Weird network behavious & settings

HP 15S Notebook (Core i3-11254G4 / 4 GB / 256 GB) only a few months old but has now had to have the WiFi adaptor driver (Realtek RTL8822CE) updated manually twice - loses connectivity and I have to plug in a USB/Ethernet adaptor and go into HP's website to d/l the driver. Once installed, all works well again.

This week, same symptoms. but after shutting down overnight and restarting (different site) I was able to detect WiFi networks and connect.

But now a different and/or maybe related issue appeared. WiFi connection reported "Internet access" but Windows update was unable to access Update Service and website reported "No Internet". A bit of troubleshooting had me looking at the Proxy Settings (Settings -> Network & Internet -> Proxy) where I found Use setup script and Use a proxy server were both set On.

Under the Use Setup Script the Script address was set to JRYQEZ; EFF #-EFF 145090
in Proxy Server I found proxy IP address

http://jryqez

and Port 14018

I switched both to Off and scanned the computer with MalwareBytes, ADW Cleaner, and Sophos HitMan - found nothing apart from a couple of PUPs (fairly innocuous, as far as I can determine - very old versions of CCleaner) and a bunch of browser tracking cookies. Computer now behaves as expected.

Anyone able to shed any light on these entries and where they may have come from?

Welcome to the forum.
Regarding your proxy setings, first question - Are you using a VPN?
Here are suggestions.

Be sure to check your proxy settings in your browser as well. Each browser has it's own setting. You do not mention what browser you use. In Edge click on 3 dots.
Go to settings. In left pane select System & Performance.
In right pane select Open Your computer's proxy settings.

I found the ip address you gave to be an unregistered domain.

See this thread at Microsoft and follow the instructions given. Redirecting



To make sure someone nearby is not accessing the network, If it were me I would reset my router to default and set it back up again using a new SSID and password. I would also make sure the router is not using it's default administrator user name and password. See your router's instruction manual. If your ISP provides it, contact them if you can't change it yourself.

Scan all Windows devices with Malwarebytes. Check proxy settings in all your network connected devices.

--------
Regarding your wi-fi driver, look at windows update history. I would bet that WU is updating your driver to an incorrect one. Try this.
1. Download the correct driver from HP support site and save to a location on your computer in case it is ever needed again.
2. Disable Windows update from including drivers. If you have Windows 11 Pro, use the group policy method(Option 1). If you have Home use the regedit method (option 2)
Restart your computer.
Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 11 Tutorial
(Note-after this change you will have to manage your own drivers. I suggest you use HP Support Assistant that should have come with your computer to keep your drivers current)

Thanks, Glasskuter

"Are you using a VPN" - no VPN. This is a 2-computer home installation, a retired couple. The fibre & router installation is in its first month and it is not *supposed* to be accessible from the WAN port (there's no way any of the neighbours is hacking the WiFi!), but good point - I'll check the router settings when I deliver the PC back.

In both Chrome and Edge, when you go to "proxy" settings you are redirected to the same Windows settings I quoted in my post. Doesn't look like browsers can set their own proxy anymore.

"the ip address you gave to be an unregistered domain" - well, it's a one-word name so, yes, it can only exist as a local alias. Perhaps the router's DNS will provide a clue when I get there.

"Regarding your wi-fi driver, look at windows update history" - on this computer anyway, this is a less than helpful log! Just a long list of "HP Inc - Software Component" and "Realtek - Extension" updates. Thanks, Microsoft, for this detailed explanation

Anyway thank you. I'll go through the manual driver update procedure.

All the best.

It coulde be that Windows Update installs a newer network driver which is faulty. You can install the official driver and then use a utility such as Windows Update Show/Hide Tool or Windows Advanced Update Manager (WAU) to hide (block) the driver update so it won't replace your working driver again.

What is the make and model of the router? Which ISP is used? (Internet Service Provider)

I don't think these will make any difference, it is probably a driver issue. Windows Update is replacing the official driver, it is a common issue.

Looks like something changed your proxy settings and they don't apply to VPNs anyway. This is my setup,



I'd try running your security software outside of Windows. I only use Defender so only know how to run an offline scan with that.

If you suspect malware, do a full system scan with Windows Defender or whichever Antivirus you are using, but also download and install Superantispyware and do a full system scan. Delete all findings. If you get too many results (over 500), I would use a second utility such as Malwarebytes Antimlaware. Most of the time it will find some more that Superantispyware didn't. If you find more than 2000 results, consider backuping your data and doing a clean installation of Windows 11 (aka format).

For goodness sake take control of your drivers yourself. Disable include drivers with windows update and forget about the show/hide tool.

I don't know about Windows 11 but my past experience says that even if you configure Windows not to use drivers from Windows Update they might still do. It is better to block the unwanted updates with Show/Hide Tool or WAU. Also keep an eye if they release a new version to block it too.