Network/wi-fi issues (laptop, modem, e-mail, server)

[Ohiogirl81]

Help ...

I have an HP laptop running Windows 8; the modem and router supplied by our good friends at Comcast.

Suddenly the other day the laptop lost internet connection, even though the computer itself indicates the computer is connected. My smartphone connects just fine.

I did notice that I can access internet information from some Windows 8 apps, such as Windows Mail, the weather app, news, etc., as long I don't go through a browser. I can send and receive e-mail.

I've already tried disconnecting and rebooting both the modem and the router. I tried connecting through the Comcast hotspot in the neighborhood, with the same results.

Any ideas? I'm beyond frustrated and my next step I guess is sitting on the phone with Comcast and/or HP for a few hours.

Thanks for any help you can give.

[reed303]

Sounds like a problem with the browser itself. Which browser are you using ?

Have you re-checked its settings ??

Some have an off-line/on-line setting. Check that it's on-line.

Can you re-install (or upgrade) the browser ? Install a different browser ?

What actually happens when you launch browser and try to access a website ?

[Ohiogirl81]

Thanks ... Same results regardless of browser: Firefox, Chrome or IE.

[NHDave]

Try connecting the laptop to the router with an ethernet cable making sure you turn of the laptop wi-fi.

Your issue can be cause by a number of things, malware and DNS issues are at the top of the list.

[Ohiogirl81]

Thank you but what is DNS?

[NHDave]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Thank you but what is DNS?

It's what allows your web browser to find and load web pages. Kind of like an internet yellow pages.

HowStuffWorks "How Domain Name Servers Work"

[skinsguy37]

Just FYI, seems like OpenDNS yesterday was having some issues. I switched to Google DNS (8.8.8.8) and that fixed it. I would assume Comcast would be using their own DNS servers though.

[Ohiogirl81]

Thanks.

So now that I know what a DNS is, what can I do to fix the problem? Or what are some other possible causes, and practical advice to yt? to solve them?

I really need to get this computer up and running again. Calling Comcast ... wish me luck!

[dkf747]

Did you power cycle off and on the modem and router?

[swagger]

Don't bother calling Comcast. Your connection is fine (you said you could use the 'net with other apps, so your connection is live).

Sounds like your browser could be set to use a proxy server. I'd start by running a virus/malware scan, and check the proxy setting in the browser options.