16 Ways to Fix No Internet in Windows 11 Safe Mode With Networking

Nothing feels more terrible than being stuck in Windows 11 Safe Mode with Networking but can’t get an internet connection. Especially when you are putting your entire might into detecting and flushing out a persistent issue. However vexing it might sound, there are some viable tips that work in fixing the “No Internet in Safe Mode” on Windows 11. If your PC has, unfortunately, run into this very issue, it would be apt to take it on – sooner rather than later. Read on…

Fix No Internet in Windows 11 Safe Mode With Networking

What makes the internet connection go haywire and start ill-functioning in the Safe Mode? Based on my personal experience, these are the nefarious elements that cause this issue to crop up –

• Incorrect network drivers
• Disabled network adapter
• Outdated network settings
• Faulty Ethernet cable
• Router misconfiguration
• DNS server issues
• IP address conflict
• Corrupted network stack
• Firewall restrictions
• Safe Mode limitations

Keeping these culprits in mind, I’m going to break down the 16 reliable solutions to resolve the issue and bring this pivotal mode back on track.

1. Check Physical Connections

First and foremost, make sure that your Ethernet cable is properly connected if you’re using a wired connection. Additionally, I would also recommend you verify that the router is powered on and working without any roadblocks at all.

• Simply, unplug and reconnect the cable to rule out loose connections.
• Then, try using a different Ethernet port on the router or a different cable.

2. Restart Networking Devices

It’s worth mentioning that sometimes the “no internet in the Safe Mode” problem lies with the router or modem. Many a time, you can resolve this issue by rebooting your network devices.

• To get it done, turn off the router and modem.
• Now, be sure to wait for about 30 seconds before turning them back on.
• Allow the devices to fully restart before testing the connection again.

3. Enable Network Adapter in Safe Mode

Do you know that Safe Mode tends to disable certain drivers by default, including network adapters? Thus, check the network adapter and activate it.

• To get it done, head over to Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting it from the list. Or, press Win+X and choose Device Manager in the list.
• Expand Network adapters > Right-click your network device, and choose Enable.

4. Update Network Drivers

Keep in mind that outdated or corrupted drivers can cause connectivity issues in Safe Mode. Therefore, make sure to update your network drivers.

• In Device Manager, right-click your network adapter and select Update driver.

• Choose Search automatically for drivers to let Windows find the latest version.

5. Reinstall Network Drivers

If updating doesn’t restore the network in the Safe Mode, reinstall the drivers.

• Navigate to Device Manager > right-click your network adapter > choose Uninstall device.
• Restart your PC, and Windows should automatically reinstall the driver.

6. Reset Network Settings

Should the internet connection continue to malfunction, there is a decent chance that configuration conflicts could be playing the spoilsport. But bother not! Resetting network settings will let you resolve configuration conflicts.

• On your PC, head over to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings.
• Now, select Network reset and follow the prompts to reset the network.

7. Check Proxy Settings

Wrongly configured proxy settings can block internet access.

• Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
• Now, disable any manually set proxies or enable Automatically detect settings.

8. Disable VPN

Believe me, there are very few features that are as greedy as a VPN. So, if you recently activated a VPN service on your PC, look nowhere else but at this rather jealous feature that has a long history of invoking network-related issues – not only on Windows but also on any software-driven device. Therefore, get rid of it by going to the Settings app > Network & internet > VPN.

9. Check Network Adapter Power Settings

Watch out for the power-saving settings as they often find a way to disable network adapters in Safe Mode.

• In Device Manager, right-click your network adapter and choose Properties.
• Go to the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

10. Perform a Clean Boot

If the internet connection remains dysfunctional in Safe Mode, it wouldn’t be wrong to put the entire blame on the conflicting startup programs.

• Press Win + R to launch the Run dialog > type msconfig, and press Enter.
• Navigate to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all.

• After that, go to the Startup tab > click Open Task Manager > Disable all startup items > Then, restart your PC in Safe Mode with Networking and check the connection.

11. Disable Firewall and Antivirus Temporarily

Be warned that the security software is no less responsible for blocking internet access. Hence, get rid of your over-conscious security shield.

• Open the Settings app > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Firewall & Network Protection.
• Now, turn off the firewall temporarily and check the connection. Re-enable it afterward for security.

12. Run Network Troubleshooter

Windows is bestowed with a built-in troubleshooter to diagnose and fix network connectivity issues.

• Fire up the Settings app > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

• Select Internet Connections and follow the on-screen instructions.

13. Flush DNS Cache

A corrupt DNS cache might be coming in the way of the network connectivity and badly hurting its functionality.

• Launch the Command Prompt as Administrator on your device.
• Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter > After that, reboot the device.

14. Renew IP Address

More often than not, resetting the IP address works wonders in restoring the internet connection.

• In Command Prompt, type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
• Then, type ipconfig /renew > press Enter and then restart your PC.

15. Check Network Services

I’m afraid the Networking services on your Windows device might not be running in Safe Mode.

• Press Win + R to bring up the familiar Run dialog > type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Make sure that the following services are running:
  • DNS Client
  • DHCP Client
  • Network Connections
  • Network List Service
  • Network Location Awareness
• Right-click each service, select Properties, and set the Startup type to Automatic.

16. Manually Set DNS Server

No luck as yet? I suspect your DNS server is unresponsive. In this case, switching to a public DNS like Google’s can help overcome the hurdle.

• On your Windows device, dive into Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings.
• Click More network adapter options, right-click your connection, and select Properties.
• Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
• Use the following DNS server addresses:
  • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
  • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4

Signing off…

There you have it! These viable tips and tricks should help nab and fix the issue of no internet connectivity in Windows 11 Safe Mode with Networking on your PC. Now, make sure to share your thoughts and the solutions that have brought this important feature back to life.