Strange problem with my internet connection in Vista - Solved!
Category: News Trackback 17,807 viewsA small note! I’ve had no problems after I did this. And remember, if you experience any trouble after applying this solution, you can simply change it back again. Good luck, and feel free to contact me.
I’ve had problems with my connections in Vista for quite a while now, and I think i finaly have found the solution. My problem was that I lost the connection after a while without really knowing why. My xp-laptop were still online. Anyway, after discovering that my linksys router may not support DHCP BROADCAST flag, i found a solution from Microsoft on how to disable this function in Vista. So far my connection have been stable after adding the DhcpConnDisableBcastFlagToogle
So, here is how you do it.
1. Click Start
, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then click regedit in the Programs list.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{GUID}
In this registry path, click the (GUID) subkey that corresponds to the network adapter that is connected to the network.
If you don’t know wich one of those cryptic {GUID} to select, just find the one that has got an IP address. (se screenshot below)
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
4. In the New Value #1 box, type DhcpConnDisableBcastFlagToggle, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click DhcpConnDisableBcastFlagToggle, and then click Modify.
6. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
7. Close Registry Editor.
If you are using both wireless and regular connection, you’ll need to add DhcpConnDisableBcastFlagToggle to both.
42 Comments, Comment or Ping
Samaras
Cool!
Jun 20th, 2007
Steen
Thanks for sharing. I’ll try it and see if it works for me too.
Jul 19th, 2007
admin
I hope it does!
Jul 19th, 2007
Jim
This fix did not work for me. My Vista machine always comes up with network connection failed, but then connects when I force it to repair the IP address.
Is it because my 4 year old router is just too old? Lynksys BEFSR41 V2.
Thanks.
Jul 23rd, 2007
admin
That could be the case. I would contact Linksys and ask them, but I think a few things have changed in Vista when it comes to network connections compared to XP.
PS! You could also try to update the router’s firmware if possible.
Jul 23rd, 2007
gksbnrgqgh
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! aljqerdrmi
Aug 3rd, 2007
Halu
Nice
Aug 26th, 2007
Vincent Clement
I’m not buying into the whole “my router is just too old” argument. Networking has been around for some time now and is based on open standards. One shouldn’t have to buy a new router just to make their internet connection work with a new OS. The OS should be adapted to work properly with open standards.
If the TCP/IP stack worked in XP, then at the very least, Microsoft should have included some form of backward-compatibility or behaviour in the new TCP/IP stack. Instead we get a TCP/IP stack that works great for some, works sometime for some, and doesn’t work at all for others.
I’ve checked out many sites and they all have different solutions. That’s not a good sign.
Oct 22nd, 2007
admin
I can understand that you are sceptic. This information presented here is from Microsoft. It worked for me, and therefor I present this possible solution. I’ve used this “fix” now for 7-8 months without any problems at all.
Oct 24th, 2007
Peter Aidoo
My problem is that the laptop crashes like every ten mins unless I stop the ICS service. i can still connect to the net but having to stop the service before I can work is getting to be annoying. was this a symptom of the problems you were having.
Feb 5th, 2008
Fong
Thank you for your discovery. I just solved my Vsta connectivity issue by following your steps. My router is Belkin.
FYI -Microsoft also published the resolution in September 2007 on its support site - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928233
Mar 5th, 2008
Kstar
This is the only place on the net where I’ve seen how to solve this problem. I tried it and so far it seems to be working. Thanks!
Mar 17th, 2008
admin
I’m very glad the solution works for you guys! Greetings from the easter mountains in Norway.
Mar 21st, 2008
Scott Mc.
Thanks for the help. I hope this helps as this has been so darn aggrivating. As a web develpoer I am online all day, and I never know when Vista isgoing to take nap. The only way I have been able to get my conncection restored is to stop everything, I usually have about 15 windows open, and restart. What a pain!!
Thanks again.
Mar 31st, 2008
Emma Bradwell
Thank you, I was getting so frustrated, I tried your solution yesterday and got instant success.
May 12th, 2008
Pete Mac
Looks like i’m fixed…. most excellent… sit back and look smug! Thanks
Jun 19th, 2008
.s1
Do you have to reboot your machine for this to work? Seems when the second machine, connected to this router connects to the internet it kills mine… or leaving the net running for long periods of time ( even after this update w/o out reboot still) still kills my net. need i reboot first for this setting to take effect? i also saw this as well :
“MORE INFORMATION
If you know the router or the non-Microsoft DHCP server does not support the DHCP BROADCAST flag, you can set the following registry entry as follows instead of using the DhcpConnEnableBcastFlagToggle registry key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{GUID}
Value name: DhcpConnForceBroadcastFlag
Value type: REG_DWORD
Value data: 0
Note A data value of 0 disables this registry entry. You can use this registry entry to prevent Windows Vista from using the DHCP BROADCAST flag. After you set this registry entry, Windows Vista never uses the DHCP BROADCAST flag.”
Jun 28th, 2008
admin
Thanks Pete!
Jun 29th, 2008
admin
Hi there .s1
I would recomend rebooting the computer. That’s always a good idea when dealing with windows.
The problem regarding only beeing able to have one computer online is new to me.
