This topic

Why does my desktop log off the internet?

keithp — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 14:02:24 GMT

OK - not sure about this one. This morning my desktop worked fine, I turn it on it connects no issues. Then I switched my brand new laptop on with W11 - the desktop has W10. Anyhow after an hour or so the laptop finished and was connected no problem. But at the same time the desktop logs out. Both devices use wifi. I reconnected the desktop and left the connect automatically icon ticked. I clicked google, the internet page came up, then the device disconnected again, but the new laptop was fine as was the other W10 laptop and the smart phone. Again i reconnected entering the password again, internet was fine, tried to access a new site (Nationwide) and the device logged off. So it seems when I switch on, I have to enter the BT password, then it connects. I have no idea if I have switched something off, or why it has just started to do it.

Any ideas at all -as the wifi works ok for the other devices.

Keith

Re: Why does my desktop log off the internet?

shakey1981 — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 15:10:14 GMT

does anyo other device do this thats connected on wfi

im assuming that whats your connect by

if so then this maybe interference causing the router to drop

or the adapter setting

plug the laptop in to battery and see if you get the same if you dont likely to be this

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005879/wireless/legacy-intel-wireless-products.html

Re: Why does my desktop log off the internet?

keithp — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 15:59:10 GMT

No the other laptops and phone all remain connected.

I have no idea what else to try.

Re: Why does my desktop log off the internet?

WSH — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 18:12:32 GMT

By “logs out” I’m assuming you mean disconnects from the internet?

If one device disconnects when another starts up, it suggests an IP address conflict.

Re: Why does my desktop log off the internet?

keithp — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 22:38:56 GMT

The other devices including the laptop stay connected. So what happens is the new laptop (W11) is on, you switch the desktop on (W10) it does not connect to the internet, you have to manually click connect. The laptop stays connected. You switch the desktop off, restart, same thing happens again. All this started after switching the brand new laptop on.

Re: Why does my desktop log off the internet?

WSH — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 22:50:26 GMT

So, neither of them is on a static IP then?

Have you tried forgetting the Wi-Fi connection on the W10 then putting the settings in from scratch again?

The other thing would be to reinstall the Wi-Fi drivers.

Re: Why does my desktop log off the internet?

keithp — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 08:02:06 GMT

What is a static IP?

Wi Fi drivers are all up to date, as it only happened after starting the new laptop - is there a connection?

Re: Why does my desktop log off the internet?

VeteranISPUser — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 08:18:52 GMT

Hi @keithp It really does sound like an IP address conflict. Try Googling "how to renew ip address" for instructions on how to renew it on the offending device.

Re: Why does my desktop log off the internet?

keithp — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 09:26:02 GMT

Ok I have done that, but before I start fiddling with settings, etc (as i am a complete idiot with computers) how safe is this? What happens if it goes wrong? Also I still don't know why it happened - any ideas on that?

Re: Why does my desktop log off the internet?

patricia_clark6 — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:10:37 GMT

Probably the best thing to do is to delete the Wi-Fi network on your desktop and reconnect, or update the Wi-Fi driver. Because the problem here is most likely not with the router. Since all other devices remain connected.

Re: Why does my desktop log off the internet?

WSH — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:34:03 GMT

My apologies for the delay getting back to you. Been busy myself.

To answer your question…every device must have a unique address. For computers this is usually done via a piece of software in the router called DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). This leases an address to a computer, and it gets renewed periodically. It’s called dynamic or automatic addressing.

It is also desirable in certain circumstances to permanently set an address on a device. This called a static address. It has nothing to do with DHCP and the danger here is that if it not done correctly, at some point DHCP will issue the same address to another device. The two devices then argue about who owns the address and all sorts of chaos ensue, including the type of behaviour you have described.

I don’t know what article you’ve looked at on Google, so I can’t say how “safe” it is but changing an IP address is straightforward and should not be risky. Before you do so, the easiest way to check if this is indeed the problem here is to do the following:

On both machines type CMD in the search box and press enter. This opens a black and white command window. In this window type ipconfig and press enter. This brings up a display of basic information including the IPv4 address. The address will be in the form of 192.168.1.x The first part is the address for the network and 192.168.1 is BT’s default setting. All your devices will share this. However, the x must be different for the two machines. If x is the same, this where your problem is coming from.

In terms of removing the static address, (if there is one), it might be easier to get a friend, neighbour or relative in to do it, but as I said, it’s very basic stuff and not likely to cause any problems.