"No internet, secured" error on Windows: 12 ways to fix it

What does the "No internet, secured" error mean?

The "No internet, secured" message is a common Windows issue that pops up when your device is connected to Wi-Fi but can't access the internet. It happens on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, and while it may seem like your network is down, that's not always the case.

Sure, it can show up if you're trying to connect to a weak or distant network. But you may also see this error even when the connection is strong and active. That's when it usually points to something deeper — like an issue with your computer's network settings, a corrupted network driver, or a critical service not running properly in the background.

No matter what's causing it, you don't have to stay stuck. We'll walk you through the fixes to get your connection back up and running.

How to fix the "No internet, secured" error

No single cause is behind this error, which means it doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, you'll need to try various fixes. Below, we've listed the most effective solutions. 

1. Get closer to the internet router

One of the simplest reasons you'll see the "No internet, secured" error is that you're just too far from your Wi-Fi router. Your computer may detect the network and technically "connect" to it, but if the signal is weak, it can't transfer data effectively.

So move your device closer to the router. If that's inconvenient, try moving the router to a more central spot — ideally high off the ground and away from thick walls, metal objects, or other electronics that can mess with the signal.

2. Use Windows' internet troubleshooters

Windows 10 and 11 are complex systems with a lot happening under the hood. That means occasional glitches are inevitable. Luckily, Microsoft knows this, which is why Windows comes with built-in troubleshooters designed to automatically find and fix common issues, including Wi-Fi network connection problems.

In fact, two different troubleshooters are available  for internet issues: Internet Connections and Network Adapter. Here's how to run them:

1. 1.Open the Windows Settings app ("Windows + I").
2. 2.Find the troubleshooters:
   • On Windows 10: Go to "Update & security"> "Troubleshoot"> "Additional troubleshooters." 
   • On Windows 11: Go to "System"> "Troubleshoot"> "Other troubleshooters."
3. 3.Run both of these troubleshooters:
   • Internet Connections helps diagnose problems with getting online.
   • Network Adapter focuses on issues with your network hardware.

Follow the on-screen instructions, and Windows will either fix the issue automatically or at least point you in the right direction. If it can't resolve the problem — we've got more fixes lined up.

3. Restart your router and device

It sounds basic, but a good old-fashioned restart can fix more network issues than you'd think. Try these steps:

1. 1.Turn off your router and unplug it from the power source.
2. 2.Wait 30 seconds for it to fully reset.
3. 3.Plug it back in and turn it on.
4. 4.Restart your computer.

If your internet is still not working, connect another device (like a phone or tablet) to the same network. If that device has internet access, the issue is with your Windows computer, not the router.

4. Reset your connection

Sometimes your computer holds on to old network settings, which may cause conflicts. Resetting the connection forces it to start fresh. Here's what you need to do:

1. 1.Click the Wi-Fi icon in your taskbar.
2. 2.Right-click the network you're connected to and select "Forget."
   • If you don't see the "Forget" option, go to "Settings"> "Network & internet"> "Wi-Fi"> "Manage known networks."
   • Find your network in the list, click it, and select "Forget."
3. 3.Now, reconnect to the network by selecting it from the list and entering the password.

This forces your computer to create a brand-new connection without any of the old, possibly corrupted, settings. Check if the "No internet, secured" message is gone.

5. Check your VPN

If you're using a VPN, it could be interfering with your connection. Try disabling it temporarily:

1. 1.Open your application and pause the VPN.
2. 2.Check if your internet works.

If disabling the VPN fixes the issue, update or reinstall the VPN software — it may be outdated or buggy. If the problem keeps recurring, consider switching to a more reliable VPN provider.

6. Refresh your IP configuration

Your computer's IP address tells the network where to send data. If your IP configuration is outdated or incorrect, it can block your connection even though you're technically "connected.” Refreshing it can help:

1. 1.Open Command Prompt as an administrator (search for "cmd," right-click on "Command prompt," and select "Run as administrator").
2. 2.Type the following commands, pressing "Enter" after each:
   • ipconfig /release
   • ipconfig /renew
3. 3. Restart your computer and check your connection.

7. Perform a Winsock reset

The Winsock catalog controls how Windows handles network connections. Resetting it can fix internet-related issues:

1. 1.Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. 2.Type "netsh winsock reset" and press "Enter."
3. 3.Restart your PC.

