No internet on one PC, rest of the network is fine (other PCs, wifi, consoles) after the connection dropped

Troubleshooting Persistent Internet Connectivity Issues on a Dedicated PC

Experiencing internet connectivity issues on a single PC while other devices in your network function normally can be a frustrating ordeal. If you’ve already performed basic troubleshooting steps such as restarting your modem and router and are still facing issues, it’s time to delve deeper into possible causes and solutions. This article provides a comprehensive guide to diagnosing and resolving such problems, focusing on hardware connections, software configurations, and network settings.

Understanding the Setup

In typical home or office networks, multiple devices—including PCs, consoles, and wireless devices—share internet access provided via a modem-router combination or separate devices connected through switches. It’s common to connect desktop PCs directly to a network switch via Ethernet cables, which then links to the router. Ensuring proper connections and configurations is vital for seamless connectivity.

Common Symptoms

• One PC has no internet access, although others are functioning correctly.
• Wi-Fi is unstable, slow, or intermittently drops.
• Physical connections appear intact, but network status indicates limited or no connectivity.
• Windows Network Diagnostics reports errors like “No internet connection,” “Cannot reach DHCP server,” or “Connected to local network only.”
• Direct connection attempts from the problematic PC to the modem or router do not establish proper internet access.

Potential Causes

• Faulty Ethernet cables or ports.
• Misconfigured network settings or drivers.
• Issues with the network adapter hardware.
• DHCP server problems.
• Firewall or security software blocking connectivity.
• Hardware failure in the PC’s motherboard or network interface.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. Verify Physical Connections

2. Inspect Cables and Ports: Ensure all Ethernet cables are securely plugged in. Try replacing the cables with known working ones, including swapping the cable from the functioning PC to see if the issue persists.

3. Test Different Ports: Use different ports on the switch and router to rule out port-specific issues.

4. Direct Connection Test: Connect the Ethernet cable directly from the wall socket or the router to the problematic PC to isolate potential switch or cable issues.

5. Check Network Adapter and Drivers

6. Device Manager Inspection: Open Device Manager and confirm that the network adapters are enabled without warning signs.

7. Driver Reinstallation: Uninstall and reinstall the latest drivers for the network adapter from the motherboard or device manufacturer’s website.

8. Driver Updates: Ensure your network drivers are current, as outdated drivers can cause connectivity issues.

9. Reset Network Settings

10. Network Reset: Use Windows’