When you have problems with your network and/or internet connection, don’t hesitate to use the troubleshooting wizards that are bundled with Windows. They are easy to use and they can help you identify what’s wrong and how to fix your problems. In most cases, they will get the job done and help you more than expected. In this tutorial, we will show you how to start the network and internet troubleshooting wizards that Windows has to offer and how to work with them in order to fix your networking problems.
NOTE: This guide applies to Windows 10, Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users.
How to find the network and internet troubleshooting wizards in the Control Panel
One of the easiest ways to access the network and Internet troubleshooting wizards is to open the Network and Sharing Center by going to “Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center” . Then, click or tap the “Troubleshoot problems” link on the bottom of the window. While the Network and Sharing Center window looks a bit different, depending on the version of Windows that you are using, the “Troubleshoot problems” link is always on the bottom of the window.
This opens the list of network and internet troubleshooting wizards that are available in Windows: Internet Connections, Shared Folders, HomeGroup, Network Adapter and Incoming Connections . If you have a printer installed on your Windows computer, you will also see a Printer troubleshooting wizard.
How to use search to start the troubleshooting wizards
As always, you can also use search to launch the troubleshooting wizards.
In Windows 10, in Cortana’s search box on the taskbar, type the word troubleshooting and click or tap the search result with the same name.
In Windows 7, type the word troubleshooting in the Start Menu search box. Then, click the Troubleshooting search result.
In Windows 8.1, go to the Start screen, type the word troubleshooting and click or tap the search result with the same name.
Clicking or tapping the Troubleshooting search result reveals the Troubleshooting window, where you find all the troubleshooting tools that are included in Windows. To display the troubleshooting wizards you are interested in, click or tap Network and Internet .
Now start the troubleshooting wizard that interests you. If you don’t know what each wizard does, read the next section of this tutorial.
