“Your device looks like it’s configured correctly, but the (DNS server) is not responding” Maybe there is something else, but somehow I am not able to replicate the problem now so I can’t say the exact message.

Understanding and Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues: A Step-by-Step Approach

Experiencing Wi-Fi connectivity problems can be frustrating and disruptive. If you’ve encountered issues where your device shows it has a proper configuration but still cannot connect to the internet or experiences slow speeds, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll explore common causes and solutions, based on a detailed real-world case, to help you diagnose and resolve similar issues effectively.

Case Overview

A user reported that their Windows 10 PC, connected via Wi-Fi, suddenly stopped connecting around midday. Despite multiple router and PC restarts, the network remained unresponsive. Initial attempts to fix the issue involved command-line network commands and network resets. Eventually, they managed to reconnect, but experienced extremely slow internet speeds and high latency in applications like Roblox, with upload speeds nearing zero.

Key Observations:
– Device shows “Your device looks like it’s configured correctly, but the (DNS server) is not responding.”
– Connection was restored after extensive troubleshooting, but performance remained poor.
– Changing DNS settings to Google’s DNS (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4) was attempted.
– The network was split into 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels, with the device struggling with 5GHz.
– The issue was ultimately resolved by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) by adjusting the network to isolate the 2.4GHz band, which the older PC could handle better.

Common Causes of Wi-Fi Connectivity Problems

DNS Server Issues:
DNS (Domain Name System) translates domain names into IP addresses.
A misconfigured or unresponsive DNS server can cause pages to lag or fail to load.
Switching to reliable DNS servers like Google’s (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) can sometimes resolve the issue.
Network Configuration Errors:
Incorrect IP settings or IP conflicts can disrupt connectivity.
Running commands like ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew can refresh network configurations.
Router Compatibility and Frequency Bands:
Modern routers often operate on dual bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
Older devices may struggle with 5 GHz networks due to hardware limitations.
Separating these networks or limiting devices to 2.4 GHz can improve stability.
Hardware Compatibility:
Older network adapters might have known issues with recent router firmware