Windows 7, Network and Sharing center shows no network, but computer is connected and browsing

Question

Windows 7 Home Premium 32Bit

The Network and Sharing center shows no network connection. Ethernet cable is plugged in, web browsing functions perfectly.

I'm attempting an Anytime Upgrade but it does not attempt to connect if the Network and Sharing center thinks it is not connected.

Only the Network and Sharing center shows something wrong. All network tests pass with flying colors.

IPv6 is disabled.

Have tested each adapter while the other(s) were disabled and show no change.

No warning of Limited Network Access.

IPCONFIG with Wireless adapter disabled:

C:\Users\admin>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

   Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : ITA00000589
   Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
   Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
   IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
   WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
   DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : CM.local

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : CM.local
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 64-31-50-10-01-33
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.238(Preferred)
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
   Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, December 14, 2011 10:31:42 AM
   Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Friday, December 16, 2011 11:55:20 AM
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.250
   DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.5
   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.5
   NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter isatap.CM.local:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : CM.local
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 12:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft 6to4 Adapter
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Answer 1

I've seen this a few times, more usually on Vista; and it's annoying.

The easiest thing I've found that 'fixed it' in many cases (not all) was to merge and erase all the various network entries/profiles (wired and/or wireless), until there were none.

I'm NOT talking about the networking devices/drivers themselves. Just the various "Home", "Work", and "Public" network entries representing your networks.

Reboot, let it rediscover and reconnect to the network(s) (it should ask you which 'type' again).

Hopefully it will be less confused after that. :)

To do this:

1. Open "Control Panel"

2. Select and open "Network and Sharing Center"

3. Click the "Icon" (like the House icon) under "View your active networks". This will open the "Set Network Properties" dialog. Here you can rename a network connection or change the icon for that network connection.

4. Click "Merge or Delete Network Locations" to see a list of stored network connections. You can merge or delete connections here as well as see if a network connection is in use and managed or unmanaged.

Answer 2

Check your network-card drivers. I've run into this with older-network cards/drivers several times. More than likely, you need to go to the manufacturer's website to get the correct driver. Many network adapters will "work" ... but because they don't have the proper bits to tell windows 7/vista that it's indeed an ethernet adapter... they aren't treated like normal ethernet network adapters... and are treated more like a generic network interface that could be virtual or some form of tunneling adapter.

Answer 3

Does it say no network or no internet?

If it says no network, the other suggested solutions should be tried.

If it says no internet (or limited connectivity) this may simply mean the computer cannot download the text file from Microsoft that it uses to test for internet access. This may occur on company or managed networks and usually simply means that url is blocked.

See "How Does It Work" in the following SU Blog: http://blog.superuser.com/2011/05/16/windows-7-network-awareness/

Answer 4

Scan for viruses and malware. Also check that the Network and Sharing Center service in SERVICES.MSC is set to Automatic Startup, and is running

EDIT: I just checked my Win7 machine, and found these are the Network services. Is this what yours look like?

Answer 5

Please import the registry from working system HKLM\system\services\netprofm and overwrite to the faulty system. This problem resolved for me