Jun 29th, 2008
admin
Nice I could help Emma
Jun 29th, 2008
Justin
Another reason that this happens is because of Zone Alarm. I had two vista machines with the same problem, uninstalled ZA and the problem is gone on both.
Jul 3rd, 2008
.s1
well i tried this fix and the microsoft fix i listed, no dice
after a bit . still lose internet randomly. :shrug: using an nforce networking card, verizon FIOS router , and vista home premium.
Jul 5th, 2008
admin
I have to admint, I’m not familiar with that router. Are you using wireless or wired connection?
I would try using another router somewhere else to see if the problem is only connected to your router or any router.
Good Luck. Keep me posted
Jul 5th, 2008
.s1
well problem is this router has a coax going to it… i dont know of any other routers with coax insert… :s im wired btw, both pc’s are.
Jul 6th, 2008
Nicholas
Skal prøve en tid nå.. håper det hjalp…. hvis det gjorde det, er jeg ekstra kry for at det var en norsk en online som hjalp med dette kjipe problemet som har hjemsøkt meg xD
Jul 7th, 2008
Nicholas
IT DIDNT WORK!
Jul 7th, 2008
admin
Hei Nicholas
Det var leit at det ikke fungerte. Da er problemet et annet enn hva jeg hadde.
Gjelder problemet kun mot en spesifikk trådløs ruter eller gjelder det alle nettverk du er tilkoblet?
Cato
Jul 9th, 2008
miboy
Hi , i have come here searching for a solution for a strange problem. I read all you have given but i dont understand what dhcp stuff is. Iam posting my problem and request you to reply asap.
I have dual operating systems on my computer. xpsp2 an vista sp1. The problem is with my internet connection in vista. Suddenly i see that the network connection icon on the task bar in vista shows no network connection. In order to get that connection right, i have to log into xp first then vista. every time i have to connect to internet in vista i have to temporarily start xp. Its very frustrating and my customer service is a freaking fake of expertise making mockery of the whole process.
help me
Jul 12th, 2008
admin
Hi miboy
It does sounds a bit like my problem. Have you tried my solution? It can be reversed if necessary, so it’s safe to try.
DHCP is a protocol used by networked devices (clients) to obtain the parameters necessary for operation in an Internet Protocol network. (WIKI) It handles IP adresses for computers within a network. This is handled by your router who’s got a DHCP-server. In this case the router is most likely not fully compatible with Vista, so therefore you need to turn of DHCP broadcast flag in Vista.
Please let me know how it works out.
Jul 16th, 2008
Retahn
You are a GODSEND! I’ve been having this problem for months and every time I tried to explain it to someone they looked at me like I was crazy! Go Scandinavians! My favourite guild master ever was Swedish ^^
Jul 21st, 2008
admin
Great I could help Retahn. Just make sure you know I’m norwegian!
Jul 27th, 2008
Socratestes
Brilliant! It’s works. After months of cursing Ballmer. U D man. Give yourself three pay raises!.
Jul 28th, 2008
.s1
Still no avail for me, :s
Aug 15th, 2008
Sky
Thanks this is what i’ve been needing. I used to go to the internet and browse tons of sites then when i went to the site i really wanted to go to the most (caw.ws, at least their forum page) my computer would drop the routers signle like a bad habit After a max of 5 minutes. But fixed now so thanks again.
Sep 7th, 2008
Nikki
I tried this because I’m having the same problems and I had to restore my computer because it did not work for me but instead change my settings in the reg. still looking for answers to this problem….So, does anyone know if you can take Vista off the computer and put Windows XP onto it?
Sep 18th, 2008
DK
tried but no luck yet though still haven’t closed everything down or rebooted…
but anyone have a comment on the difference between step 5 on the solution here and the solution on the MS support site. here it says “DhcpConnDisableBcastFlagToggle” but MS says “DhcpConnEnableBcastFlagToggle” (Disable vs Enable)?
Oct 7th, 2008
DK
Anyone have a comment about the difference in step 5 with the solution posted here and the solution posted at the MS support website; i.e here says “DhcpConnDisableBcastFlagToggle” but MS says “DhcpConnEnableBcastFlagToggle” (Disable vs Enable)? Is one correct/better than the other or should they both work?
Oct 7th, 2008
KE
DK, for me at least, both works (I set both when I found the link to the MS page). I don’t know the difference either, I just tried both at once.
Yesterday I updated Vista and boom - DhcpConnDisableBcastFlagToggle had been deleted and DhcpConnEnableBcastFlagToggle had been set to 1. Another funny thing is that when I had lost Internet connection, due to this update, Firefox were able to restore it without rebooting. IE was open but didn’t find Internet connection even after Firefox had enabled it. Closing and starting IE again worked. Doesn’t matter as I prefer Firefox anyway
Oct 13th, 2008
KE
Sorry, a little copy and paste error early in the morning… The Vista update changed DhcpConnForceBroadcastFlag to 1 and deleted DhcpConnEnableBcastFlagToggle. It had kept DhcpConnDisableBcastFlagToggle with value 1.
Anyone know how to protect these register entries from being deleted or changed by Vista update? For now I just exported a .reg file.
Oct 13th, 2008
CD
Didn’t work for me,infact its got worse,now i’m having page load error for most sites…can’t open google or yahoo. I wonder if that will be permanently fixed before the next millenium.
Oct 15th, 2008
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