Unstable WiFi on My PC: Connection Drops and DNS Server Errors with “No Internet, Secured” Message

Understanding and Resolving Unreliable Wi-Fi Connectivity on Your PC: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Experiencing inconsistent Wi-Fi connectivity on a personal computer can be both frustrating and disruptive. If your PC frequently battles with connection issues such as “Can’t reach DNS server” or “No internet, Secured” errors, you’re not alone. These problems can arise despite other devices functioning normally on the same network. In this article, we’ll explore potential causes and provide step-by-step solutions to help restore stable Wi-Fi connectivity to your PC.

Diagnosing the Issue

Before diving into fixes, it’s important to identify the root cause. Common symptoms include:

• Inconsistent Wi-Fi connection: connects sometimes, fails at others
• Specific error messages: “Can’t reach DNS server,” “No internet, Secured”
• Other devices (smartphones, tablets) connect seamlessly via the same network
• PC struggles even after power cycles and performing standard troubleshooting

Potential Causes

Several factors could contribute to these connectivity problems:

• Faulty or incompatible network adapters
• Driver-related issues or outdated network drivers
• Wi-Fi antenna hardware problems
• Windows network settings misconfigurations
• Software conflicts or corrupted network configurations
• Intermittent interference or hardware issues with the PC’s Wi-Fi module

Proposed Solutions

Let’s systematically approach the problem with these troubleshooting steps:

1. Restart Your Network Equipment

Begin with the basics:

• Power off your modem and router.
• Wait for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Turn them back on and wait until all lights stabilize.

This can resolve temporary network glitches.

1. Run Built-in Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows offers diagnostic tools:

• Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status.

• Click on “Network troubleshooter” and follow prompts.

• Reset TCP/IP Stack and DNS Settings

Corrupted network configurations can cause connectivity issues. Resetting these can help:

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
• Press Windows + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”
• Execute the following commands one by one:
  netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

• Restart your PC afterward.

• Update or Reinstall Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers often cause connection instability:

• Open Device Manager:
• Press Windows + X and select “Device Manager