How to Allow a Program to Access the Internet or Local Network in Windows

Sometimes, programs or applications in Windows may be blocked from accessing the Internet or a local network. This can occur due to Windows firewall settings, antivirus software, or other network configurations. In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to allow a program access to the network in Windows.

Step 1: Open Windows Firewall Settings

By default, the Windows Firewall blocks certain connections to help secure your system. To adjust these settings:

  1. Open the Control Panel and go to System and Security.
  2. Select Windows Defender Firewall.
  3. On the left, choose Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.

Step 2: Grant Access in the Firewall

Once you’ve opened the list of allowed programs, you can add your program and grant it network access:

  1. Click on Change settings to unlock editing options.
  2. If your program isn’t listed, click Allow another app.
  3. Find the executable file for your program (usually with a .exe extension) and add it to the list.
  4. Ensure that the appropriate checkboxes are marked (such as Private and Public) to allow network access on the needed network types.

Step 3: Configure Antivirus Software

If you have third-party antivirus software installed, it might also be blocking the program’s network access. In this case:

  1. Open your antivirus software settings and look for a section related to network security or firewall.
  2. Add your program to the exceptions list (sometimes labeled as "trusted" or "allowed" apps).
  3. Save changes and restart the application to check if network access works as expected.

Step 4: Check Your Router Settings

Occasionally, network access might be restricted at the router level. To check this:

  1. Access your router settings by entering the IP address (usually something like 192.168.0.1) in your web browser.
  2. Log in using your username and password.
  3. Review security settings, such as parental controls or IP filtering, to ensure the program is not blocked at this level.

Step 5: Use Command Prompt to Reset Network Settings

If the problem persists, try resetting your network settings using the command prompt:

  1. Open the Command Prompt with administrator rights (right-click "Start" and select Command Prompt (Admin)).
  2. Type the following commands: netsh winsock reset and netsh int ip reset.
  3. Restart your computer.