The Problem: Why Your WiFi Works But Websites Won’t Load
Picture this: You’re working from a coffee shop one day, then head home or to the office, connect to WiFi, and suddenly… nothing loads. Your WiFi icon shows you’re connected, but every website gives you an error. Sound familiar?
This frustrating issue happens more often than you’d think, especially if you frequently move between different WiFi networks. The culprit? Your DNS settings getting stuck on manual configuration.
What’s Actually Happening
When you connect to different WiFi networks—switching between home, work, hotels, or coffee shops—Windows 11 sometimes saves static DNS server addresses from one of those networks. These DNS servers are like the internet’s phone book, translating website names (like google.com) into IP addresses your computer can actually use.
The problem is that manual DNS settings only work on the specific network where they were configured. When you connect to a different WiFi network, your computer keeps trying to reach those old DNS servers that are no longer accessible. Result? You’re “connected” to WiFi but can’t actually reach any websites.
How to Identify the Problem
Before we fix it, let’s confirm DNS is actually the issue. Here’s a quick test:
1. Test with Command Prompt
Press Windows key + R, type cmd, and hit Enter. In the Command Prompt window, type:
ping google.comIf you see “Request timed out” or “Ping request could not find host,” your DNS isn’t working.
2. Test with Your Browser
Try opening any website like ESPN.com or CNN.com in your browser. If you see errors like:
- “This site can’t be reached”
- “DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET”
- “Server DNS address could not be found”
You’ve confirmed it’s a DNS problem.
The Fix: Resetting DNS to Automatic in Windows 11
Good news—fixing this is straightforward. Here’s the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Open Windows Settings
Click the Start button and select Settings (or press Windows key + I).
Step 2: Navigate to Your WiFi Settings
- Click on Network & Internet in the left sidebar
- Click on WiFi
- Click on your currently connected network (it will show “Connected” underneath)
Step 3: Change DNS to Automatic
- Scroll down until you see DNS server assignment
- You’ll likely see it says “Manual”—that’s the problem!
- Click the Edit button next to DNS server assignment
- In the popup window, change the dropdown from Manual to Automatic (DHCP)
- Click Save
That’s it! Your DNS settings are now set to automatic, which means Windows will automatically use the correct DNS servers for whatever network you connect to.
Verifying the Fix
Want to make sure the change actually took effect? Here’s how to double-check:
Check in Advanced Adapter Settings
- While still in Network & Internet settings, scroll down and click More adapter options
- In the Network Connections window, right-click your WiFi adapter
- Select Properties
- Find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) in the list and select it
- Click the Properties button
- You should now see “Obtain DNS server address automatically” is selected
Perfect! This confirms your settings are correct.
Testing Your Internet Connection
Now let’s verify everything works:
1. Test with Ping Again
Go back to Command Prompt and run:
ping google.comYou should now see successful replies from Google’s servers with response times like “Reply from 142.250.x.x: bytes=32 time=15ms”
2. Test with Your Browser
Open your browser and try visiting:
- Google.com
- ESPN.com
- Any other website
Everything should load normally now!
Why This Solution Works
By setting DNS to automatic (DHCP), you’re telling Windows: “Don’t use fixed DNS servers—instead, ask each WiFi network I connect to which DNS servers I should use.”
This means:
- ✅ Your internet works on your home network
- ✅ Your internet works at coffee shops
- ✅ Your internet works at hotels
- ✅ Your internet works at the office
- ✅ No more manual configuration needed
Windows will automatically adapt to each network’s settings, just like your phone does.
Prevention: Avoiding This Problem in the Future
Now that your DNS is set to automatic, you shouldn’t experience this problem again. However, here are some tips:
Be Careful with Network “Optimization” Tools
Some third-party network optimization software or VPN applications might change your DNS settings. If you install such tools, check your DNS settings afterward.
Avoid Manually Setting DNS Unless Necessary
Only set manual DNS servers if you have a specific reason (like using parental controls or custom DNS for privacy). If you do set manual DNS, remember it will only work on that specific network.
Check DNS When Troubleshooting
If you ever experience connectivity issues again, DNS settings should be one of the first things you check.
Alternative DNS Settings for Advanced Users
While automatic DNS works for most people, some users prefer using public DNS servers like:
- Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
- Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
- Quad9 DNS: 9.9.9.9
If you travel frequently between networks, these won’t help—you’ll face the same problem. However, if you primarily use one network and want faster DNS resolution or additional features, public DNS servers can be a good choice.
Troubleshooting: What If It Still Doesn’t Work?
If you’ve followed all these steps and still can’t access websites, try these additional fixes:
1. Restart Your Computer
Sometimes Windows needs a fresh start to fully apply network changes.
2. Forget and Reconnect to the WiFi Network
Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks, select your network, click Forget, then reconnect.
3. Reset Network Settings
Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. This will reset all network adapters and settings to defaults.
4. Update Network Drivers
Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your WiFi adapter, and select Update driver.
Wrapping Up
DNS configuration issues are one of the most common—and most frustrating—network problems Windows 11 users face. The good news is that switching your DNS settings from manual to automatic takes less than a minute and solves the problem permanently for most users.
Remember: if you frequently move between different WiFi networks, keeping DNS set to automatic is almost always the best choice. Let Windows handle the technical details so you can focus on your work.
Have you experienced this problem before? What other WiFi issues have you encountered in Windows 11? Drop a comment below and let me know!
Watch the Video Tutorial
Prefer a visual guide? Check out my step-by-step video tutorial showing exactly how to fix this problem:
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