You had a virus, drive corruption, or some other OS altering situation. But, being the hero you are, you resolved it and your PC is up and running again. That is, until you try to access the internet or some other network resource. The computer sits there trying to access that web page but nothing is happening… (Much like a MAC and its “spinning wheel of death“). First you check your network connection… Then check to see if you have obtained an IP address and other credentials. All good. What gives?
One possibility is that you have a corrupt TCP/IP stack. What is the TCP/IP stack? First, TCP/IP is an important part of the operating system that allows it to communicate across a network. (Transmission Control Protocol /Internet Protocol) Network architectures are designed in layers, such as TCP/IP, OSI and SNA, and are called “stacks.” (See TCP/IP, OSI model and protocol stack)
What can causes a corrupt TCP/IP stack? Drive corruption can cause this, or sometimes a virus can re-write your TCP/IP stack to suit it’s purposes – Bend it to it’s will, so to speak. So when you remove said virus your TCP/IP layer is rendered unusable to the operating system (corrupted).
To fix this issue we use the NetShell utility. The NetShell utility (netsh) is a command-line scripting interface for the configuring and monitoring of Windows XP, Server 2003 and Windows Vista networking services. This will reinstall and reset the TCP/IP stack (Internet Protocol) to its original state. To do this in Windows XP or Server 2003 we used the following command:
netsh int ip reset [ log_file_name ]
Example:
netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
The above command will reset the TCP/IP stack and write a log file called resetlog.txt, recording it’s actions.
Windows Vista, adds a little hitch to the process because of the UAC (User Access Control).
To reset the Stack in Windows Vista there are a few more steps:
- Click the Start Pearl.
- Type Cmd in the Search box.
- Press the Ctrl-Shift-Enter (this is a shortcut that will run the Command Prompt as Administrator. )
- Type netsh int ip reset at the Command Prompt then press the Enter key.
- You will then have to restart the computer to complete the reset.
The command will remove all user configured settings on TCP/IP stack and return it to original default state. After the reboot completes, your network and internet browsing and use should return.
If you facing network connection issue, or more accurately unable to access or connect to Internet
or network problem in Windows Vista, Windows 2003 and Windows XP, and repair WinSock settings plus workaround for Vista IE7 strange no connection problem do not save your from Internet woes, you can try to reinstall and reset TCP/IP stack or Internet Protocol, one of the core component of the operating system
, which cannot be uninstalled.
Again, with a corrupt TCP/IP stack, the same woes may happen – unable to establish a connection to the server, unable to load a web page, unable to browse and surf the Internet, even though network connection to broadband router
or wireless router appear to be OK.
When all means run out, try to reinstall the IP stack with NetShell utility. NetShell utility (netsh) is a command-line scripting interface for the configuring and monitoring of Windows XP
, 2003 and Vista networking service.
To reinstall and reset the TCP/IP stack (Internet Protocol) to its original state as same as when the operating system was installed in Windows XP and Windows 2003, simply use the following command in command prompt shell. A log file name must be specified where actions taken by netsh will be recorded on newly created or appended if already existed file..
netsh int ip reset [ log_file_name ]
Example:
netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
For Windows Vista, things work a little different due to introduction of UAC (Guide: Disable UAC). Use this guide to perform a reinstalling of TCP/IP protocol in Vista:
- Click on Start button.
- Type Cmd in the Start Search text box.
- Press Ctrl-Shift-Enter keyboard shortcut to run Command Prompt as Administrator. Allow elevation request.
- Type netsh int ip reset in the Command Prompt shell, and then press the Enter key.
- Restart the computer.
The command will remove all user configured settings on TCP/IP stack and return it to original default state by rewriting pertinent registry keys that are used by the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) stack to achieve the same result as the removal and the reinstallation of the protocol
© 2009, Robert Owen. All rights reserved.
Chris Dawes says
November 17, 2009 at 4:20 amCan you rename this to Vista/Windows 7 as this would be super useful for those who are upgrading as this has happened on about 60% of upgrades from vista.
Thanks.
Cheers,
Chris
Tanner says
December 1, 2009 at 11:44 pmThank you so much i have had this problem with my internet for so long i was about to give up my uncle who is really good with comps and he couldnt figure it out when i stumbled upon this i was reading and i was like well i had a virus sounds like me……..Thank You
Robert Owen says
December 2, 2009 at 8:09 amNo problem! Glad it helped!!
Smay says
January 15, 2010 at 9:05 amHaving same issue – I think. Vista 64bit. THe shift+ctrl+enter thing doesn’t noticeably do any thing different for me… I get:
Resetting Echo Request, failed.
The requested operation requires elevation.
and so on for Global, Interface… failed, elevation
“There’s no user specified settings to be reset”
Say what?!
