How to Fix Unidentified Network Problem on Windows 10

Jun. 24, 2022 / Updated by
Daphne to
Windows 10

Windows 10 Unidentified network problem often occurs after the Windows 10 upgrade like Windows 10 Fall Creators Update version 1709 / Windows 10 April 2018 Update version 1803 / Windows 10 October 2018 Update version 1809 / Windows 10 May 2019 Update version 1903 / Creators Update / Anniversary Update. In fact, Windows 10 is never free from network issues, like no WiFi available after update, WiFi adapter not showing up issue, no Bluetooth connection, etc..

In this case, the network icon in the notification area shows a yellow exclamation mark and says “Unidentified network- no network access”. Also, when opening the Network Connections, you will find a red cross beside the Ethernet or the Wireless Network Connection icon. You can’t surf the Internet with your browsers like Microsoft Edge, IE, Google Chrome, etc..

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Many factors can result in the unidentified network problem on Windows 10 and its predecessors like Windows 8, 8.1, 7, etc. And here are top 7 methods of how to fix Windows 10 unidentified network issue, applied to Windows 10 Anniversary Update, Windows 10 Creators Update, Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, Windows 10 April 2018 Update and more.

How to Fix Windows 10 Unidentified Network Problem

Below are several methods to resolve the Windows 10 unidentified network issue, some of which also adapt to Windows 8, 7 and other Windows OS.

Method 1. Windows 10 Unidentified Network Caused by Hardware

Firstly, make sure there are no problems with the network-related hardware, like the router, the network card, USB wireless dongle, etc., which should be checked just in case you waste time on other useless computer operations. Reconnect the network cables. Restart the wireless router and the modem. Also make sure the network card sits right in the port.

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Method 2. Turn off the Airplane Mode on Windows 10 Fall Creators Update / Creators Update / Anniversary Update

Windows airplane mode is the special networking setting that can control the wireless signal receiving. Windows 10 airplane mode on and off errors will also affect the network connection and result in the Windows 10 unidentified network issue. Turn off or disable the airplane mode if you want a normal network connection.

Method 3. Disable and Re-enable the Network on Windows 10 Fall Creators Update / Creators Update / Anniversary Update

It is an easy way to reset the network adapter so that the Windows 10 unidentified network or no network access issue is resolved.

Step 1. Launch the Open Network and Sharing Center.

Step 2. Right click the icon Ethernet or Wireless Network Connection with unidentified network.

Step 3. Select the Disable.

Step 4. Right-click the icon and re-enable it.

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Method 4. Update the Network Card / Adapter Drivers to Fix Windows 10 Unidentified Network Issue

Outdated or incompatible drivers will cause Windows 10 unidentified network and other Windows 10 issues, such as ghost touch screen, slow boot issues, mouse and keyboard not working, etc.. So it is recommended to update the network card / adapter drivers.

You could use driver download and update tools like Driver Talent to update the network drivers and fix the Windows 10 unidentified network issue.

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Step 1. Scan Drivers Causing the Windows 10 Unidentified Network Issue

The smart tool will detect all the problematic network drivers after the update.

Step 2. Update the Drivers

Click Update to download and install the latest and compatible network drivers and fix the network issue.

Step 3. Reboot the PC

Restart the PC to make the newly installed drivers take effect.

You can also use Driver Talent for Network Card if there is no network available when you update the drivers.

Note: Since you have no network on your own PC, you can use a USB drive to transfer the driver files or the Driver Talent downloaded elsewhere, or you can download the files via your smartphone and then paste them to your computer. Addition, in case driver crashes annoy you unexpectedly after the system changes, don’t forget to back up the drivers or create a system restore point.

Method 5. Disable Conflict Network Connection Items

The programs or software related to network, like wireless manager or VPN program, may affect the network card to communicate and result in the Windows 10 unidentified network or no network access issue. So disable the conflict items and here are the steps:

Step 1. Right click the network icon in the notification area to select Open Network and Sharing Center.

Step 2. Click on Change Adapter Settings.

Step 3. Right click the Ethernet or Local Area Connection.

Step 4. Select Properties.

Step 5. Choose the Network tab.

Step 6. Uninstall the conflict items on the list.

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Method 6. Run Windows 10 Troubleshooter

You could also use Windows 10 Troubleshooter to fix the Windows 10 unidentified network issue.

Step 1. Right click the network icon in the notification area.

Step 2. Select Troubleshoot problems.

Step 3. Make the Windows Network Diagnostics detect the problems.

Step 4. Follow the instruction on the screen to fix the network issues.

See Also: Fix: Ethernet Not Working Issue on Windows 10

Method 7. Fix Unidentified Network Issue by Adding IP Address Manually

You can also try to manually add IP address in the Ethernet or Wireless Network Connection Properties:

Step 1. Launch the Open Network and Sharing Center.

Step 2. Right click the icon Ethernet or Wireless Network Connection with unidentified network.

Step 3. Select Properties.

Step 4. Highlight the item Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

Step 5. Click the button Properties.

Step 6. Choose Use the following DNS server address.

Step 7. Manually add IP address 8.8.8.8 to the Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 to the Alternate DNS server.

Step 8. Use Windows shortcut keys Win + X.

Step 9. Select Command Prompt (Admin).

Step 10. Type ipconfig /release in the command window.

Step 11. Hit Enter to release the IP.

Step 12. Type in ipconfig /renew to obtain a new one.

Method 8. Temporarily disable security software

Sometimes, antivirus or firewall software may interfere with network connections or cause other problems. Understandably, antivirus software is very important to the system, but to find out where the problem lies, you can disable it to check whether there are network connection problems that can be solved.

Step 1. Right-click its system tray icon to see if there is an option to disable it.

Step 2. After disabling, check if you can connect.

Note: If you use the Windows firewall, you may need to reset the Windows firewall to the default value and check it. If you are using VPN software, please disable it and try.

Method 9. Disable virtual network adapter

Open the Device Manager again and expand the “Network Adapters” section. If there are virtual adapters, right-click and disable them.

After all the steps, reboot the computer and try connecting the network again to see if the Windows 10 unidentified network issue has been resolved.

If you have any questions on the subject Windows 10 unidentified network, do not hesitate to write to us in the comment section below or click the LEFT MENU on this page for more information. Any Windows 10 Fall Creators Update version 1709 / Windows 10 April 2018 Update version 1803 / Windows 10 October 2018 Update version 1809 / Windows 10 May 2019 Update version 1903 / Creators Update / Anniversary Update-related questions, please see our Windows 10 Issues and Fix section.

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