Browser keeps stopping, but computer tells me internet connection is fine.

[yesthatone]

I keep losing the ability to browse the internet. Every time I turn my computer on it'll work fine for a bit, and then at some random point I lose the ability to use my browser. I read as connected to the internet, but can't browse. I can play games online, and am able to use Steam chat, but can't download things. When I run the troubleshooter on my internet connection it comes back with this: "website (www.microsoft.com) is online but isn't responding to connection attempts".

Restarting my computer is the only thing that seems to fix this problem. I have a Lenovo Ideapad running Windows 8. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[basroil]

Sounds like your firewall is acting up. What Anti-virus software are you using?

 

[yesthatone]

Avast. The free version.

 

[basroil]

Avast. The free version.

Uninstall it for now, and see if the websites work again.