How Can You Quickly Solve the “Your Connection Was Interrupted” Error on Windows 11 for Stable Browsing?

What Are the Most Effective Steps to Fix Windows 11’s Disruptive Network Change Error for Smooth Internet?

When Windows 11 shows the message “Your connection was interrupted. A network change was detected,” it means the system is having trouble keeping your internet connection steady. This often leads to web pages failing to load in browsers like Chrome, Edge, or Opera. The error can happen for different reasons, such as changes in how your computer connects to the network, problems with the internet address (DNS), confusing proxy or VPN settings, or a security program blocking the network.

Simple Solutions to Get Your Connection Working Again

Solution 1: Reset Network Settings

1. Click the Start menu, open Settings.
2. Go to Network & Internet, scroll to Advanced network settings.
3. Find and select Network reset. Click Reset now. Your computer will restart.
4. After the restart, reconnect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet and see if the internet works.

Solution 2: Flush DNS Cache and Reset TCP/IP Stack

1. Right-click the Start button. Open Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type these commands, pressing Enter after each one:

   netsh winsock reset
   netsh int ip reset
   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew
   ipconfig /flushdns

3. Restart your computer. Test your internet connection again.

Solution 3: Disable Unused Network Adapters

1. Open the Control Panel. Go to Network and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click Change adapter settings.
3. If you see both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, but only use one, right-click the one you don’t use and select Disable.
4. If you think your network card is broken, try switching to a USB adapter.

Solution 4: Change DNS Settings

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings.
2. Click your network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), find More adapter options, then click Edit.
3. In the Properties dialog, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Click Properties.
4. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses. Enter:
   • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
5. Click OK. Restart your browser.

Solution 5: Check Proxy and VPN Settings

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
2. Turn off Use a proxy server and Automatically detect settings if they are enabled.
3. If using a VPN, try disabling it for now to see if the error goes away.
4. Some browsers, like Edge or Opera, have their own proxy or VPN settings under Privacy & Security. Make sure these are turned off.

Solution 6: Temporarily Turn Off Firewall and Antivirus

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & Network protection.
2. Turn off Microsoft Defender Firewall for all active profiles.
3. If you use another antivirus, right-click its icon in the bottom-right (system tray) and disable it temporarily.
4. Try browsing again. If it works, re-enable your security and adjust its settings to allow browser traffic.

Solution 7: Clear Browser Cache and Data

1. Open your browser. Go to the settings menu.
2. Find Privacy and Security, select Clear browsing data.
3. Check boxes for Browsing history, Cookies, and Cached images/files. Click Delete data.
4. Restart your browser and check if the error returns.

Solution 8: Update or Reinstall Network Drivers

1. Right-click the Start button. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters. Right-click your main adapter, select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
3. If updating doesn’t help, uninstall the driver and restart your PC. Windows should reinstall it.
4. If the problem remains, visit your device maker’s website to get the newest driver.

Solution 9: Restore Windows to an Earlier State

1. Search for System Restore in the Start menu, open Create a restore point.
2. Click System Restore, pick a date before you had the issue. Follow the steps, then restart the computer.

Key Points for Success

• Do each step one at a time. Try browsing after each main fix—sometimes the first or second step works for many users.
• These steps target common causes—network reset, fixing DNS, adjusting adapters, checking security, clearing browser problems, and updating drivers.
• Adapting DNS settings is simple and often boosts connection reliability.
• Turning off and then adjusting security programs can let your browser reconnect, but always remember to turn them back on.
• Clearing browser data helps if only certain websites stall.

If the error keeps coming back, it may mean your internet provider or home router is causing issues, so it’s worth reaching out to them after these steps. Following these steps increases the chance you’ll have a stable, reliable connection with fewer interruptions on Windows 11.