Fix: Cortana Not Connecting to the Internet

Some Windows 10 users are reporting being unable to use a lot of Cortana features because the AI Assistant is unable to connect to the internet. Most affected users report that this issue occurs even when the internet connection is stable,  location services are enabled.

Update: This particular Cortana behavior is only confirmed to occur with Microsoft accounts.

What causes the  Cortana Not Connecting to the Internet error

After investigating the issue and looking at various user reports, we managed to create a list of potential causes that will trigger this Cortana behavior. Here’s a list of culprits that might trigger or contribute to the apparition of this issue:

• A proxy server is interfering with Cortana – There are confirmed reports where this particular issue was caused by a proxy that was filtering the network connection. This supposedly interferes with Cortana’s ability to adapt search results and queries according to the user’s location.
• Glitched home network– If you have a dynamic IP, you can expect to get occasional inconsistencies with Cortana whenever your IP changes mid-operation. The solution, in this case, is to simply reboot the home network.
• Microsoft account information is inconsistent – As several users have reported, this issue can also occur if your Microsoft account information is incomplete or violates the community standards.
• Microsoft account needs to be verified – If you have two-step authentication enabled on your Microsoft Account, you might need to verify your account in order for Cortana to become usable again.

How to fix the  Cortana Not Connecting to the Internet error

If you’re currently struggling to make Cortana connect to the internet, this article will present you with a collection of verified troubleshooting steps. Below you have a collection of methods that other users in a similar situation have used to get the issue resolved.

For the best results, please follow the methods below in the order that they are presented. Start with the first one and work your way down until you encounter a fix that allows you to resolve the issue. Let’s begin!

Method 1: Restart or reset your modem or router 

Some users struggling with the same issue have reported that the issue was fixed as soon as they rebooted their home network. So, before you do anything else, let’s make sure that the issue is not caused by your home router or modem.

To test this theory, simply unplug and plug back in the power cable of your modem or use the reset button on the back if your modem has one.

Note: Keep in mind that with some models the Reset button will also delete the connection credentials. If you want to avoid any additional hassle, unplugging the power cable is probably the safest bet.

Once your network is rebooted, is also recommended that you restart your computer to force the router/modem to reassign an IP address to your PC.

If this method wasn’t effective in resolving the Cortana issue, continue down with the next method below.

Method 2: Disable any proxies (if applicable)

If you’re using a general proxy application or you simply filter your outgoing browser connections through a proxy, disable them and see if Cortana manages to recover.

But keep in mind that you might be required to restart your computer after disabling your proxy solution. Once you do so, see if Cortana is able to connect to the internet at the next startup.

If this method wasn’t applicable to your particular scenario, continue down with the next method below.

Method 3: Launch other application that uses a Microsoft account

This might seem like a weird fix, but a lot of users reported that this method was succesfull in allowing Cortana to connect to the Internet again. This method involves launching another application that uses your Microsoft account information in a similar way as Cortana – Store is a great contender for this task.

Several users that where previously struggled with this particular issue reported that launching the Store app prompted them a dialog box that allowed them to update their Microsoft Account with the required information.

With this in mind, open your Sore app and see if you’re able to complete your Microsoft Account information. Once the process is complete, restart your computer and see if your Cortana connectivity problem is resolved at the next startup.

Method 4: Verify your Microsoft Account

As per several user reports, Cortana might not be able to connect to the internet because your Microsoft account is no longer verified. This typically happens in those instances where the user uses a two-step authentication system with their Microsoft account.

If this scenario is applicable to your situation, open the Settings app and click on Accounts. Then, look under your Microsoft account to see if you have a Verify hyperlink. If you do have one, click on it.

Next, follow the on-screen prompts to verify your account. You’ll most likely be required to provide a code received through SMS or through the Authenticator app (depending on your previously established steps).

Once your account is verified, reboot your computer and see if the issue has been resolved at the next startup.