Hello everybody

I'm experiencing a very strange issue with Windows 8.1 x64 (this is a clean install of Windows 8.1)...

Sometimes, my computer suddenly claims to be unable to connect to any external host. For example, I try to visit any website. Funny though I can connect to websites like Google and visit other websites as well, but for example I'm unable to download a file anywhere (sorry I don't remember the error message).

Another example: Sometimes I try to play a game where you have to start a "patcher" first, then the patcher starts the actual game. I'm able to start the patcher, the patcher downloads the necessary files, then as soon as I start the game itself, I'm unable to connect to the login server. Really strange.

What I really don't understand: As soon as I restart my computer and retry whatever wasn't working, everything seems to work fine for an unknown time. A reboot fixes the issue I had, but the possibility that another application 

If I disable the Windows Firewall COMPLETELY (using wf.msc and turn off every firewall profile) and restart my computer afterwards, I don't experience any of the issues described above. I've been using my computer for more than 3 days with a disabled Windows Firewall and I never had any networking issue. Then I  re-enabled the Windows Firewall, and the issues began to appear again.

I've installed the most recent Windows updates as of today. The device drivers are up-to-date as well and the BIOS too. It's really frustrating as I seriously don't want to disable the firewall..

I used to work with Windows 7 x64 and Windows 8 x64 and I could swear I never had any issue with the Windows Firewall. It all started with Windows 8.1 now... Any ideas what could be wrong

Hi
Try to run this
1. Run cmd.exe as an administrator
2. Type "netsh winsock reset", and then press enter
3. Restart PC
Also check your antivirus status, maybe on firewall and disable antivirus and check what h

Hi,

For the issue, I would like to know if you create some rules for Windows Firewall.

Meanwhile, I suggest we perform the following steps to restore default setting,

1.Open Control Panel, and then click Windows Firewall.

2.In the left pane, click Restore defaults. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

3.In the dialog box that appears, click Restore defaults. At the confirmation prompt, click Yes.

If the issue persists, I suggest you check the follow path to see if there are any errors in the Firewall.

Control Panel>>Windows Firewall>>Windows Firewall with Advanced Security>>Monitoring>>Firewall

Keep post.

Regards,

Hi

Thanks for both suggestions. I forgot to mention this, but I've already tried to completely restore the Windows Firewall defaults. A winsock reset doesn't help as well, I've already tried this.

But what I haven't tried is disabling the antivirus. Is this even possible that the antivirus might be the cause for the issues? I'm using ESET Antivirus 7.0 x64. It's not the Security Suite where the personal firewall is included..

Hi,

As you said, you have installed the  ESET Antivirus. I think we need to disable it to narrow down this issue.

If the issue persists, let us use Network Monitor to monitor all network behavior.

Microsoft Network Monitor 3.4

http://www.microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=4865

Regards,

Hi there

Thanks a lot for your answers and please excuse my delayed reply, I was very busy during the last days.

However, I've been trying and trying and trying to get this finally to work. I've tried using the default NIC driver. The default NIC driver was even worse, as I had disconnects all the time.

Yesterday I completely uninstalled both malware protection software, ESET Antivirus and Malwarebytes. Now I'll check what happens for the next few days. If the issue continues to appear, I'm going to simply apply this workaround: Use Windows 7 instead...

I'll give you a feedback very soon.

And here's the feedback: Didn't work, downgrading to Windows 7 now.

This thread can be closed now.

I think that you should check your DNS, set it to Google's DNS like: 4.2.2.4 and 4.2.2.3

Hope it's helpful