Some programs say no Internet connection when there is.

Rekees

New Member
Messages
5
Under Windows 8 there are some programs that are dysfunctional because they can not access the Internet. When they try, they display various error messages indicating there is no Internet connection. I know for a fact that there is a working Internet connection because things like Firefox, Internet Explorer, Windows Update, etc. connect normally.

This problem has been ongoing for several weeks and I have spent many hours searching for a solution. I have disabled Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, and Avast. Run Network Troubleshooter (found no problems). Running the programs in safe mode made no difference. I have used MSCONFIG/Task Manager to disable all processes (exception Windows). None of these actions have yielded a solution or even a hint as to what might be causing the problem. Anyone else experienced this problem or have any suggestions on what to try next?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Hey,

You mentioned ''some programs'' in your thread, can you be specific on what programs your experiencing this issue with, seeing as it doesn't effect your browser and certain other things you mentioned.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate / Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 730x
    CPU
    i7
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    2x 1GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3x 22" HD Widescreens
    Hard Drives
    1TB & 500GB
    PSU
    1000 Watts
    Case
    Aluminum w/ Clear Panel
    Keyboard
    Logitech diNovo
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Revolution
    Internet Speed
    28Mbps
Indeed - is the problem limited to just modern applications from the start screen? Or do any desktop apps have this issue? They use different paths in the system to get to the internet, so it helps to know the actual apps that have issues, including those that do not.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4790K @ 4.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus Hero VII
    Memory
    32GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX970
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 250GB SSD
    4x WD RE 2TB (RAIDZ)
    PSU
    Corsair AX760i
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
I don't use the start screen or any Windows 8 "apps" so don't know if they work or not. The problem only involves desktop programs (far as I know).

Specifically, these programs say they can not connect:
1. Macrium Reflect can't download the Microsoft WADK Windows PE environment so a bootable Rescue Media CD can't be created. I've contacted the Macrium Reflect support folks and they say it is a Microsoft problem.
2. A chess program called Houdini 3 can't check for updates. Again their support folks say it's not their problem.
3. Adobe Reader can't download updates.
4. Adobe Flash Player can't download updates.
5. Windows Help can't retrieve info from Microsoft.

As is apparent, there is a variety of programs that have no logical relationship except for the fact they are running under Windows 8 on the same PC. It is also important to note that this problem is intermittent. Most of the time (like 99%) these programs do not work but for whatever reason occasionally they do. This is truly BIZARRE!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Maybe this will help.

How to Stop Avast From Blocking Websites | eHow.com


Or this setting should be checked.
Under IE, Tools, Internet Options, Connections, LAN Settings, Use a proxy server should be un-ticked.

For whatever reason the programs that have been unable to connect to the Internet for weeks started working last night and are still working today. I have no idea why they started working again or for how long they will continue to work. The problem is intermittent which is going to make it difficult to resolve.

Nevertheless, I don't think the problem is with Avast because (as I said in my original post) the problem occurs even when Avast is turned off and/or disabled. I took a look at your link and it says "Click the Additional Protection tab on the left side of the window, then click Site Blocking under it. The right side of the window displays a list of each website that Avast! is blocking." I followed those instructions and determined there are no programs listed in Avast's "Site Blocking".

I also looked at IE and the proxy server thingy is already un-ticked.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Maybe this will help.

How to Stop Avast From Blocking Websites | eHow.com


Or this setting should be checked.
Under IE, Tools, Internet Options, Connections, LAN Settings, Use a proxy server should be un-ticked.

For whatever reason the programs that have been unable to connect to the Internet for weeks started working last night and are still working today. I have no idea why they started working again or for how long they will continue to work. The problem is intermittent which is going to make it difficult to resolve.

Nevertheless, I don't think the problem is with Avast because (as I said in my original post) the problem occurs even when Avast is turned off and/or disabled. I took a look at your link and it says "Click the Additional Protection tab on the left side of the window, then click Site Blocking under it. The right side of the window displays a list of each website that Avast! is blocking." I followed those instructions and determined there are no programs listed in Avast's "Site Blocking".

I also looked at IE and the proxy server thingy is already un-ticked.

It's always nice when something fixed itself. :)

Maybe your preferred DNS servers were having temporary problems with certain sites.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
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