Browsers freeze, internet connection lost

AI Thread Summary
A user has been experiencing internet connectivity issues on a 5-6 year old HP Pavilion, requiring frequent reboots to restore browser functionality across Edge, Firefox, and Chrome. Possible causes discussed include outdated settings, driver issues, and potential overheating due to dust accumulation. Cleaning the internal components with compressed air and resetting cables were suggested as solutions. The user noted that intensive read/write operations on the hard disk during browser startup caused freezing and slow system performance, which was resolved by reinstalling the browsers. After implementing several troubleshooting steps, including adjusting browser settings and cleaning the hardware, the user reported improved performance and stable internet connectivity.
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Here's a new one, but in the past couple of weeks I have to reboot my windows to get the internet connection started up again. It happens with all my browsers installed, Edge (which I do not normally use), Firefox (my default) and Chrome (backup).

Someplace a setting is hanging up or a driver is shutting down.

By the way the machine is a 5-6 year old HP pavilion and all the drivers are up to date.
 
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Could it be heat related? Do you hear the fan running pretty soon after you've turned it on?

Perhaps you could use compressed air to blow out the innards and/or reset the cards and cables to remove the possibility of static discharge.
 
I'll try it, we have been having the house torn apart and there is a butt load of dust and I haven't cleaned it out in a while...
 
It could be many things. My answer is probably trite, but here it goes. I noticed once that when I opened the browsers, the OS began intensive read/write operations on the hard disk while opening it. That makes the browser freeze and appear as Not Responding for a good while amount of time. I'm talking as much as 1 minute here. The whole operating system became slow too.

I didn't really know what was going on, but a reinstall of the browser fixed it for me (removing also all browser data in AppData). The only problem is that if you had add-ons or extensions you have to install them again. Check if you notice intensive read/write operations on the hard disk while opening it.

Note: My hard disk health was good. Not a single sector was damaged or so said the health report.
 
Windows 10? Maybe there is a memory leak somewhere? Scan for malware.
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
Windows 10? Maybe there is a memory leak somewhere? Scan for malware.
did, matter a fact, had mcaffee do it twice from their end. No malware, although on occasion when I reset/reboot, a read exception pops up. Next thought is a hard drive if it isn't dust.

Tried to blow the dust and grime out, it was bad, let's see if that helps.
 
Psinter said:
It could be many things. My answer is probably trite, but here it goes. I noticed once that when I opened the browsers, the OS began intensive read/write operations on the hard disk while opening it. That makes the browser freeze and appear as Not Responding for a good while amount of time. I'm talking as much as 1 minute here. The whole operating system became slow too.

I didn't really know what was going on, but a reinstall of the browser fixed it for me (removing also all browser data in AppData). The only problem is that if you had add-ons or extensions you have to install them again. Check if you notice intensive read/write operations on the hard disk while opening it.

Note: My hard disk health was good. Not a single sector was damaged or so said the health report.

Drive doesn't seem to labor when I open browsers, it might be slow, but they open fine.

One thing I may have not mentioned, this happens randomly when I have been on for a while, but it seems to be random, no specific time involved.
 
Dr Transport said:
Drive doesn't seem to labor when I open browsers, it might be slow, but they open fine.
Hmmmm. I wouldn't know then. Probably this you could try:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10741/windows-10-fix-network-connection-issues

Like, access that page with a tablet or phone for when the next time it happens. If it is neither of them, I would check the DNS. But in a couple of those many troubleshooting listed there, the DNS should get fixed automatically.
 
Update:

I did a couple of the things suggested above, I did adjust the setting for both Firefox and Chrome and the biggest thing I did was to open up the case and blow out all of the dust/grime and reset all the cables.

So far so good, none of the browsers have locked up and the computer has not lost connectivity with the interwebs...

Thanks to all,
 
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