How to resolve DNS issues on Windows 11 that began after an update

kshea6 Oct 16, 2025, 11:28 PM

Following a Windows 11 update ((KB5065789) (26100.6725)) I was unable to load web pages, get messages downloaded to Outlook, etc., yet my laptop showed that it was connected to the wireless network. I tried a wired connection to my router; same issues. Then I failed to ssh to a Linux desktop on my home network using its hostname, so I sshed using its IP address and it worked fine. I concluded that the network was fine and DNS was broken. Backing out the update and rebooting gave me 5 minutes of relief and then the same problem. ‘ipconfig /flushdns’ and ‘netsh winsock reset’ followed by a reboot solved the problem until the next Windows Update 10 days later (a different update KB5066131). Then the same problem reoccurred. This time, backing out the update and the DNS commands above gave me 16 hours of relief and then the same problem. Please offer any advice on how to solve this issue. I have Windows Updates suspended and the computer is not real useful right now. The following facts are further increasing my lack of figuring out a next step:

1. I am adding this question from a Firefox browser running on an Ubuntu VM on the very same laptop that cannot load a web page. That works but Windows itself doesn’t.
2. I can now ssh to the Linux box using its hostname but that’s the only DNSey thing that works from Windows 11.
3. My wife applied the same Windows updates on her laptop and has had no issues. Our ipconfig/all output looks the same except where you’d expect differences (e.g. IPaddr).
4. Our router hasn’t changed in several years and the firmware level is frozen by Xfinity (Netgear C7100V). All other network devices in the home work fine.
5. When I can’t load a page in Edge it tells me I’m offline. When I click the Troubleshoot button it tells me I’m online.
6. I have brought all apps down and brought them up one by one (Outlook, edge, firefox) observing in task manager and they still don’t work and the CPU is not busy.
7. virus scanning finds nothing.

Thanks. Windows for home | Windows 11 | Internet and connectivity

I have the same question

 2{count} votes

1. kshea610Reputation pointsOct 16, 2025, 11:43 PMTo clarify, Firefox on the Windows 11 side cannot load anything (nor can Edge, Outlook can’t download messages), etc., but Firefox running on an Ubuntu VM created using Virtual Box can load pages. I ran the Ubuntu VM for a couple of months starting in July and the Windows side worked fine the whole time – I had zero network issues. I do not run the Ubuntu VM any more but I just thought it would be a useful experiment to try to isolate the problem. Sure seems like a Windows 11 software problem to me. 
2. Cal Tom20Reputation pointsOct 18, 2025, 5:37 AMSame updates caused same problem for me, don’t know anything about a ubuntu or ssh, just that my internet fluctuates between connected, connected with no internet, DCHS error, DNS error, and all the while firefox or chrome or edge won’t load a page. My personal network and a public library network don’t work so it’s definitely not just my phone’s hotspot 
3. Clippy-30840Reputation pointsOct 19, 2025, 10:18 PMI’m having the exact same issue. It also started for me after installing an update on thursday (17th october).Here’s what I’ve tried so far:
   1. Flushed DNS (ipconfig /flushdns)
   2. Reset Winsock (netsh winsock reset)
   3. Disabled and re-enabled both Wi-Fi and Ethernet adapters
   4. Tried both wired and wireless connections (same result)
   5. Set manual DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 1.1.1.1
   6. Installed Windows 11 from usb (had Windows 10 before)
   Internet works perfectly on the same machine when I boot into Linux Mint (dual-boot setup), so the issue is clearly Windows-specific. 

Sign in to comment

3 answers

1. jwince0Reputation pointsOct 20, 2025, 8:40 PMI’m having the same, since yesterday (19th), but my last windows update was on the 15th. I don’t have the OP’s KB patch. Every other device on my network is fine, and that includes other win11 boxes with the same patch history (although updated more recently). I have AVGFree, running mostly Unity game engine the last few days, Firefox, VSC, Obsidian. Nothing weird. Network, I connect to TP-Link homeplugs, and a broadband router with DHCP and its own DNS cache proxy. Tried changing to my ISP DNS directly, but makes no difference. Maybe a slightly higher chance if I’m not doing anything on it. It is totally annoying because I have to the winsock reset and reboot every time. Hope there’s an answer can be found and patched quick!Please sign in to rate this answer.Sign in to comment
2. CB0Reputation pointsOct 22, 2025, 5:06 PMI was unable to connect to wi-fi after the last update, but got windows support and this is what fixed it. run the command prompt as administrator. The run each of these commands (leave out the step numbers). Then restart! Please sign in to rate this answer.Sign in to comment
3. Cal Tom2 Oct 23, 2025, 1:27 AMUninstall all VPNs via add or remove programs, then in admin prompt run netsh wlan show profiles to list your networks and netsh wlan delete profile name="ProfileName" to remove unneeded ones, then reconnect to your network.this worked for me yesterday, still using firefox good luck gangPlease sign in to rate this answer.Sign in to comment

Additional resources

Troubleshoot name resolution issues in Microsoft Azure – Training

Name resolution is the process of matching the name of a computer to its network address. This module looks at name resolution issues for public networks, private networks, and internal networks that connect to Azure. AZ720 AZ-720 az-720 networking

Documentation

• Troubleshoot DNS Client Name Resolution Issues – Windows ClientHelps troubleshoot DNS client name resolution issues.
• Troubleshoot DNS name resolution on the Internet – Windows ServerDescribes how to troubleshoot DNS name resolution on the Internet in Microsoft Windows Server.
• DNS requests appear to be random after startup or after network properties change – Windows ClientIn certain circumstances, DNS client may send DNS name resolution requests that appear to be random

Other Microsoft links….

• Manage cookies
• AI Disclaimer
• Previous Versions
• Blog
• Contribute
• Privacy
• Terms of Use
• Code of Conduct
• Trademarks
• © Microsoft 2025

Primary solution (see below for alternative)

I was unable to connect to wi-fi after the last update, but got windows support and this is what fixed it. run the command prompt as administrator. The run each of these commands (leave out the step numbers). Then restart!

Alternative solution (suggestion)

Cal Tom20Reputation points

Oct 23, 2025, 1:27 AM

Uninstall all VPNs via add or remove programs, then in admin prompt run netsh wlan show profiles to list your networks and netsh wlan delete profile name="ProfileName" to remove unneeded ones, then reconnect to your network.

this worked for me yesterday, still using firefox good luck gang

from Microsoft forums here