencing frequent web redirect errors, particularly when browsing via Ethernet connection. If you’re encountering constant “too many redirects” errors, despite thorough troubleshooting, this comprehensive guide aims to help diagnose and resolve the problem efficiently.

Understanding the Problem

In this scenario, the user reports that their freshly assembled PC, equipped with a Ryzen 9 9800X3D CPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, and MSI Tomahawk B850 motherboard, experiences intermittent issues accessing websites. The PC is connected via Ethernet, but most sites fail to load, presenting redirect loop errors. Interestingly, Google search results often still appear, but clicking links leads to repeated redirects with URL patterns like “/404.html?status=403&uri=…”.

Key observations include:
– The problem occurs mainly when clicking links from Google search, not when typing URLs directly.
– Occasionally, websites load correctly, but this is rare.
– Browser and system settings have been reset, with browser caches cleared to rule out local cache or cookies.
– Firewall and security settings have been minimized or turned off.
– DNS has been forced to Google’s public DNS servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).
– Windows OS and BIOS are fully updated.
– Network drivers are confirmed to be current.

Potential Causes and Troubleshooting Steps

1. DNS Resolution Issues
2. Even with Google DNS configured, DNS conflicts can cause redirect loops.

3. Solution: Try flushing the DNS cache (ipconfig /flushdns) or switching to an alternative DNS provider like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).

4. Browser or Network-Level Hijacking

5. Malicious extensions or malware can interfere with normal browsing.

6. Solution: Scan your system with reputable anti-malware tools. Test browsing in a different browser to see if the issue persists.

7. VPNs or Proxy Settings

8. If you are using any VPNs or proxy configurations, disable them temporarily.

9. Solution: Ensure Windows proxy settings are all turned off.

10. Network Hardware or Cables

11. Faulty Ethernet cables or ports can cause intermittent connectivity issues.
12. Solution: Try swapping cables or testing different Ethernet ports on your router.

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