Use the Windows Network Diagnostics tool if you are unable to connect to the internet. However, if troubleshooting is successful but you still see an error message stating that Windows cannot communicate with the device or resource, then you should consult a professional (primary DNS server).
If you’re stuck because you don’t know how to resolve the Windows Can’t Communicate With the Device or Resource error, try one of the fixes listed below. DNS (Domain Name Server) and network driver difficulties are most likely to blame for this network issue.
Contents
- 1 Understanding the “Windows Can’t Communicate With The Device Or Resource” Error
- 2 Common Causes of the Error
- 3 How to Resolve the Windows Error: Cannot Communicate with the Device or Resource
- 4 10 FAQs related to the “Windows Can’t Communicate With The Device Or Resource” error:
- 5 Conclusion
Understanding the “Windows Can’t Communicate With The Device Or Resource” Error
The “Windows Can’t Communicate With The Device Or Resource” error message typically appears when a computer attempts to access a network resource, such as a website, printer, or network drive, but fails to establish a connection.
This error can manifest in various scenarios, including browsing the internet, accessing shared files or printers on a local network, or connecting to networked devices.
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Common Causes of the Error
Several factors can contribute to the “Windows Can’t Communicate With The Device Or Resource” error:
- DNS Resolution Issues: Problems with DNS resolution, such as incorrect DNS server settings, DNS cache corruption, or DNS server unavailability, can prevent your computer from translating domain names into IP addresses, leading to communication failures.
- Network Configuration Problems: Incorrect network configuration settings, such as misconfigured IP addresses, subnet masks, gateway addresses, or network adapter settings, can disrupt communication with network devices or resources.
- Firewall or Antivirus Restrictions: Firewall or antivirus software settings that block outgoing or incoming network traffic may restrict communication with specific devices or resources, triggering the error.
- Router or Modem Issues: Malfunctioning or misconfigured routers or modems, such as outdated firmware, network congestion, or hardware failures, can impede network connectivity and lead to communication errors.
- Internet Service Provider (ISP) Issues: Problems with your internet service provider, such as network outages, DNS server issues, or connectivity problems, can affect your ability to communicate with external devices or resources.
How to Resolve the Windows Error: Cannot Communicate with the Device or Resource
There are five things you can do to try to solve it that I’ve listed above. It’s not essential that you test them all; instead, pick the one that works best for you. All of the solutions are compatible with Windows 10, 7, 8, and 8.1.
Method 1: Setting TCP/IP to factory defaults
The Windows Can’t Communicate With the Device or Resource problem message can also be caused by a corrupted Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The operating system relies on IP as a critical component to establish a secure connection to the internet.
As a result, we’re going to see if resetting your computer’s TCP/IP settings can help. It is possible to do this by downloading and executing a utility from Microsoft on the affected machine. You’ll need another internet-connected device to get the utility.
Step 1: Go to the official Microsoft website and download the software as a first step.
Step 2: Double-click on the downloaded file and restart your computer after all of the processes are completed. Make sure Windows is no longer failing to communicate because of an inability to access devices or resources after that.
Method 2: Setting IPv4 and IPv6 Addresses again
For packet-switched link-layer networks, IPv4 stands for Internet Protocol version 4, and it is a protocol that can be used. IPv4 also has a 4.3 billion-address addressing capability. When compared to the Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4), the Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is more advanced and has more functions.
It can also provide a variety of locations. We’ll try changing the settings on each of them to see if it helps. This is the most common method for tackling this issue:
Step 1: Using the Windows + R shortcut is the first step. Search for “Control Panel” in the search box, then press Enter.
Step 2: Click on “Network and Internet” in the control panel after opening it up. Now look for “Network and Sharing Center” and click on that to begin the process of configuring the network.
Step 3: Lastly, you may view the network to which you’ve been assigned a connection in this step. In front of the connections, tap on the network.
Step 4: At the bottom-left of your screen, click on Properties, and you’re done.
Step 5: After you’ve found it, click on TCP/IP Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to continue. Tick the “Obtain DNS server address automatically” and “Obtain an IP address automatically” checkboxes on your computer. At the end, simply click OK to preserve your changes.
Step 6: Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) can be used in the same way as TCP/IPv4.
Step 7: Finally, see if the problem with Windows not being able to communicate with the device or resource has been fixed..
