My internet connection stops working.

To begin, this is the 2nd computer I've had this to happen on. My connection starts up ok, but after 2 to 3 hours (sometimes even longer), the connection stops working. I check the connection, and I'm told I am connected to the internet, but the connection may be slow.

I have to perform a "network reset" in "Advanced Network Settings" & allow the PC to restart to get good connection again.

The crazy thing about this is all other devices on my LAN keep working just file at full speed. I also have a 3rd PC ( a Dell laptop) that does NOT have this problem.

Has anyone else encountered this problem? I did not have this issue until Windows 11.

Is this a wired, or wireless connection?

Both, Wired and wireless fail.

First thing, have you had a Windows Update occur recently. If so, that very likely changed something (never fails to disappoint).

Next we need a better diagnosis. When you say "the connection stops working", but also say "I'm told I am connected to the internet",
that does not compute. How do you know connection stops working? You can't get on the internet using a browser?
Have you tried a different browser?
How are you told you're connected? Are you seeing the internet icon in the task bar?
If you're looking at a statement on the Settings page, I would not trust that (Windows can get confused).
Can you open a command windows, ping www.google.com and get a response?

Other things to check:
Check the power settings and power savings for the network adapter.
Go to Device Manager > Network Adapters > right-click and select Properties > Power Management tab.
Uncheck allow computer to turn off adapter.
Next go to Power Options (via Settings or Control Panel) > Change plan settings > change advanced settings.
Go through ALL entries and see if there are any "power savings" features and disable them.
Next, log into your router as admin and look for similar power savings (e.g. Eco) features and turn them off.
Also on the router, typically under LAN settings, check that the DHCP lease time didn't get reduced. It's often set to 24 hours.

P.S. You'll probably get advice here to update your network drivers. DO NOT do that. Drivers don't go bad overnight or they don't intermittently go bad. The only way your drivers were corrupted would be if a Windows Update did that, and in that case they'll either work or not work.

If Fast Startup is enabled, disable it.

Could it be a syncing issue if you have more than one computer switched on at the same time and have Windows Backup syncing turned on? I had something like this once but only on Windows 10. The Windows 11 computers were fine. Network kept cutting out, asking me to re enter the network code again - it would last a bit then cut out again. Tried all the re-setting network settings etc. I only resolved it by using a local account instead of a microsoft account, then it was fine!

Sorry, it's been awhile since I responded. I have tried most of the suggestions listed. I still need to try to ping google.com when this occurs. I will try that next time.
I still have the problem as stated below:
"My connection starts up ok, but after 2 to 3 hours (sometimes even longer), the connection stops working. I check the connection, and I'm told I am connected to the internet, but the connection may be slow.

I have to perform a "network reset" in "Advanced Network Settings" & allow the PC to restart to get good connection again."

The last time i had the problem, looked at "Network and Internet Settings". I had a highlighted message telling me that I had a connection, but my internet connection may be slow. So, I grabbed my Iphone and did a network speed test. The results showed the network at full speed.
Any attempt to access the internet from my browser (I have tried Microsoft Edge, Brave, Chrome, and Opera) resulted in a connection failure. The message I get is that the connection timed out.

Is there any chance that this could be Hardware related? This UIs happening on an HP Elite desktop. I have a Dell laptop that has never had this problem. It is also Windows 11.

Any new ideas would be appreciated. This is a real mystery.






I have found that my wireless connection does work when this happens.

bravem12000 said:

Is there any chance that this could be Hardware related? This UIs happening on an HP Elite desktop. I have a Dell laptop that has never had this problem. It is also Windows 11.

Click to expand...

It could be any number of things: wrong driver, faulty Ethernet port, bad WiFi card, modem issues etc. Have you looked for the correct driver for that particular unit? And does this happen when you are connected via Ethernet or is it WiFi related.

Last week I lost the LAN on my TUF GAMING B650-PLUS, from cold boot, nothing, booted into Parted Magic still no LAN.
Ended up resetting the BIOS by shortening the 2 pins and after that LAN worked again. Was the first time ever that I lost LAN from a motherboard !
But I was happy that I didnt have to take apart the board and ship it for repair.

Thanks for the reply. To answer your latest suggestions, The driver for the Ethernet card is up to date, I have tried the onboard ethernet connection, a new Realtek 2.5 GB ethernet card, and they both fail. It happens with Ethernet only, and the rest of the network keeps working as if nothing is wrong.

bravem12000 said:

Thanks for the reply. To answer your latest suggestions, The driver for the Ethernet card is up to date, I have tried the onboard ethernet connection, a new Realtek 2.5 GB ethernet card, and they both fail. It happens with Ethernet only, and the rest of the network keeps working as if nothing is wrong.

Click to expand...

Okay, we're narrowing it down. Is your Ethernet to this unit on a switch or direct to your modem.

bravem12000 said:

It happens with Ethernet only, and the rest of the network keeps working as if nothing is wrong.

Click to expand...

Earlier, you said it happens on both wired and wireless...

If it's in fact wired only, try another ethernet cable.

Banjoman301 said:

Earlier, you said it happens on both wired and wireless...

If it's in fact wired only, try another ethernet cable.

Click to expand...

I was going to suggest another cable or a different port. *sometimes on fast internet speeds older switches will fail when multiple devices are connected.*