Windows has internet access but the apps won't connect

That your mobile phone or computer tells you that You have internet but the apps won't connect It's one of those frustrating glitches: the Wi-Fi seems to work fine, the browser opens some pages, but apps like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or Google Play just keep loading forever.

This type of problem often hides very different causes: from a network or DNS configuration failure...even a poorly configured VPN, an overly aggressive firewall, errors in Play StoreData restrictions, malware, or even occasional server outages could be the cause. Let's break it down carefully and see, point by point, what might be happening and everything you can do to fix it on Android, iOS, and Windows.

Why is there internet but some apps won't connect?

When you see that only certain applications stop working while others do, there's almost always a problem with How does that specific app communicate with the Internet?It's not the same to have no network coverage on the entire device as it is to have it selectively.

On mobile phones it is common that Instagram or WhatsApp work well But TikTok, Twitter/X, Pinterest, or some Google apps won't load at all. On computers, this can happen with specific applications (for example, an online game, a desktop program, or Microsoft services) while the browser opens websites without any problem.

This is almost never a coincidence: it can be due to a firewall is blocking portsThis could be because the VPN or proxy is changing protocols, the DNS isn't resolving certain domains correctly, the IP address is blocked by the app, or some internal system setting is restricting traffic from those specific applications.

There are also cases where it's really not the fault of your phone or your router: sometimes it's the servers of the app itself Those that are down, overloaded, or under maintenance, and that's why everything stays indefinitely on "connecting...".

Influences of the router, Wi-Fi, and network configuration

Often the problem originates in the network equipment itself. A typical example is when you use a old router or a misconfigured Wi-Fi extender (for example, a D-Link DIR-615 acting as a repeater) and some apps start behaving strangely: YouTube thumbnails that don't load, Google login that hangs, Instagram that opens intermittently, etc.

In some of these cases the cause lies in a bad IPv6, DNS or IP configuration This causes certain services to malfunction. Even if you have a connection, some domains required by apps simply don't respond.

In Windows, it is very effective to do a deep reset of the network stackFrom a command prompt (CMD) opened as administrator, you can run these commands one by one:

• netsh winsock reset
• netsh int ip reset
• ipconfig /release
• ipconfig /renew
• ipconfig /flushdns

This forces Windows to Rebuild TCP/IP configurations and DNS cache from scratchThis usually solves unusual behavior if the fault originates from the network stack.

Additionally, in Windows, it's advisable to check the system's DNS service. From the Services window (Windows key + R and type) services.mscYou can search DNS ClientRight-click and select Restart. Sometimes this is enough to get all applications resolving domains normally again.

Finally, Windows 10 and 11 include an option to Network Reset (in Settings > Network & Internet > Network status) which removes all adapters, reinstalls them, and resets the network, Wi-Fi, and VPN settings to their original state. It's a more drastic measure, but very useful when nothing else seems to work.

VPN, proxy, and IP or geolocation blocking

VPNs are wonderful for protecting privacy and bypassing certain restrictions, but they can also be the culprit behind... The apps fail to establish a stable or fast connectionBy encrypting and routing all traffic through remote servers, they change our IP address and sometimes the protocol and ports used.

This can cause some applications (especially those that need low latency or persistent connections, such as online games, video calls, or certain streaming apps) hang up or disconnect constantlyIt's even possible that they only stop working when you're on Wi-Fi and not on mobile data, or vice versa.

If you suspect the VPN, it's best to try... disable it completely and even uninstall its application for a while. If the apps reconnect without problems as soon as you remove it, you know what the problem is.

Proxies also play a role, especially in corporate or university networks. A misconfigured HTTP proxy can cause... Requests from certain apps never leave your device. or get stuck halfway. On Android, you can check for an active proxy in the advanced Wi-Fi network settings; on Windows and macOS, in the system network options.

Another possible scenario is that the service you are trying to access is restricted by country or IP rangeFor example, some social media platforms, streaming services, or Microsoft APIs may block access from certain IP addresses or regions. In these cases, a well-configured VPN, which simulates being in another country, can be the solution rather than the problem.