I’m on my laptop using my wireless, but my desktop all of a sudden has no internet or default gateway when wired to the same router.
Smay says
January 15, 2010 at 9:13 amOK – figured it out. Shortcut didn’t work for me to get admin rights, so here’s how you get there:
Start/programs/accessories/command prompt…right click and select ” run as administrator , that will get you into the ” required elevation ”
Ran the command again & got a bunch of OKs and a request to reboot.
I am still “connected to an unidentified network” without internet access, but I thought I’d post the alternate to the hot keys for admin cmd.
Robert Owen says
January 15, 2010 at 9:18 ammake sure and type the “cmd” command into the run box then hit “ctrl-shift-enter” that should produce a UAC prompt (assuming you still have that turned on) click yes and the command prompt will open. IF that still doesn’t work for you, go to start-All Programs-Accessories, then right-click on “command prompt” select “Run as Administrator” from the list. Then when the command prompt opens, try the reset command again.
Robert Owen says
January 15, 2010 at 9:28 amLittle slow on the reply this morning.. Glad you got the right command prompt open. Are you getting an IP address from your router? If not, try manually assigning one. Look at the ip on your note book to see the range to use.
Smay says
January 15, 2010 at 9:46 amWay faster than Microsoft – thanks! Yeah – I already tried to manually put it in the desktop. 192.168.1.1, 255.255.255.0 Do I do it for IP6 & IP4?
Robert Owen says
January 15, 2010 at 10:01 amGenerally .1 is the gateway (router) look at the laptop’s IP.. open a command prompt and type “ipconfig” if the gaterway is .1 try something like,
IP: 192.168.1.55
sub: 255.255.255.0
gate: 192.168.1.1
set the DNS to the gateway IP as well. If the gateway is something else (it might be .254) just substitute that in your set-up. IF all that still doesn’t work. You could try going into the control panel. Open the Device Manager, Expand the “Network adapter group” Find your network adapter in the list, right-click on it and select “properties” from the menu. A window will open, select the drive tab, try the Roll Back driver button. If it doesn’t let you, close that window.
Find your network adapter in the list again, right-click on it and uninstall it. When it is removed, reboot the machine. Windows should see it and try to reinstall it. If it does not, go back into the control panel and click the “scan for hardware changes” button… if it still doesn’t see it that is probably the problem the card itself may be faulty. In that case, if it is still under warranty, get in touch with your dealer. If not, go to the store (Office depot, Office max, Bestbuy, target, walmart) and pick up a network card that is certified to work in Vista. Shouldn’t cost too much and it’s an easy install.
Smay says
January 15, 2010 at 10:07 amSo how ’bout this… I put in all the manual DNS/gateway entries (192.168.1.103 – laptop was on 101 & 102, 255.255.255.0, and the 2 DNS entries it had listed). When I ipconfig it still shows an auto configuration for IPv4 at 169.254.159.231 and a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 and no gateway. I did a release and a renew. Same thing. I check the device manager & it still has my manual entries. Incidentally, I had made the change AGAIN to “private” vs. “public” for my unidentified, local, limited network. Nothing. So I restart. I’m “public” with the same autoconfiguration numbers and in the device manager my IPv4 is again set on Obtain Automatically versus the manual entries I had saved. I’m beginning to think my computer has a mind of its own. I’m obviously not in charge!
Smay says
January 15, 2010 at 9:43 amUGH… I need help?! I disabled the wireless on my laptop. Checked it with the wired connection: I have internet. Took that cable, plugged it into my desktop vista 64bit machine, and no internet, an unidentified network with local access only, apparently a “public” network (I’ve reset it to private and restarted a million times per http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/list/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing&tid=81057db5-0a65-4951-9f63-bd24fb9e848e&cat=en_us_fdf138d6-427a-48d6-84dc-a91a6c9fbb45&lang=en&cr=us&sloc=en-us&m=1&p=1&mid=939283ca-ccab-4987-9824-97ec664801e6) – so it’s not my router (I even reset that) or the cable and is definitely within the desktop. I even changed WORKGROUP to match my XP laptop’s MS_HOME workgroup – despite me not really caring about the LAN at the moment. The internet worked 2 days ago before the desktop did one of those supposed-to-go-to-sleep-after-a-while-but-its-lit-up-and-awake but the monitor wouldn’t detect it…. twice in a week. Since the restart I’ve lost the internet. I’ve restored back to the last system checkpoint on the 12th (which is prior to some Windows update on the 14th which must have installed when I restarted the not-sleeping-yet-unresponsive PC) and nothing… still no internet, no default gateway… The vista machine is new as of July with Vista Home Premium SP2 64bit running. Now what? I’m stumped.
