Internet connection drops frequently, requires hard reset to fix

Hi, as stated in the title I'm having awful trouble maintaining a stable internet connection.

It freezes regularly, the windows network diagnostic (which only runs when *not* frozen, otherwise just sits on a looping progress bar when network issue occurs) says "Windows could not automatically detect this network's proxy settings".

I switched from Chrome to Firefox, thinking that might be the problem but the issue persists. I don't believe I'm doing anything particularly network-intensive so I'm at a loss. I don't *think* it's the router as other wireless devices work fine.

I'm connected through LAN via tplink homeplugs to an EE Brightbox 2 router, using a Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller, if any of that helps.

I'd read that it may be something to do with router MTU settings or automatically assigning a DNS to the PC, but I'm unsure how to change these settings. I'll paste any relevant settings if anyone can advise me what commands to run! *Edit* Also running AVG antivirus 2015, which I understand can cause problems.

As documented in this answers thread on the Microsoft site, there's a 1-2-3 maneuver to deal with proxy problems. First, check that proxy settings are correct. If not fix, if so, then check the referenced MS articles in step 2 of the answers post. Finally, if all else fails, reset TCP/IP settings, reboot and see what happens. In my own experience and in that reported by others, the third option is often the most helpful one, so work your way through the entire sequence, please.
HTH,

Hi, thanks for the reply. I've gone through the sequence, I'm not sure there's been any change: still getting the "Windows could not automatically detect this network's proxy settings" message after the troubleshooter has run.

Possibly I misunderstood this sequence

• Type netsh winsock resetand press Enter.
• Type netsh int ip resetand press Enter.
• Type ipconfig /releaseand press Enter.
• Type ipconfig /renewand press Enter.
• Type ipconfig /flushdnsand press Enter.

...do I perform a restart after each command prompt or run through the whole list and then restart (which is what I did)

If the problem occurs again I'll re-run it all and see if the lanreport shows anything weird.

The frozen internet connection has just occurred again, directly after browsing YouTube. I've pinged the default gateway as suggested and it's come back fine. Does this suggest a problem with the router?

The frozen internet connection has just occurred again, directly after browsing YouTube. I've pinged the default gateway as suggested and it's come back fine. Does this suggest a problem with the router?

I don't think the router is at fault as you have mentioned that other devices working fine, I'm sure that you have the latest driver for your adapter, go to Device Manager, right click the adapter then select Properties, click Power Management tab, untick "Turn off this device to save power..." box.
You can also switch to Open DNS or google DNS, open Network & Sharing Centre, click your network, click Properties in WiFi status window(bottom left), highlight "Internet Protocol version IPV4..." and click Properties, change the DNS server as in my snip.
I'm using Opendns, if you want google dns, it's 8.8.8.8 Primary address and 8.8.4.4 Secondary.
I would suggest you to leave MTU settings alone for the time being.

Thanks for that, I've made the changes you suggest. Unfortunately I still get the issue after a while (with an ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT
message from chrome.) Maybe I need to just stay well away from Youtube?

I run an AVG Tuneup program that amongst other things manages power settings, I'll turn that off and see if it helps.

I run an AVG Tuneup program that amongst other things manages power settings,

Maybe you need to just stay well away from AVG Tuneup? It is highly unreliable software.
Not to mention AVG itself with too many modules, which can interfere with network.

Latest Realtek driver: Realtek

To reset Network, download WN.bat and run as admin, restart. After restart, apply those:

netsh int ipv6 isatap set state disabled
netsh int teredo set state disabled
netsh interface ipv6 6to4 set state state=disabled undoonstop=disabled
reg add "HKLMSystemCurrentControlSetServicesTcpip6Parameters" /v "DisabledComponents" /t REG_DWORD /d "255" /f
reg add "HKLMSystemCurrentControlSetServicesNetBTParameters" /v "EnableLMHOSTS" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
wmic nicconfig where TcpipNetbiosOptions=0 call SetTcpipNetbios 2
wmic nicconfig where TcpipNetbiosOptions=1 call SetTcpipNetbios 2
wmic nicconfig where DHCPEnabled=TRUE call SetDNSServerSearchOrder ("8.8.4.4","8.8.8.8")

• WN.bat (3.1 KB, 2 views)

Yes, I'm getting the idea that AVG isn't the greatest. I'll try your suggestion, then get new antivirus software!

Thanks folks, it's incredibly frustrating problem for the non-IT minded.