all downloads fail immediately

If all downloads are failing immediately, this issue could be due to misconfigurations, system instability, or external blockages. Let’s troubleshoot this systematically to identify the root cause and fix it.

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1. Potential Causes for Failed Downloads​

• Network-related Issues:
  • Unstable or slow internet connection.
  • Proxy settings or DNS issues impacting downloads.
  • Firewall or antivirus incorrectly blocking downloads.
• Browser/cache Issues:
  • Corrupted cache or data can interfere with download processes.
  • Misbehaving browser extensions/add-ons.
• System Settings and DNS:
  • Misconfigured system settings (e.g., download paths, permissions).
  • Corrupted DNS resolver cache.
• Third-party Interference:
  • Antivirus/antimalware programs blocking downloads.
  • Parental control software or network restrictions.

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2. Troubleshooting Steps​

Step 1: Test Basic Internet Connectivity​

• Open a few websites in your browser to confirm that internet connectivity works.
• Test by downloading a small file from a reliable source (like a test file from speed.hetzner or Microsoft).
• If downloads work on a mobile device or another computer on the same network, the issue might be specific to your machine.

Step 2: Check Browser Issues​

• Clear your browser cache:
  • In Chrome/Edge: Go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Clear Browsing Data and clear Cache and Cookies (don’t clear passwords or autofill data if saved).
• Disable all browser extensions:
  • Go to Extensions/Add-ons and disable them temporarily to rule out conflicts.
• Try downloading using a different browser (e.g., Firefox, Edge, or another browser installed on your system).

Step 3: Check Security Software Settings​

• Disable antivirus/firewall temporarily.
• Some programs like Windows Defender SmartScreen, Norton, or ESET can block downloads under certain conditions. Check their quarantine logs to ensure they aren’t falsely stopping your files.
• If downloads start working after disabling the antivirus, whitelist your browser’s executable in the antivirus software.

Step 4: Verify Download Path and Permissions​

• Ensure the default download directory (e.g., C:\Users\[YourUser]\Downloads) is accessible:
  • Open File Explorer, navigate to your Downloads folder, and confirm it works correctly.
  • Try changing your browser’s download directory under browser settings temporarily to another folder (like C:\Temp) and test if downloads work.

Step 5: Flush DNS Cache and Restart Internet Connection​

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run these commands:
  
  Code:

  cmd ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew

• Restart your router/modem to reset your internet connection.

Step 6: Disable Proxy or VPN​

• In Windows Settings:
  • Go to Network & Internet > Proxy and ensure "Automatically detect settings" is enabled. Disable any configured proxies.
• Temporarily disconnect from your VPN (if using one) to see if downloads resume.

Step 7: Reinstall or Update Network Drivers​

• Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc).
• Expand Network Adapters and locate your network device.
• Right-click and select Update driver or uninstall and then reinstall the driver after restarting your machine.

Step 8: Factory Reset the Browser​

• Resetting the browser can remove any obscure settings causing download failures:
  • In Chrome/Edge: Settings → Reset Settings → Restore to Default Settings.

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3. Advanced Steps (If Still Broken)​

• Check Logs:
  • In Windows Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc), check logs under Windows Logs > System/Application for errors during the times downloads fail.
• Rule Out Malware:
  • Perform a full system scan with antivirus or antimalware tools (e.g., Malwarebytes).
• Test in Safe Mode:
  • Boot into Safe Mode with Networking to eliminate third-party background software interfering.

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4. Alternative Solutions​

• Download with Command Line Tools:
  • Use utilities like PowerShell’s Invoke-WebRequest or wget to manually download files and confirm whether the issue is browser-specific.
  • Example for PowerShell:
    
    Code:

    cmd Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://example.com/file.zip" -OutFile "C:\Temp\file.zip"

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Let me know how far you get with these steps or if you’re seeing any specific error messages when downloads fail, so I can provide further tailored advice!