one device on my network is having a connection issue

Troubleshooting Intermittent Network Connectivity Issues on a Laptop

When setting up a new device for family members or clients, reliable connectivity is crucial. Recently, I encountered a perplexing network problem while configuring a laptop intended for my nieces. The issues appeared intermittent, making diagnosis more challenging. Here’s a detailed account of the troubleshooting process, which may help others facing similar connectivity anomalies.

Identifying the Problem

Initially, I noticed that the Windows-based laptop was experiencing connection issues with Steam, which suggested a potential application-specific network problem. However, as I continued troubleshooting, I observed inconsistent behavior: at times, accessing various websites resulted in errors like “Your connection was interrupted. Network changes were detected.” Curiously, other times the connection would work flawlessly.

Diagnostic Steps and Findings

To get a clearer picture, I performed a speed test using Google’s built-in Internet Speed Test tool. The results were peculiar—upload speed reports showed no data, and during a subsequent test, an error message appeared: “The test can’t be completed due to a problem with the network.” These symptoms indicated possible underlying network issues rather than isolated application glitches.

It’s important to note that no other devices on the network displayed similar problems, pointing toward an issue localized to the laptop itself.

Potential Causes and Troubleshooting Measures

Network Reset and Diagnostics

I began by flushing the DNS cache, which sometimes resolves connectivity problems caused by stale DNS entries. Unfortunately, this did not improve the situation.

Driver Verification

Ensuring the network adapter drivers were current is vital. I verified that all network-related drivers on the laptop were up to date, with no available updates pending.

Network Adapter Testing

In some cases, resetting or disabling and re-enabling the network adapter can resolve misconfigurations. I performed these steps but observed no change.

Checking Network Settings

Further, I reviewed the network configuration, including IP and DNS settings, to ensure they were set to obtain defaults automatically.

Next Steps and Recommendations

Given that the standard troubleshooting steps didn’t resolve the issue, further investigation is necessary. Possible additional measures include:

Testing with a different network connection (e.g., another Wi-Fi network or wired Ethernet, if available).
Running built-in Windows network troubleshooters to identify issues automatically.
Inspecting for or disabling any VPNs or firewalls that could interfere with connectivity.
Checking for malware or malicious software that may disrupt network