You're likely experiencing a DNS resolution issue if you can access YouTube but no other sites. Start by flushing your DNS cache to remove outdated entries, ensuring your computer fetches the latest IP addresses.
Check your network settings, especially the DNS configurations, and consider switching to a public DNS like Google DNS or Cloudflare for improved reliability. Additionally, temporarily disable your antivirus to rule out any conflicts that might be restricting access to websites.
By adjusting your router settings and possibly enabling bridge mode, you can resolve potential connectivity barriers. Further exploring these adjustments will provide broader internet access solutions.
Identifying DNS Resolution Issues
If you're experiencing issues where YouTube connects but other sites don't, it's likely a DNS resolution problem. This typically stems from your device resolving YouTube's IP address correctly while failing to do so for other sites.
To address this, you'll need to explore the DNS server settings. Start by opening the Command Prompt on your computer. Here, you can run specific commands to flush your DNS cache, which might contain outdated or incorrect entries affecting connectivity.
Flushing the DNS removes these entries, prompting your computer to fetch the latest IP addresses upon your next website visit. This step is important in ensuring that your DNS server is translating web addresses effectively and can resolve connectivity discrepancies.
Checking Network Configuration
You'll need to review the network configuration settings on your Windows 10 Pro laptop, double-checking the DNS settings to rule out any contribution to website access issues. Open the CMD prompt to quickly check these configurations. Type `ipconfig /all` to view all network adapter settings, focusing on your Ethernet connection.
Verify that the DNS servers listed are the ones recommended by your ISP or consider a switch to public DNS servers like Google's 8.8.8.8 for a test.
Also, inspect the Ethernet adapter settings in Control Panel. Make sure no proxy settings are inadvertently set, and check for any unusual static IP configurations or subnet masks that could be limiting your access to sites other than YouTube.
Resolving Antivirus Conflicts
After checking your network configurations, consider that antivirus software might also be impacting your web access. If YouTube is the only site you can access, it's possible your antivirus is selectively blocking other websites. To test this, temporarily disable your antivirus and see if your internet connection improves.
If it does, explore the antivirus settings. Look for any feature that blocks or filters websites and adjust accordingly. You might also encounter issues with DNS resolution caused by your antivirus; switching to different DNS servers could bypass these conflicts.
Adjusting Router Settings
To adjust your router settings, start by entering its IP address, such as 192.168.1.1, into your web browser's address bar and logging in with the credentials provided.
Once inside, navigate through the interface until the menu appears. Look for the DNS settings option within the router's configuration page. It's important to verify and possibly update these addresses to make sure they aren't causing connectivity issues to sites other than Google and YouTube.
If you encounter double NAT issues, consider enabling bridge mode to alleviate these problems. Always remember to save and apply any changes you make. This step is necessary for the adjustments to take effect and improve your internet access across different websites.
Exploring Public DNS Options
Exploring public DNS options, like Google DNS, Cloudflare, and Quad9, can significantly enhance your internet connectivity and security. When you're facing issues connecting to websites other than YouTube, switching your DNS servers could be a key solution. Public DNS services not only offer faster DNS resolution but also improve reliability over your ISP's default servers.
By configuring your device to utilize these alternative DNS servers, you'll likely see a boost in your overall internet performance. This is essential when your WiFi network seems sluggish or unstable. Additionally, these services provide added security features, including privacy protections and anti-phishing measures, which safeguard your browsing activity.
You'll need to manually set this up in your device's network settings to start seeing improvements.