Windows 7 Network Icon in Tray has Red X
I am baffled. I have the Windows 7 Ultimate Signature Edition that I installed on my computer 2 days ago. I did a clean install to a formatted hard drive. As I was getting my computer ready to use, (updating, dl'ing drivers, browsers, IMs, etc) on a restart, I noticed my network icon has red X marked through it. I thought maybe something interferred with it so I went to the device manager and went to network adapters and clicked properties. It says that it's working properly. I then clicked update driver and it said it was up to date. I tried disabling and re-enabling to see if that help but nothing, goes back to the red X. The weird thing is that I can access the web but in the network and sharing menu, my connections section is blank. It won't let me disconnect from there either. I even tried to go to change adapter settings and it just gives me a blank page. I've tried uninstalling the network adapter and had to do a system restore just to get it back and working just to get on the internet but still has that red x. I'm just lost because right after the install of this OS, it was working fine. Please help.
October 10th, 2009 12:42am

Hi, First, I would like to confirm how the computer connects to Internet, via wired cable or wireless? At this stage, let's perform the following steps to troubleshoot the issue. 1. Download the latest network adapter driver from the manufacturer website and install it in compatible mode. 2. Verify relevant service a. Click "Start", go to run, type "services.msc" (without quotation marks) in the open box and press Enter. b. Click Continue button to verify the administrator permission. c. Right click the "Network Location Awareness" service and choose Properties. d. On General tab click Start. e. Choose Automatic next to Startup type. f. Click OK. 3. Restart the computer in Safe Mode with Networking for a test. If the issue persists, please capture a screenshot of "Network and Sharing Center" window and upload it to Skydrive (www.skydrive.live.com), and then share the link to me for research. Thanks, Novak
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October 12th, 2009 5:17am

Hi and thanks for responding. I solved my problem. It turns out that a file got corrupted and I had to reinstall Windows 7 all over again. So far, I haven't seen the problem since. Thanks so much for your help. :)
October 15th, 2009 7:46am

Hi, I have a new laptop with W7 Home Premium. Same issue is happening. I followed your advice, and it succeeded in removing the red x butl did not restore the blue circle icon that indicates the network is running. While restarting the network services the blue icon came and went, but then disappeared completely, even though I still have internet connection?
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December 9th, 2009 7:40pm

Hi All I Have The Same Problem ,All Thing Is Fine Network connected I Have good internet access But Network Icon appear Invalid (Red X if wireless),( cable unplugged if wired connection ) Driver Working 100% (I uninstalled driver and reinstalled again to check if driver files is missing or damaged ) I Think the explorer shell icon on dll host is corrupted ,maybe If anybody have answer ,,please tell me mailto:admin@sirajlighting.com
December 1st, 2010 8:26pm

For me it was an extra connection in adapter settings/network connections. Just deleted it as it was never there before, the red x is gone, and all is well once more. I would advise not jumping to a corruption conclusion so fast.
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February 13th, 2011 8:14pm

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