Windows 11 internet connection problem. nslookup working while ping and browsers cannot resolve names.

Morgan 0 Reputation points
2026-08-11T22:47:03.7933333+00:00

Windows 11.

Issue started after Spybot Search and Destroy failed to complete a scan. Has since been uninstalled.

Ethernet and Wi-Fi both connect normally.

ping 1.1.1.1 works with 0% packet loss.

nslookup www.google.com 192.168.1.1 successfully returns Google IP addresses.

But ping www.google.com, curl https://www.google.com, Resolve-DnsName www.google.com, and every browser fail to resolve hostnames.

netsh winhttp show proxy says direct access/no proxy.

DNS is automatic via 192.168.1.1.

winsock reset, netsh int ip reset, Network Reset, changing DNS to 1.1.1.1, disabling Windows Firewall, testing a second Windows account made no difference.

Microsoft Defender Offline found no threats.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Internet and connectivity
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  1. Emma1-N 10,755 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-08-12T03:38:46.9333333+00:00

    Welcome Morgan,

    Thank you for the detailed information. Since direct IP connections work and nslookup returns valid results, the issue appears to be related to Windows' local DNS resolution process rather than your internet connection or DNS server itself. 

    Please try these steps, which do not repeat the resets you have already completed: 

    Option 1: Reset the Hosts file 

    • Open C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc. 
    • Rename hosts to hosts.old. 
    • Restart Windows and test ping again. 

    Option 2: Test in a clean-boot environment 

    • Press Windows key + R, enter msconfig, and select OK
    • Under Services, select Hide all Microsoft services, then select Disable all 
    • Under Startup, open Task Manager and disable the enabled startup items. 
    • Restart and test name resolution. 

    Option 3: Repair Windows components 

    • Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the following commands in order: 
      • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth 
      • sfc /scannow 

    Option 4: Reinstall both network adapters 

    • Before continuing, download the latest Ethernet and Wi-Fi drivers from the PC manufacturer on another device and save them to USB. 
    • Open “Device Manager” and expand “Network adapters”. 
    • Uninstall the Ethernet and Wi-Fi adapters, selecting “Attempt to remove the driver for this device” if displayed. 
    • Restart Windows, then install the manufacturer’s drivers if Windows does not reinstall them automatically. Fix Ethernet connection problems in Windows | Microsoft Support 

    I hope this helps. Please let me know the results of the above tests, and I will do my best to assist further. 

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes". If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".   

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