1. Open PowerShell as an administrator. Check the status of key services
Code:
Get-Service netprofm, dnscache, iphlpsvc, VaultSvc | Select-Object Name, Status, StartType
2.Open Settings → Network & Internet. Check the status of your current connection: Private or Public. If it's Public, switch it to Private (if it's a trusted network). This is critical for widgets and the Microsoft Store.
3.Dell SupportAssist / Dell Update. On Dell, these utilities can install their own network components and firewall rules. Sometimes after an update, they enable "restricted mode" or route traffic through their own proxies/filters, causing UWP apps (widgets, Store) to lose their "connected network status," even though the browser and SpeedTest are working. Check for any services like DellSupportAssistService, DellUpdateService, etc., and temporarily stop them for testing.
Network adapter drivers and utilities. Dells often have proprietary Wi-Fi utilities (for example, from Intel or Killer), which can force the network profile to "Public" or enable additional filters. This disrupts widgets and Store functionality, as they are, by design, restricted to "public" networks.
4.Check to see if airplane mode is accidentally enabled.
On Dells, this could be a hardware button or the Fn+F key combination. Even if Wi-Fi is connected, airplane mode can block some network APIs for UWP apps.
