Member Avatar for kysl88

Hi,

I originally asked for help on a spyware forum thinking that the cause of my problem was of that nature, but it turned out that my computer is clean.

Basically, I can connect to the internet but none of my browsers (IE, Firefox, chrome) will display/load anything. I can still log onto Windows live messenger and my antivirus can still update itself.

I have tried turning off my firewall and antivirus, using the winsock fix, resetting my browsers' settings, but none of that worked.

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This looks like a classic case where ordinary connectivity (IM, AV updates) works but HTTP/HTTPS from browsers is being intercepted or redirected at the OS/network level. Helpful suggestions so far: suggested reinstalling browsers, pointed to name resolution, and flagged proxy settings. Reinstalling browsers rarely fixes system-wide proxy/autoconfig or host-level interception, so focus the next checks on proxy/auto-config, hosts entries, and local web-filtering.

Quick, ordered checks that usually find the culprit:

  • Confirm scope: verify a second device on the same network can browse. If others work, the problem is local to the PC; if not, check the router/provider.

  • Look for automatic proxy/WPAD and system proxy (these commonly hang only browsers). In LAN settings disable automatic configuration and any proxy, then inspect the Windows system proxy with:

    netsh winhttp show proxy

    (run from an elevated prompt).

  • Check the hosts file at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts for unexpected mappings that redirect web domains to localhost.

  • Find local proxy/web-filtering components (some AVs install a local proxy which, if broken, blocks browsers). List listening ports and processes:

    netstat -ano | findstr LISTENING

    Then match PIDs in Task Manager.

If those steps don’t isolate it, boot into Safe Mode with Networking or create a new Windows user: if browsers work there, a third‑party driver/service or per‑user setting is to blame. For deeper diagnosis, capture traffic with Fiddler or Wireshark to see whether HTTP requests leave the PC, whether a PAC/WPAD lookup occurs, or whether servers reply with proxy/auth errors.

The most useful evidence for root-cause analysis is: whether ping by IP works, ipconfig /all, the netsh winhttp show proxy output, the hosts file contents, and the browser status text (e.g., “Resolving”, “Connecting”, “Waiting for response”). These point clearly to DNS, proxy/auto-config, or TCP-level blocking rather than corrupt browser binaries.

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Member Avatar for kysl88

Nobody has an idea???

Member Avatar for Master Rattley

hmm.. thats new... I can only think to suggest uninstalling than reinstalling, i doubt it has anything to do with your firewall because that should never completely stop a browser, if this doesn't work, download patches for the browsers.. Although if you cant use a browser, how can you browse the web :S ??

Member Avatar for kysl88

Another computer. obviously ;)

Member Avatar for Master Rattley

yes, than get the installations for your preferred web browser and reinstall that.. although i highly doubt there could be a corruption in the install for three different Browsers. i could also suggest going to your local hardware store and purchasing a hammer? :P

Member Avatar for kysl88

I suspect some problem with my network settings, but that is far beyond my understanding

Edited by kysl88 because: n/a
Member Avatar for Master Rattley

well when a browser is loading it should show an note down the bottom - connecting to etc. it definatly could be an IP adress problem or Port problem. Change this in, tools up the top of the browser and in internet options.

Member Avatar for Ammohunt

So name resolution works? nslookup microsoft.com (for instance)

Member Avatar for cash1846

Look through advanced settings to see if your browsers are configured to use proxy or not. It should also say looking or searching for proxy while trying to connect if this is the issue.

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