Method 3: Command Prompt Reset of Connection Settings Using Command Prompt
It’s possible that your DNS and IP settings are incorrect or inaccurate. If this is the case, we can try resetting these settings and see if this helps:
Step 1: Using the Windows + R shortcut is the first step. Use the search bar to look for “Command Prompt.”
Step 2: Right-click on the first search result and select “Run as administrator.” ”
Step 3: Run the following commands from the command prompt.
/flushdns ipconfig
the command ipconfig/registerdns -l
Releasing the IP address.
/renew ipconfig
Step 4: Finally, reboot your computer and exit the command prompt by typing exit and then entering exit.
The Windows Can’t Connect to a Device or Resource issue should also be checked.
Method 4: Restarting the modem and router
The internet router may be saved at the erroneous configuration. Or any other setting that might be causing it to malfunction. If that doesn’t work, you can try a manual reset of the router (a “hard reset”) to see if that makes a difference.
Step 1: For starters, have a look at the ports on the router by picking it up and turning it backwards.
Step 2: A “reset” button should be found next. If you don’t discover any button, then use a small pin to press inwards towards the hole, which is termed “reset.”
Step 3: Connect your PC to the Wi-Fi network after resetting the router. Once Steam is up and running, check to see if the issue has been repaired.
Method 5: Install the most recent network driver.
An unreliable network driver may be at blame. You can update your network driver to fix this issue. So, updating the driver can be done in two ways: manually or automatically.
Drivers can be updated manually:
To begin, visit the website of the company that made your network card and look for the most current version of the relevant driver. The drivers you install must be compatible with the version of Windows you’re using.
Installing the most recent version of drivers automatically
In the event that you are unable to manually upgrade your network card, one alternative is to use a driver upgrading tool.
When you use these programmes, your computer will automatically detect the network card and Windows drivers that are required for proper operation, and they will download and install them correctly. For an automatic driver update, follow these steps:
Step 1: Download and install the Automatic Driver Update Software first.
Step 2: Run driver easy and then click on the scan now button in the next step, which is step two. Driver Easy is now scanning your computer for driver issues.
Afterwards, press the Update Button, and the driver will be installed.
Step 3: You may also update everything at once by clicking on the update all button. Doing so will automatically download and install the right version of all missing drivers.
Step 4: Check if Windows can communicate with the device or resource once the driver has been updated.
- What does the error message “Windows Can’t Communicate With The Device Or Resource” mean?
- This error message indicates that your computer is unable to establish a connection with a specified device or resource, such as a website or network server.
- What are the common causes of this error?
- Common causes include DNS resolution issues, network configuration problems, firewall or antivirus restrictions, router or modem issues, and problems with the internet service provider.
- How can I fix the “Windows Can’t Communicate With The Device Or Resource” error?
- Solutions include checking network connection, restarting router or modem, flushing DNS cache, changing DNS server settings, disabling firewall or antivirus temporarily, updating network drivers, resetting network settings, and performing a system restore.
- How do I check my network connection?
- Ensure that your computer is properly connected to the network, and there are no physical or cable-related issues affecting connectivity.
- What is DNS resolution, and how does it relate to this error?
- DNS resolution is the process of translating domain names into IP addresses. Problems with DNS resolution, such as incorrect DNS server settings or DNS cache corruption, can lead to this error.
- How do I flush the DNS cache?
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command “ipconfig /flushdns” to flush the DNS resolver cache and clear any cached DNS records.
- Should I change my DNS server settings?
- Consider switching to a different DNS server, such as Google DNS or OpenDNS, to improve DNS resolution and bypass potential DNS server-related problems.
- Can firewall or antivirus software cause this error?
- Yes, firewall or antivirus software settings that block outgoing or incoming network traffic may restrict communication with specific devices or resources, triggering the error.
- Why is restarting the router or modem suggested as a solution?
- Power cycling the router or modem can reset the network connection and resolve issues such as network congestion, outdated firmware, or hardware failures.
- When should I consider performing a system restore?
- If the error occurred after making system changes or installing new software, performing a system restore to revert your computer to a previous state before the error occurred may be beneficial.
These FAQs cover the most common questions related to the “Windows Can’t Communicate With The Device Or Resource” error and provide guidance on troubleshooting and resolving the issue effectively.
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Conclusion
In this case, the default name of your WiFi network will be used because the router will have no SSID (password). Your internet service provider’s settings will be wiped clean.
If you are unfamiliar with these settings, do not use this approach. All of the gadgets that were linked will be disconnected as well. I hope you find this guide helpful.
