Question:

How can I resolve the “Network action needed” error when installing Windows from a USB boot on a new PC?

I have built a new PC and I am trying to install Windows from a USB boot, but I cannot get past the WiFi screen where it asks me to select a network. It shows a “Network action needed” message and does not proceed. I have tried to reinstall Windows from the USB boot, but it did not work. I suspect that the problem might be related to the university network that I am using, but I have also tried to use my mobile hotspot and it did not work either. I do not know what else to do. How can I fix this issue and complete the Windows installation?

Answer:

If you are trying to install Windows from a USB boot on a new PC, you may encounter a problem where you cannot get past the WiFi screen. It may show a “Network action needed” message and ask you to select a network, but it does not proceed. This can be very frustrating and prevent you from completing the Windows installation. In this article, we will explain what causes this error and how to resolve it.

What causes the “Network action needed” error?

The “Network action needed” error occurs when Windows cannot connect to the internet during the installation process. Windows needs to access the internet to download and install updates, drivers, and other features. Without an internet connection, Windows cannot complete the installation and shows the error message.

There are several possible reasons why Windows cannot connect to the internet. Some of the common ones are:

• The network you are trying to connect to is not compatible with Windows. This may happen if you are using a university network, a public network, or a network that requires authentication or registration.
• The network adapter or driver on your PC is not working properly. This may happen if you have a faulty hardware component, a corrupted driver, or a mismatched driver.
• The network settings on your PC are incorrect or conflicting. This may happen if you have changed the network settings manually, or if you have a proxy, VPN, or firewall that interferes with the network connection.

How to resolve the “Network action needed” error?

To fix the “Network action needed” error, you need to establish a stable and compatible internet connection for your PC. Depending on the cause of the error, you may need to try different solutions. Here are some possible solutions that you can try:

• Use a wired connection instead of a wireless connection. A wired connection is more reliable and less prone to interference. To use a wired connection, you need to have an Ethernet cable and a port on your PC and your router. Plug one end of the cable into your PC and the other end into your router. Then, restart the Windows installation and see if the error is gone.
• Use a different wireless network that is compatible with Windows. If you are using a university network, a public network, or a network that requires authentication or registration, you may need to switch to a different network that does not have these restrictions. For example, you can use your mobile hotspot, your home network, or a friend’s network. To use a different wireless network, you need to have the network name and password. Then, select the network from the WiFi screen and enter the password. See if the error is gone.
• Update or reinstall the network adapter or driver on your PC. If the network adapter or driver on your PC is not working properly, you may need to update or reinstall it. To do this, you need to have another device that can access the internet, such as a laptop or a smartphone. Then, you need to find the model and manufacturer of your network adapter or driver. You can usually find this information on the packaging of your PC or the manufacturer’s website. Then, you need to download the latest version of the network adapter or driver from the manufacturer’s website. Save the file to a USB drive or a cloud storage service. Then, plug the USB drive into your PC or access the cloud storage service from your PC. Run the file and follow the instructions to update or reinstall the network adapter or driver. Restart the Windows installation and see if the error is gone.
• Reset the network settings on your PC. If the network settings on your PC are incorrect or conflicting, you may need to reset them to the default values. To do this, you need to access the command prompt from the Windows installation screen. To access the command prompt, press Shift + F10 on your keyboard. Then, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:

“`cmd

netsh winsock reset

netsh int ip reset

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

ipconfig /flushdns

“`

These commands will reset the network settings and clear the DNS cache. Restart the Windows installation and see if the error is gone.

Conclusion

The

“Network action needed” error is a common problem that can occur when installing Windows from a USB boot on a new PC. It is caused by a lack of internet connection during the installation process. To fix the error, you need to establish a stable and compatible internet connection for your PC. You can try using a wired connection, a different wireless network, updating or reinstalling the network adapter or driver, or resetting the network settings. Hopefully, one of these solutions will work for you and you will be able to complete the Windows installation successfully.