It’s not uncommon for a Windows user to encounter a strange situation: web pages load fine in Chrome or Edge, yet a specific application like a game client, email program, or file synchronization tool fails to connect to the internet. Messages like “Can’t connect to server,” “Check your internet connection,” or simply endless loading loops appear, despite the internet clearly working. This problem can be frustrating and confusing, especially when everything else seems normal.
This issue usually indicates that the computer’s general internet connectivity is fine, but certain ports, protocols, or background services required by specific apps are being blocked or misconfigured. Common culprits include third-party antivirus firewalls, outdated DNS settings, proxy configurations, or missing Windows services.
To start troubleshooting, identify whether the app ever worked properly on your system. If the problem appeared after a recent Windows update, security software install, or VPN setup, these changes might have altered your network behavior.
Begin by disabling third-party antivirus or firewall software temporarily. Suites like Avast, Norton, McAfee, and Kaspersky often include their own network filters, which can block app traffic even when Windows Firewall allows it. If the app connects after disabling the security software, open the program’s settings and add the problematic app to the trusted or allowed list.
Next, check Windows Firewall. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall. Look for your app in the list and ensure both “Private” and “Public” boxes are checked. If the app is not listed, click “Allow another app” and add it manually.
DNS misconfiguration can also lead to application-specific failures, especially for apps that rely on certain domain resolution or content delivery networks (CDNs). To reset DNS, open Command Prompt (as Administrator) and run: