Disconnecting VPN disconnects my internet connection

Good day!

I recently got a new laptop at work with Windows 7 installed. I have Verizon DSL at home with a Westell 6100S modem. This problem only started with the new laptop with Windows 7. The previous laptop was XP. Here is the problem:

1. Connect with work VPN.
2. Do work, access internet, access work email, etc.
3. Disconnect VPN.
4. In a few seconds, I lose all internet connection. Every computer, tablet, mobile phone on my home network loses internet access. Not just my laptop.
5. After about 1-2 minutes, internet connection is reestablished and everything is hunky-dory.

This is very consistent. If I do it again right away...it will do the same thing.

I haven't been able to find any similar problem in any forums. Hoping someone here can help because I saw something close...but not quite.

Thanks!
GT

 

If your VPN is using the default gateway on the remote network it may be causing your disconnect. I am not sure exactly where in the connection properties its listed but it may be causing glitch in the default gateway assigned to your IP.

Its been a while so I could be having an alzheimer's moment.

Mitch

 

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to solve my problems. I still lose the internet connection when I disconnect from my VPN. I tried recreating a new VPN connection but without any different result.

 

Thanks for sticking with me Arie.

With the default gateway box checked, here is what happens:
Just my wireless connectiong, default gateway is 192.168.1.1
With VPN connected, 192.168.1.1
After disconnecting, 192.168.1.1
Interesting that when I "lose" the internet connection after disconnecting VPN, the IP addresses are still all assigned. They don't go away.

With the default gateway box unchecked, the results are the same. But I did notice that when I'm connected through VPN, I actually cannot access my company's servers (file or email). It says it is unauthenticated. Not sure if these are related problems or not.

Thoughts?

 

It seems that now with the box unchecked, it is NOT breaking my internet connection. But I'm sure it was doing it yesterday. Regardless, I still can't access my company servers when VPN is connected with the box unchecked. So I still have a problem.

 

I spoke too soon. It is still doing the disconnect from the internet after I disconnect the VPN. Regardless of whether the default gateway box is checked or unchecked.

 

I started with my IT department. They weren't very helpful. I'm still having the problem. I think it goes beyond a Windows problem because if I connect to my VPN thru one of my iMacs, the same problem occurs. I continue to investigate when I have time. If I ever solve it, I will post my solution.