APN, DNS and proxy on mobile devices

When the problem appears mainly with mobile data, the usual suspect is the APN (Access Point Name), which is the "bridge" through which your phone connects to your carrier's network.

The APN is usually configured automatically when you insert the SIM card, but sometimes it fails or is deleted after a ROM change, reset, or update. If the APN is incorrect, It may appear that you have data But some apps never quite connect.

To check this, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile networks > SIM cards > Access Point Names (APNs). Check the current APN and compare it with the ones listed. official data from your operator (They usually have them on their website or they'll give them to you over the phone). If something is missing, create a new APN with the correct parameters, save it, and select it.

Another source of errors are the manual DNS incorrectly configuredIf you've changed this on your Wi-Fi network, go back to that network's settings, enter Advanced Options, change IP Settings to Static, and check the DNS 1 and DNS 2 fields. You can use, for example, 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare).

If your apps reconnect after changing them, then you know the problem was a DNS that wasn't resolving domains correctly that the apps use. If you don't notice any improvement, you can revert the settings to automatic or delete the customization.

Also check if the Wi-Fi network has a HTTP proxy (very common in work or university networks). From Advanced Wi-Fi Network Options, you can see if there is a manual proxy with address and port. If you don't need it, select "None" and save the changes.

When things get really complicated and you can't seem to find the right solution, Android is usually very effective. reset network settings From Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth. This erases saved networks, custom APNs, and Bluetooth pairings, but leaves you with a clean slate to start from scratch.

Data restrictions, battery usage, and app permissions

Another very common reason why it seems like there's internet access but an app isn't using it is... data saving or the individual restrictions that some manufacturers add in their customization layers.

Android has a mode of Data saving When activated, this feature limits background mobile network usage for most apps. You can check this in Settings > Network & Internet > Data Saver and, within that, configure "Unrestricted data" to select the apps you want to have full access even with this mode enabled.

In addition, some manufacturers (Huawei, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and others) add menus where you can specifically block internet access for certain appsThis applies to both Wi-Fi and mobile data, whether in the foreground or background. These settings are usually found in the app's information panel, in sections such as Data Usage, Battery, or Network Permissions.

If a specific app refuses to connect while the rest work fine, go to Settings > Applications, find it, and check both. your permissions, such as your network and battery settings.Make sure that background data is not restricted, that it can use mobile data and WiFi, and that it is not marked as "restricted" in battery saver settings.

In case of many failures with several different apps, it may also help to opt for Reset application preferences in the applications menu. This restores permissions, default apps, background data restrictions, etc., to their original state without deleting your personal data or uninstalling anything.

If, after all of the above, an application continues to crash on its own, the most practical solution is to clear its internal memory from Settings > Applications > Storage and tap on Clear cache and clear dataIf that doesn't work, uninstall it and reinstall it from the official store.

Firewall, antivirus and security software

On computers (and on some mobile phones with advanced security apps) the firewalls and antivirus They can block traffic from certain applications without us even noticing. Sometimes they mistakenly identify a program as dangerous and cut off its internet access.

If only a specific application loses connection and you're using a third-party firewall (or Windows' own firewall with custom rules), go into its control panel and check if the program appears as blocked or limitedAdd it to the whitelist or mark it as trusted so it can connect.

Something similar happens with antivirus software: some include their own web protection modules or firewalls. If you suspect they are interfering, you can temporarily disable them (Just a few minutes) to check if the problem disappears. If the app connects without problems with the antivirus turned off, you'll need to adjust its rules or consider changing your security solution.

On Android phones with a firewall integrated into the antivirus, also check the rules: you may have inadvertently denied access. access to mobile data or WiFi to an app And that's why it never manages to connect.

Another element to review are the ad blockers and trackingThis includes both browser extensions and apps that filter traffic. Some go too far and block entire domains used by authentication services, APIs, or content delivery networks, leaving apps unusable.

Finally, if you've modified the hosts file on Windows, macOS, or a rooted Android device, make sure you don't have any issues. Important domains redirected to 0.0.0.0 or 127.0.0.1This would prevent connection to certain services (for example, Microsoft or Google servers) even if the rest of the Internet is working fine.

