The Windows 10 unidentified network problem is one that many users face, regardless of their connection type.
When a user deals with this error, they’re unable to connect to the internet, both through a wired or a wireless connection.
Luckily, the problem in question is not difficult to solve, and in the guide below, you can find all the tested and working methods so you can deal with it quickly and efficiently.
Let’s get started.
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Pre-Emptive Fixes For The Unidentified Network Error
Before we get into the more specific and complex methods, it’s best to try these general, pre-emptive fixes that could solve the problem without forcing you to spend too much time troubleshooting and taking the longer approach in general.
Restart Your Router
You can do this by pressing the power button, which is usually located on the device’s backside. After turning the router off, wait for about five minutes, then turn it back on. This sometimes fixes the problem immediately.
You can also restart your computer while waiting for the five minutes to pass before turning on your router again.
Re-connect The Cables
Sometimes a simple issue with the cable could potentially be the cause of a problem similar to the one you’re facing at the moment.
Ensuring the cables are in the right ports and tightly connected is always recommended. You can re-plug them, just in case. Even trying a different LAN cable or plugging the router into a different power socket is a good idea.
Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Before getting into any fixes and searching for the problem on your end, it’s wise to contact your ISP and ask if there are any known issues they’re currently dealing with.
They can track the whole process up to your computer and let you know if the problem is on your end or something with their system that they are or weren’t aware of until now.
Disable Flight Mode On Your Computer
Many users reported that disabling the Windows Flight mode helped them solve this issue immediately.
It’s possible that you forgot this setting and left it on after using it, or unknowingly used a shortcut that activated it without you noticing. Disable it to solve the issue.
Fix 1: Use The “Release” And “Renew” Commands In Command Prompt
For this specific fix, you’ll need to launch either Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell in elevated mode, which means using the “Run as Administrator” option.
Follow the steps below:
- Press Windows + S on your keyboard to open the Windows Search Box.
- Type in Command Prompt or PowerShell, then right-click on the first result and choose Run as Administrator. In the image example below, we used Command Prompt.
- Once the window opens, type in: “ipconfig /release” and press Enter on your keyboard. Then, type in “ipconfig renew” and press Enter on your keyboard.
Now, the problem should be fixed.
However, this method may not work for everyone, so if that is the case, we recommend moving on to the other fixes listed below.
Fix 2: Flush Your DNS Resolver Cache
Flushing your DNS Resolver Cache has numerous benefits, and some users reported that it helped them fix the problem where Windows marks the network as unidentified.
The process is easy and requires the use of one simple command in Command Prompt, but if you aren’t sure how to do it, simply follow the steps below:
- Simultaneously press the Windows + S buttons on your keyboard to open the Windows Search Box.
- Type in Command Prompt, then right-click the first result and choose Run as Administrator to launch an elevated version of the panel.
- Type in “netsh winsock reset” and press Enter to execute the command.
- Type in “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter to execute the command. You will see a returning message that confirms the action, meaning you’ve successfully flushed the DNS Cache.
- Restart your computer.
Now you should check if the issue is still there. For some users, this method fixed the problem right away, and it might do the same for you. If it doesn’t, however, check out the other fixes below.
Fix 3: Reinstall The Network Driver Using Device Manager
This method is the most time-consuming one but has the highest success chance. Reinstalling the network driver through the Windows Device Manager panel is a popular fix for this problem, as seen in one of the many Reddit threads covering this topic.
Here’s how to do it:
- Press Windows + S to open the Windows Search Box.
- Type in Device Manager and click on the first result.
- Expand the Network Adapters section.
- Locate the malfunctioning device, then right-click on it and choose Uninstall Device. Make sure to also “tick” the “Delete the driver software for this device” option as well, and then confirm the uninstall.
- Restart your computer.
For some users, the problem is solved by the end of this step. If it isn’t for you, continue following the steps. - Open the Device Manager panel again and see if the device you uninstalled during step #4 is now back on the list. If it is, right-click it and choose Update Driver. If it’s not, right-click the Network Adapters section, then choose Scan for hardware changes.
- Install the drivers.
- Restart your computer.
The problem should now be solved.
Fix 4: Update Windows To The Latest Version
Lastly, we recommend updating Windows to the latest version as a possible solution for the unidentified network problem.
Although it seems like a desperate fix, it has helped many users and it’s worth trying as having the latest Windows updates is important for other things as well, such as security and stability.
To check for Windows updates, right-click the Windows logo located in the bottom-left corner of your screen, and then choose Settings. Click on Windows Update at the top to open the panel for updates, and then click Check for updates.
If there are any new updates, Windows will download and install them on your computer. This will likely fix the unidentified network issue.
If you experience any issues in the process, take a look at our helpful Windows 10 updates guide where we cover this topic in detail.
Conclusion
With that said, you now know more about the unidentified network error on Windows, a problem that has been troubling many users.
While this issue is frustrating to experience, as it prevents you from connecting to the internet, it’s relatively easy to solve and isn’t serious.
Hopefully, the methods listed in this guide helped you solve the problem permanently.