8. Fix connection properties

Incorrect settings in your connection properties can sometimes cause the "No internet, secured" error. Here's how to check if they’re configured correctly and fix them if they’re not:

1. 1.Press "Windows + R." 
2. 2.Type "ncpa.cpl" and hit "Enter."
3. 3.Right-click your Wi-Fi connection and select "Properties."
4. 4.Ensure the following options are checked:
   • "Client for Microsoft networks"
   • "File and printer sharing for Microsoft networks"
   • "Internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4)"
   • “Link-layer topology discovery responder”
5. 5.Click "OK," restart your PC, and check your internet connection.

9. Fix DNS settings

If you can ping your router but still see the "No internet, secured" error message, the problem might be with your DNS settings. The DNS is what translates website names into IP addresses. If the DNS server address is invalid or blank, your computer won't know where to send your internet requests — even if the connection is fine. Follow these steps to fix that:

1. 1.Press "Windows + R." 
2. 2.Type "ncpa.cpl" and hit "Enter."
3. 3.Right-click your Wi-Fi network and select "Properties."
4. 4.Double-click "Internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" to open its settings.
5. 5.Select "Obtain DNS server address automatically" if it's not already selected. This lets your router assign DNS settings automatically.
6. 6.Click "OK," restart your PC, and check your connection.

10. Disable IPv6

While IPv6 is designed to replace IPv4 as the internet grows, not every network plays nicely with it. Many home routers and older devices don't fully support IPv6, which can sometimes cause connection issues. If your device is trying to use IPv6 on an incompatible network, disabling it can fix the “No internet, secured” error. Just follow these instructions to disable IPv6:

1. 1.Press "Windows + R." 
2. 2.Type "ncpa.cpl" and hit "Enter."
3. 3.Right-click your Wi-Fi connection and select "Properties."
4. 4.Uncheck "Internet protocol version 6 (TCP/IPv6)."
5. 5.Click "OK," restart your computer, and try connecting to the internet.

11. Update your network driver

An outdated network driver can cause connectivity problems. To update it:

1. 1.Right-click the Start menu and select "Device manager."
2. 2.Expand the "Network adapters" section.
3. 3.Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and choose "Update driver."
4. 4.Select "Search automatically for drivers."
5. 5.If an update is found, install it and restart your computer.

If Windows doesn't find an update, you can manually download the latest network driver from your PC manufacturer's website.

Still no luck? Try uninstalling your network driver and letting Windows reinstall a fresh copy.

1. 1.Repeat steps 1–2 to find your adapter.
2. 2.Right-click it and select "Uninstall device."
3. 3.Confirm by clicking "Uninstall."
4. 4.Restart your computer.

When Windows restarts, it should automatically detect your adapter and reinstall the network driver. Once it's back, reconnect to your network and see if the problem is gone.

This process clears out any corrupted driver files that could be messing with your connection.

12. Perform a network reset

If you've tried everything else and the "No internet, secured" error is still hanging around — especially if other devices on the same network are working fine — it's time for a network reset. This will remove all network settings and restore them to default.

1. 1.Open the Windows Settings app.
2. 2.Go to "Network & internet" > "Status" (on Windows 10) or "Advanced network settings" (on Windows 11).
3. 3.Scroll down and click "Network reset."
4. 4.Click "Reset now," then restart your PC.

After the reset, you'll need to reconnect to your network.

Why does my Windows device say "No internet, secured"? 

You may encounter the “No internet, secured” error for a couple of reasons. The most common ones include being too far from your internet source, which weakens the connection, and IP configuration issues that result in an invalid or outdated IP address.

Other causes that could also lead to this issue include:

• Router or modem issues. Your network hardware could be experiencing temporary glitches.
• MAC address filtering. Some routers have MAC address filtering enabled. If your device’s MAC address isn’t on the router’s approved list, you could face connection issues.
• VPN conflicts. Some VPNs interfere with network settings, causing connectivity problems.
• Incorrect network settings. Certain configurations in Windows might be preventing internet access.
• Outdated or faulty network drivers. An old or corrupt driver can disrupt your connection.

By following the troubleshooting steps above, you should be able to resolve the "No internet, secured" error and get back online. If none of the solutions work, your best bet might be contacting your internet service provider (ISP) to check if there's an issue on their end.