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Windows Can't Communicate With The Device Or Resource (Primary DNS Server)

Today I faced a strange network issue on my laptop while trying to access the Internet. My laptop failed to go online and while checking the Network and Sharing Center there is a red cross symbol displayed between my computer and Internet icons. It means there is no connection between my computer adapter and the Internet. While running Network Diagnostics, Windows showed an error message Windows can't communicate with the device or resource (Primary DNS Server) with two options to click either Explore additional options or Close the troubleshooter. Screenshot of the error message is shown below.
Windows can't communicate with the device or resource

I opted to click Explore additional options to find if there any Windows remedy to the issue. The result was not much help.
Cannot Communicate to Primary DNS Server

So I decided to troubleshoot the issue by myself because the automatic Windows diagnostic tool failed to fix it.


Windows Can't Communicate With The Device Or Resource(Primary DNS Server)

By analyzing the error message, it is clear that my laptop is not online because of its failure to start communication with the Domain Name System configured on it. I have been using default ISP Domain Name System details on my laptop by choosing the option Obtain DNS server address automatically under TCP/IP properties. I have changed the option to use the DNS address added manually on my laptop. Soon after changing the option to use the Domain Name System address I have added (I used Open DNS address), the issue got resolved and my laptop started accessing the Internet. If you want to know how to change the default Domain Name System settings on your computer, visit the link below.
How to Manually Assign Domain Name System Address To Your Laptop in Different Ways

In case if you see this message on your laptop when you try to go online, I recommend you to follow the below procedure.
  1. Assign Google DNS or Open Domain Name System to your computer

  2. Reboot your computer

  3. Power Cycle your network. You can follow the instructions provided in the link below to perform it.
    How to Power Cycle a Home Network

  4. If the issue persists, follow the instructions in the link below.
    I Cannot Access Internet On My Computer

In many cases, the Domain Name System provided by user ISPs are slower or not so efficient. If your PC cannot contact the DNS server of your ISP, your computer will not be able to access the Internet if you type the domain name of a website on the browser. It is because Domain Name System is converting domain name of a website into the corresponding IP address. By changing the default Internet Service Provider's Domain Name System information to another reliable system, we can resolve the issue.

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Make a Computer As DMZ Host On BSNL Modem

If your computer is barred from accessing certain web applications due to NAT or Firewall restrictions, you can overcome it either by port forwarding or by converting your computer as DMZ host. DMZ stands for De-Militarized Zone and the PC assigned as DMZ host is out of modem/router firewall protection. BSNL modem has the feature to assign a device connected to it as DMZ host. For that, we must enter the IP address of the computer on BSNL modem to assign as De-Militarized Zone. Since BSNL modem treats the IP address as DMZ host, you must assign the same IP address as the static IP address of the device which you want to use as De-Militarized Zone. Procedure to place a PC in De-Militarized Zone for BSNL broadband modem is provided below.

Facing Slower Internet Speed?

DMZ Host Configuration In BSNL Modem
  1. Login to Modem

    By default, the login IP address is 192.168.1.1 and admin is the default username and password.

  2. Click on the Security tab


  3. Click on Virtual Server link

  4. Enter the static IP address you assigned to your PC as DMZ host address
    Use your computer as dmz host in bsnl Internet

You must enter the static IP address assigned to your computer as the De-Militarized Zone address in BSNL modem. Also, make sure the static IP address you have assigned to your PC is not in the IP range of the DHCP server. For example, if the DHCP range is 50 and the starting IP address is 192.168.1.2, it is safe to use an IP address from 192.168.1.52 onwards.

Benefits & Risks of Using a Computer As DMZ Host
If your computer is facing issues with accessing certain websites or playing online games when connected to BSNL modem in PPPoE mode, you can override the BSNL modem restrictions by converting your computer as DMZ host. Your PC is open to the Internet without any protection or restrictions from modem firewall security when it is DMZ host. It risky to use a laptop in De-Militarized Zone because it is no longer protected from external threats unless your laptop has separate firewall protection. So it is not very recommended use a device as DMZ unless you are a hardcore gamer or planning to use your computer as a web host. By installing a reputed firewall program on your computer, you can enable protection even if it is acting as in De-Militarized Zone.

Recommended Tutorials
  1. What is De-Militarized Zone and Its Use

  2. How to Assign Static IP Address From Command Prompt

  3. How to Configure Broadband On Teracom Modem in PPPoE Mode

  4. I Cannot Open Certain Websites Using BSNL Connection

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