I ran a rootkit scan. Nothing. Malwarebytes: clean. System file checker: no integrity violations. So it wasn't a virus. It was something stranger.
: Software updates or abrupt shutdowns can sometimes corrupt firewall rule databases, leading the system to block all traffic as a safety measure. why is my firewall blocking everything
Why Is My Firewall Blocking Everything? It’s one of the most frustrating "tech walls" you can hit: you’re connected to the internet, your hardware is fine, but suddenly nothing—no websites, no email, no Slack—can get through. If your firewall has gone from a security guard to a total shutdown specialist, you aren't alone. I ran a rootkit scan