Robert Owen says
January 15, 2010 at 10:05 amOh.. forgot just use the TCP/IP v4 in the setup.
Smay says
January 15, 2010 at 10:21 amDid it in IPv4 only. Also just got back from the reboot after uninstall. It automatically reinstalled the software and says my “NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller” is ready to use… and yet I still have a local, limited, unidentified network without internet. I was almost hoping I could just go to Wal-Mart and get a new NIC… I need a break. I haven’t gotten anywhere since I started this last night, including in bed yet. I’ll mull it over some more and haunt the Microsoft site a bit more later. I REALLY appreciate you taking the time this morning. THANKS!
Smay says
January 16, 2010 at 10:49 pmHere’s something odd. I went into properties on my Local Area Connection, disabled IPv6 and re-entered my own IP/DNS entries. From there I was prompted to setup “Network 2”. It defaults to this now & when I ipconfig, I get 192.168.1.103, 255.255.255.0, and 192.168.1.1 respectively. My request times out when I ping 192.168.1.1, though on the 2nd & 4th ping I get a reply from 192.158.1.103 (the desktop) that the destination host is unreachable. I still have Local access only with no internet so it really didn’t make a difference.
On restart, it retains my manual entries now and the “private” network, but I can’t see my other computers or the internet.
In the meantime, here’s the ipconfig from yesterday, before I went in and disabled IPv6 and the rest of the above stuff – which didn’t do anything but change the IP/DNS entries and disable DHCP:
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Desktop_PC
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-24-E8-2E-F8-0B
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::2042:5e15:1b17:f740%14(Preferred)
Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address. . : 169.254.247.64(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 301999336
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-11-E7-66-1D-00-24-E8-2E-F8-0B
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled
Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1E-4C-E6-3B-5C
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 6:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.{5B680CC4-9A63-4F62-973A-09897CABC
F74}
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 7:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 13:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : isatap.{3D7B80A9-A9D7-4AA7-9C97-A840E55A5
E11}
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Smay says
January 17, 2010 at 5:09 amOh, help, help, help…
OMG! So after 2 hours on the phone with Dell, doing roughly the same thing we did here (see http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-GB/vistanetworking/thread/b0888a9e-11c5-4ded-bcfd-eab7b5078d7b) minus any addressing of the IPv4 & IPv6, they want me to reinstall the operating system… It took me 2.5 days to move all my stuff from my old computer to this new one. My entire business is on this PC?! Doesn’t that seem extreme for not being able to connect to the internet???? There has to be another solution. He said if it doesn’t work after I backup and reinstall, that they’ll have to pluck out the motherboard.
For real? I’m going to try an external NIC card first – I think – before i do all that… What do you think!
Robert Owen says
January 17, 2010 at 9:31 amI would definitely try an above board NIC before I did a wipe and reinstall. you can get a NIC between $10 and $20… That is a whole lot better than doing a OS wipe and reinstall and finding out it still doesn’t work. Just be sure to disable the on-board NIC after you install the new one. Good luck!
Smay says
January 21, 2010 at 2:27 amYou are so not going to believe this…. I still haven’t received my USB ethernet adaptor, BUT….
I was running a print job on one printer, started one on another, and turned on my heat press, causing me to trip the breaker in my office. I turn everything back on. Restart my Vista machine and boot normally (took my chances w/o safe mode) and LO AND BEHOLD, it prompted me to pick a network (I had managed to create another one through all this mess to no avail) and I can see all my other machines AND I HAVE INTERNET…. Any explanations?
Incidentally, my power does go out from time to time. Can you recommend a good surge protector, maybe one with a battery backup?
Robert Owen says
January 21, 2010 at 9:02 amWow.. So, it sounds like the NIC card took a surge. Interesting. Well, I’m glad it’s working. I would keep the new NIC handy should it go south completely. If you’ve got power issues, I would recommend a good Battery Backup first. I use APC back-ups and have had good results. The size of battery will depend on how many computers you are actually wanting to keep going. But at the minimum, I would get an APC 750: http://www.amazon.com/APC-BE750G-10-Outlet-Power-Saving-Uninterruptible/dp/B000Z80ICM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1264081975&sr=8-2 This would be good for 1 computer and monitor…
Smay says
January 22, 2010 at 12:43 amOrdered it. Thank you so much for your continued support. You’ve been great!!!
Robert Owen says
January 22, 2010 at 1:10 amNot a problem. 🙂
Raymon Stensland says
June 8, 2010 at 8:50 amHave you ever thought about putting more videos for your site articles to have the readers even more entertained? I mean I just went through the whole posting of yours and it had been pretty great but because I am far more of a visual learner, I found videos to be far more helpful. well, let me know what you think.
aanchal says
December 4, 2014 at 11:56 amnice post thanks for sharing keep it up