Firewall Blocking Internet Connection

Hello-

 

Since I've installed Norton 360, I have had a problem with randomly being blocked from connecting to the internet. Cable modem, only 1 PC, everything is fine there.  It's just at least once, or twice a day, I get:

 

"Windows confirmed that 'Primary DNS Server" is currently online but is not responding to connection attempts at the time."

 

"This usually means that a firewall is running somewhere between the two computers and is blocking "domain". Windows has confirmed that Windows Firewall on this compluter is correctly configured to allow this connection. However, a remote firewall might be blocking your connection."

 

When I go in to Windows Firewall it shows that it is off, and that Norton is the current firewall.  So every time this happens, I have to turn the Norton Firewall off, then restart, and wait for everything to come back up again, turn the firewall back on, and then try to stay online as long as possible without losing connection again.  How do I fix this, please?

 

Thanks in advance.

Jade

When you installed Norton, was there any other security software on the machine?  How was any earlier software removed?  If you are using a router, that is normally your DNS server.  It could be that your ISP is renewing the lease every so often.  Mine used to drop out every night around 7:00.

Hi jadeaz,

 

You can try using the Firewall Reset option in the Norton Smart Firewall Advanced Settings to set the firewall to its defaults. 

Unfortunately, hitting the reset button doesn't do anything.  I've hit it a dozen times but there is nothing that changes.  I've made no changes to the original configuration.

 

Windows firewall was on but has been turned off.  No other security software has been installed.  I now have to turn the Norton firewall off just so I can access the internet and it works just fine then. 

 

Any ideas on why the firewall is blocking my connection and how to correct this?

 

Thanks again.

Jade

Hello Jade

 

Perhaps the suggestions listed on this Microsoft site may help. There are various things suggested there which might help.

 

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-networking/cant-communicate-with-primary-dns-server/9043f785-2f4e-4cc1-adf5-6ba5ca413749

 

Maybe changing your DNS servers will correct the problem or flushing the DNS  will solve the problem. I believe one of the posts in the above thread will give the instructions on how to flush the DNS. It says for Windows 7, but I have a feeling that the things mentioned may work with other o/s's. Just an idea.

Thank you for the link, Floplot.  I'm going to start going through the suggestions there and try to find a fix.

Since the issue is fixed by disabling the firewall,the issue can be resolved by reconfiguring the smart firewall settings.

 

Click on settings in the top and click on network settings.

 

Under the settings for smartfirewall,you will see program control.Click on program control and check for the browser you have and make sure the status is validated as " Allow "

 

Turn on Smart firewall and see if that works.

 

Let me know the result...Cheers!

 

Hi jadaez,

 


Unfortunately, hitting the reset button doesn't do anything.  I've hit it a dozen times but there is nothing that changes.  I've made no changes to the original configuration.


Firewall resets the settings to its default settings on clicking Firewall Reset. The changes wont catch much attention in the UI. But you can see the change made in Security History.

 


Windows firewall was on but has been turned off.  


N360 firewall takes control after the install.

 

Thanks,

Padma.