Internet works in one browser but not another on Windows 11?

By Saadat Rafiq · 2 min read · 6 steps · Published 6 October 2026

Device

Windows

Shown on

Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

App

Settings

Real screenshots

4 of 6 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

Step by step

1. Rule out the browser first

   Open a private window in the failing browser (Ctrl + Shift + N in Chrome and Edge) and load a page. If it works there, an extension or cached data is the cause: skip to the browser step below.

   Done

2. 

   Open the Proxy settings

   Open Settings, Network & internet, Proxy. On a home PC, Automatically detect settings is usually on and Use setup script is off, as on our Cloud PC.

   Done

3. 

   Switch off a proxy you did not set up

   Under Manual proxy setup, Use a proxy server should say Off unless your workplace gave you one. A proxy added by unwanted software can block some browsers. Click Set up and switch it off.

   Done

4. 

   Check the DNS setting

   Open Network & internet, Ethernet or Wi-Fi, then your network. DNS server assignment shows Automatic (DHCP) on ours. Click Edit next to it.

   Done

5. 

   Set DNS back to Automatic

   In Edit DNS settings choose Automatic (DHCP) and click Save, unless you set a DNS server on purpose. Manual lets you type DNS servers, which is where a wrong one can break name lookups.

   Done

6. Check the failing browser itself

   Switch off all extensions and try again; a VPN or ad blocker extension is a common cause. Also check the browser's own secure DNS setting and clear its cache.

   Done

About this guide

When Chrome works but Edge does not, or the other way round, Windows itself is online. People on Microsoft Q&A asked about exactly this in late September 2026. The usual causes are a proxy, a DNS setting, or something inside the one browser that fails.

The screenshots are our own, taken on Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457) running as a Microsoft Cloud PC, a Windows PC that runs in the cloud. The Settings app is the same on Home and Pro PCs; where the Cloud PC shows something different, the step says so.

Good to know

Security software can block one browser. If you run another antivirus besides Windows Security, check its web protection or firewall list for that browser.

Nothing works in any browser? Start with Ethernet not working on Windows 11: 6 fixes to try.

In short: Private window first. Then Settings, Network & internet, Proxy: no unknown proxy. DNS server assignment: Automatic (DHCP). Then the browser's extensions, secure DNS and cache.