In order to make sure that your computer receives the latest updates from Windows Update, you must be connected to the Internet.

Symptom

You receive a notification that Microsoft Security Essentials is unable to install the latest updates because you are not connected to the Internet.

Cause

Internet issues might be due to connection problems between your computer and your router.

Solution

Note:
Before you begin, print, or write down these instructions. You will restart your computer during this procedure, so you'll need a copy of the steps to refer to. The steps may contain a link to another Web site, so you may want to return to this topic after restarting your computer.

Step 1: Test your Internet connection by trying to visit several Web sites and checking other Internet-enabled applications

Step 2: Verify that your computer is connected to the Internet

  1. In Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type ncpa.cpl, and then press Enter.

    –or–

    In Windows Vista, click Start, click in the Start Search box, type ncpa.cpl, and then press Enter.

    –or–

    In Windows 7, click Start, click in the Search programs and files box, type ncpa.cpl, and then press Enter.

  2. Right-click the connection name and then click Status.

  3. If your computer is connected, in Windows XP the connection status will appear as Connected, Enabled, or Authentication succeeded. In Windows Vista and Windows 7, the IPv4 status will appear as Internet.

  4. If your computer doesn't appear to be connected, right-click the connection name, and then click Connect, Enable, Authenticate, or Repair.

Step 3: Restart your computer

  • Close any open programs and restart your computer.

Step 4: If you still can't connect to the Internet, check your connections

  1. If you use a dial-up connection, make sure the telephone cord connection in the wall jack and in your modem are firmly connected.

  2. If you use a cable modem, make sure the cable connection to the modem and the connection from the modem to your computer are firmly connected.

  3. If you use a cable modem or DSL router, make sure the connections to the router and to the computer are firmly connected. Try unplugging and turning off the router and modem. Wait a few minutes, plug in the modem in first, wait one minute, then plug in the router, and restart your computer.

Step 5: Use the Windows Network Diagnostic tool

For computers running Windows Vista and Windows 7

  1. In Windows Vista, click Start, click in the Start Search box, type ncpa.cpl, and then press Enter.

    –or–

    In Windows 7, click Start, click in the Search programs and files box, type ncpa.cpl, and then press Enter.

  2. Right-click the network connection that the computer would use to connect to the Internet, click Diagnose, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

  3. If you use a cable modem or DSL router, make sure the connections to the router and to the computer are firmly connected.

  4. Try unplugging and turning off the router and modem. Wait a few minutes, plug in the modem in first, wait one minute, then plug in the router, and restart your computer.

For computers running Windows XP

  1. In the Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Diagnostics.

  2. If you do not see the Network and Internet Connections option in Control Panel, click Start, and then click Help and Support. On the Help and Support Center page, under Pick a Task, click Use Tools to view your computer information and diagnose problems. In the left hand column of the tools page, click Network Diagnostics.

Step 6: If you still can't connect to the Internet, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the company that provides your access to the Internet