FAQ
TL;DR: Windows 7 'connected, no internet' is usually software-side. 3 cm proximity test — "Place the laptop about 3 cm from the router" — helps rule antenna faults; then reset the stack or reinstall if needed. [Elektroda, aachi, post #17372406]
Why it matters: This FAQ helps Windows 7 users fix Wi‑Fi that connects but can’t browse, fast and confidently.
Quick Facts
- Symptom: Windows 7 shows Wi‑Fi connected, but browsers fail; diagnostics report “DNS server may not be available.” [Elektroda, pawelik2013, post #17373880]
- External USB Wi‑Fi (ASUS USB‑N10 Nano) worked instantly, pointing to a Windows stack/driver issue rather than router hardware. [Elektroda, pawelik2013, post #17372259]
- HOSTS.ICS on the PC indicates Internet Connection Sharing was active, which can reroute traffic and confuse tracert. [Elektroda, pawelik2013, post #17377693]
- Safe Mode with Networking restored browsing, then speeds dropped to ~0.5 Mb/s before updates re-broke it, indicating software conflict. [Elektroda, pawelik2013, post #17373880]
- Final outcome: a clean Windows reinstall restored normal Wi‑Fi operation. [Elektroda, pawelik2013, post #17378841]
How do I quickly tell if it’s Windows or hardware/router?
Boot a rescue USB Linux or similar live system and join the same Wi‑Fi. If it browses normally there, your hardware and router are fine. That points to Windows drivers, services, ICS, firewall, or security tools. In the thread, Wi‑Fi worked from a USB rescue system, ruling out antenna and router faults. Next, test Windows Safe Mode with Networking to narrow software conflicts. [Elektroda, pawelik2013, post #17372588]
Why does tracert show my own IP on every hop?
That pattern suggests your PC is acting like a NAT/router or a filter driver is looping traffic. In the thread, tracert returned the laptop’s address repeatedly, “as if some NAT was running in the background.” Check for Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), VPNs, virtual adapters, or firewall suites. Reset the network stack and disable ICS to restore normal routing behavior. [Elektroda, aachi, post #17378560]
What does HOSTS.ICS mean, and can it break internet?
HOSTS.ICS is auto-created when Windows Internet Connection Sharing is enabled. If ICS is on, your laptop may route packets for others, altering DNS and traceroute behavior. The thread shows HOSTS.ICS entries alongside odd routing and repeated self‑hops. Disable ICS in adapter properties and remove sharing to stop unwanted NAT effects. [Elektroda, pawelik2013, post #17377693]
Windows says “DNS server may not be available,” and speeds sank to ~0.5 Mb/s—what now?
That combination points to a software stack issue, not RF range. In the case discussed, Safe Mode restored browsing, but post‑reboot speeds dropped to about 0.5 Mb/s until updates reintroduced the fault. Reset TCP/IP, Winsock, and check for ICS or security tool conflicts. If it returns after updates, consider driver rollback or a clean reinstall. [Elektroda, pawelik2013, post #17373880]
How do I reset the Windows 7 network stack cleanly?
Run these with an elevated Command Prompt, then reboot.
- netsh int tcp reset
- netsh int ip reset
- netsh winsock reset
This clears TCP/IP and Winsock, removing bad hooks from VPNs, ICS, or security suites. After reboot, rerun tracert and browsing tests. If routing normalizes, re-enable tools one by one to find the culprit. [Elektroda, aachi, post #17377512]
Could a broken Wi‑Fi antenna cable cause “connected, no internet”?
Yes. A severed antenna lead can receive strong router signals but transmit too weakly for stable traffic. Quick rule: place the laptop about 3 cm from the router and retest. “Place the laptop about 3 cm from the router” to check; if it improves, suspect the antenna path. In this thread, hardware was later ruled out by a USB system test. [Elektroda, aachi, post #17372406]
Why does a USB Wi‑Fi dongle (e.g., ASUS USB‑N10 Nano) work when built‑in doesn’t?
A USB adapter uses its own driver path and radio, bypassing a misconfigured internal stack. In the case here, the ASUS USB‑N10 Nano connected without issues while the built‑in Atheros card failed in Windows. That points to OS‑level configuration, ICS, or security tool interference on the internal adapter. [Elektroda, pawelik2013, post #17372259]
Ethernet works—does that rule out my ISP or router?
Yes. If the same laptop browses fine over Ethernet on the same network, the ISP and router path are functioning. That shifts focus to Wi‑Fi drivers, Windows networking components, or interference from ICS/VPN/security software on the wireless stack only. [Elektroda, pawelik2013, post #17372332]
Should I disable or uninstall security tools like Malwarebytes during troubleshooting?
Yes. Security tools can insert network drivers that block or reroute traffic. In the thread, Malwarebytes reported protection disabled in Safe Mode, where Wi‑Fi worked. Advice given: uninstall the tool and scan with a separate antivirus before continuing. [Elektroda, KOCUREK1970, post #17373757]
How should I run tracert, and what do I look for?
Use tracert -d 8.8.8.8 from an elevated Command Prompt. Healthy output shows a gateway hop, upstream hops, then Google DNS. If every hop is your own IP or latencies explode, suspect ICS, VPN filters, or a loopback/NAT misconfiguration. Compare with a Linux traceroute for baseline. [Elektroda, aachi, post #17376035]
My pings are 600–3500 ms in tracert; is that a network loop?
Such giant, self‑referential pings point to a local routing loop or filtering on the host. The thread shows repeated 192.168.8.x hops with latencies up to 3539 ms. That’s consistent with ICS or a broken filter driver. Disable sharing, reset the stack, and retest. [Elektroda, pawelik2013, post #17376167]
Should IPv4/IPv6 be automatic or manual on Windows 7 Wi‑Fi?
Use automatic IP and DNS for both IPv4 and IPv6 unless your network admin says otherwise. Manual entries can mask routing issues or keep stale DNS. In the thread, guidance was to ensure automatic settings before deeper debugging. [Elektroda, aachi, post #17376692]
Is a clean reinstall overkill or the best fix here?
When deep stack hooks or ICS corruption persist, a clean reinstall is often fastest. “The most reliable and effective solution.” Back up data, collect drivers, and reinstall to reset all networking layers at once. [Elektroda, KOCUREK1970, post #17373757]
Did reinstalling Windows actually fix this case?
Yes. After a clean reinstall, Wi‑Fi returned to normal operation and browsing worked again. [Elektroda, pawelik2013, post #17378841]
Edge case: ipconfig shows DHCP disabled but also lease times—what does that mean?
That mismatch can appear when settings were toggled, ICS was involved, or drivers misreport state. In the logs, ipconfig listed DHCP disabled while showing lease timestamps and a typical gateway. Treat this as a sign to reset the stack and review sharing settings. [Elektroda, pawelik2013, post #17377248]
If I suspect malware or misconfiguration, what should I post for help?
Share FRST logs and await guided cleanup from specialists. That approach was advised in the thread’s Antivirus Emergency context. If rebuilding is acceptable, a clean reinstall remains the fastest route to a known‑good state. [Elektroda, myszkoscielna, post #17378813]