Malware, conflicting apps, and safe mode

It cannot be ruled out that the origin of the problem is some kind of malware or unwanted software that is interfering with the connection of certain apps. There are viruses, Trojans, and adware that modify DNS, add hidden proxies, or monitor traffic.

If you suspect this, take a look. full scan with a good antivirus (Microsoft Defender, Avast, Bitdefender, or another trusted security tool) on your PC, and also use reputable security tools on Android. Remove any threats they detect and restart your device afterward.

On Android, a practical way to check if the problem is caused by an app you installed is to start the system in safe modeThis way, the phone starts up with only the system applications and temporarily disables third-party applications.

You can usually enter safe mode by holding down the power button and, in the menu that appears, holding down the Power Off option until “Restart in safe mode"In other models, it is achieved by starting the phone while holding down the volume down button from the moment you turn it on."

If all the default apps connect correctly in safe mode and the problem disappears, then you can almost confirm that there is a problem. any installed app that is breaking the connectionIt's time to uninstall, starting with the last ones you added or those that manage VPN, security, cleaning or "optimization".

In extreme cases, and only when you have tried everything else, you can consider restore the mobile phone to factory settingsHowever, be sure to back up your data first, as everything will be erased. On Android, this is done by going to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data. After doing so, your device will be like new, with no trace of apps or conflicting settings.

Problems specific to the app or its servers

The device isn't always the culprit: there are times when The application servers are down or overloaded. And that's why you can't connect, even though everything else is working perfectly.

If the problem only occurs in one specific app (for example, TikTok, Twitter/X, or Pinterest) while the rest are working fine, there might be a problem at that exact moment. scheduled maintenance or an incident on their servers. Sometimes it's resolved in minutes, other times it takes a little longer.

To get your bearings, you can look at social media or service monitoring websites, although often the most sensible thing to do is simply Wait a while and try againIf it fixes itself over time without you changing anything, it was almost certainly an issue with the app.

Errors can also occur during the installation itself: damaged files, corrupted internal settings, etc. In these cases, the remedy is clear data and cache Try reinstalling the app (on mobile devices) or reinstalling it (on both mobile devices and PCs). If a clean reinstall works, the problem was with your local settings.

It's a good idea to always keep your apps updated, as many new versions fix bugs. connection failures, certificate errors, or incompatibilities with the operating system version. Go to the Play Store, App Store, or Microsoft Store and apply all pending updates.

Operator, router, and other external factors

Finally, we must not forget that sometimes the blame lies with the mobile operator or internet providerA network incident, maintenance, or a massive failure can result in unstable connections where some apps work erratically and others stop connecting altogether.

If several devices at home (mobile phones, computers, tablets) are behaving strangely at the same time, it's a good idea restart the routerTurn it off or unplug it, wait about 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait until all the lights stabilize and try again.

If the problems persist after restarting your router, connect another device to the same network and see if it also fails with the same apps. If the pattern repeats across multiple devices, contact your internet service provider for assistance. Check your line, the DNS servers assigned to you, and any potential issues. in your area.

In the case of mobile data, if you've been experiencing outages or slow speeds at certain times or in certain areas, contact your operator Explain the problem to them. They can check if your area is under construction, maintenance, or if there are any specific limitations affecting your line or SIM card.

When nothing else works and you've ruled out problems with apps, settings, viruses, and carriers, the option of reset the network or completely restore the device It's usually the last resort. It's a hassle, because you'll have to reconfigure Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and probably reinstall apps, but it clears the way for getting rid of "broken" settings you might have been carrying around for years.

Tackling the classic problem of “there’s internet but the apps won’t connect” involves ruling out causes one by one: starting with the simplest (Restart mobile and router, check VPN, Play Store and APN) to review firewall, antivirus, data restrictions, DNS or even possible server outages; with a little method And without going crazy trying to fix everything at once, you'll usually end up finding the source of the problem and getting all your apps to reconnect normally.