Resolve error "unidentified network" on Windows

The internet connection is usually automatic on each PC and just connect the network cable or click the detected Wi-Fi network to connect online. In some cases we may come across an error or a network connection problem. The message that appears in the event of an error may be that of the unidentified network or that it is impossible to connect to that network. We also notice the problem because the icon of the network connection near the clock, both that of the Wi-Fi and that of the ethernet cable, shows an exclamation point (on old versions of Windows) or a terrestrial globe (on Windows 10) , a clear sign that there is no longer an Internet connection.In the following guide we will show you how resolve errors for unidentified or unable to connect network, a problem that can really have many origins and different solutions; trying them all we will always be able to reconfigure the network on Windows 10, 7 and 8 PCs and go back to surfing normally.

READ ALSO -> Not connected or no internet connection: how to fix on PC

Windows 10 Network Reset

In Windows 10 we can solve this type of problem by resetting the network connection from the PC Settings. To proceed then we open the Start menu, search and select the app Settings, let’s open the menu Network and internet, let’s get to the menu State, scroll the right side of the window and finally click on the item Network reset.

In the new window we click on Reset and wait for the computer to restart, so as to restore all the network cards on the PC and eliminate any customization concerning the cards or connections.
From the same window we can also open the connection problem diagnosis tool: to use this tool, all we have to do is click on Network troubleshooting, wait for the scan and apply the suggestions or corrections indicated, so as to be back online immediately.

Network recovery from command prompt

If the previous method did not work, we can always open the command prompt and apply some simple commands, so as to restore the Windows connection manually. To open the command prompt, press on the Start menu, look for the app Command Prompt, click on it with the right button, open the menu Other and select the item Run as administrator.

Once we enter the prompt, we execute the following commands one at a time, so that we can restore every aspect of the network connection:

netsh winsock reset

netsh int ip reset

ipconfig /flushdns

After launching all the commands, restart the computer to complete the operation. In this regard, we invite you to also read our guide How to use the ipconfig command to reset the internet.

Disable the antivirus

If the network connection does not restore, we can try to disable the antivirus or security suite on Windows, so as to find out if they are interfering with the connection.

If we have a third-party antivirus, just search for the specific app from the Start menu and, once open, turn off all types of protection (only momentarily); if instead we use Windows Defender we can try to disable them by reading our guides How to Disable Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows 10.

Does the connection work without protection? It is therefore advisable to focus on another safety solution, perhaps choosing from those present in the guide Best Free Antivirus of 2021 for PC.

Manage the network card drivers

If all the methods seen so far have not led to any solution, all that remains is to try to update or uninstall the drivers of the network card in use, in order to solve any software problems deriving from faulty drivers or from “crazy” drivers. To proceed, press the right button on the Start menu, open the menu Device management, let’s expand the section Network cards, right-click on the network card currently in use, select the menu Property, let’s go to the Driver tab and press on Update Driver or his Uninstall Driver.

After updating or uninstalling the driver, we restart the computer to make the changes effective; at the next restart the network card will be installed again with the Microsoft driver or with the last driver loaded on the system. For more information we can also read our guide Disabling driver updates in Windows 10 and Downloading updated drivers to install safely.

Conclusions

Once you have tried all the reset attempts seen in the previous chapters, the PC should be able to connect to the Internet again, although it will be necessary to re-enter the password to connect to the Wi-Fi network as this information has been cleared and reset with the above procedure. If the problems persist, we must assume the breaking of the network card: to go back to connect to the Internet again we can try to buy a USB network adapter such as the TP-Link Chiavetta WiFi AC1300Mbps Archer T3U Plus, sold and shipped by Amazon for less than 30 €.

To learn more we can also read our guides Limited or no connectivity, solution to errors on sockets, LSP and TCP / IP Stack e Troubleshoot Internet and network connection problems on the PC.