Here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot and fix installation problems related to network authentication in Windows:
Step 1: Ensure the Network Adapter is enabled
- Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Network and Sharing Center
- Click on “Change adapter settings”
- Select the network adapter that’s connected to your network
- Click on the “Enable” button
Step 2: Update Network Drivers
- Open Device Manager (Press Windows + X and select Device Manager)
- Expand each category in the tree view
- Look for network adapters with an exclamation mark next to them (this indicates a problem)
- Right-click on the affected adapter and select “Update driver”
- Follow the prompts to find and install any available updates
Step 3: Disable and Re-enable Network Adapter
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator
- Type the following command to disable the network adapter:
net stop wuauserv
- Wait for a few seconds, then type the following command to re-enable the network adapter:
net start wuauserv
Step 4: Check Network Connection
- Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Network and Sharing Center
- Click on “Change adapter settings”
- Select the network adapter that’s connected to your network
- Right-click on the network icon in the right pane
- Click on “Properties”
- Ensure the following settings are set correctly:
+ Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) – Enabled
+ Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) – Disabled
+ DNS Server Selection – Select a DNS server from a list of available options
Step 5: Use Network Authentication
- Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Network and Sharing Center
- Click on “Change adapter settings”
- Select the network adapter that’s connected to your network
- Right-click on the network icon in the right pane
- Click on “Properties”
- Ensure the following settings are set correctly:
+ Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) – Enabled
+ Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) – Disabled
+ Authentication Method – Select a suitable authentication method, such as:
* Windows Authentication (for Windows users)
* Network Level Authentication (NLA) for non-Windows users
Step 6: Run the System File Checker
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator
- Type the following command to run the System File Checker:
sfc /scannow
This will scan and replace any corrupted system files with new ones.
Additional Troubleshooting Steps
- Check for malware or viruses that may be interfering with network authentication
- Ensure that all software is up-to-date, as outdated software can cause connectivity issues
- Restart your computer in safe mode to isolate the issue
If none of these steps resolve the problem, you may need to:
- Run a System Restore to revert to a previous point when everything was working correctly
- Perform a clean install of Windows
- Seek further assistance from Microsoft Support or a professional technician