Just to rule out it’s related to some installed app, did you try to start in safemode?
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First, I am back online finally.
With anything I desired (F-Droid working and updated, Orbot installed, new browser…).
Yesterday I was so desperate to make an appointment with a Telekom technician for today.
This morning I tried “Safe mode” but had no Internet either, same DNS_PROBE_POSSIBLE-thing in Brave, no F-Droid working (empty news (“No installations for three weeks”), empty categories.
Switching back to normal mode there were some issues, as you might expect.
So, I had to fumble with settings, got my Launcher right, found some contradictory ones (e.g., a VPN-setting that said, it required Orbot, which was not available) and the like.
After this I pocketed the FP3 and headed for my appointment at Telekoms.
In the metro I realized F-Droid downloading package sources, which lasted a bit as there was about some time to cover. Then it presented itself the way it had been at the beginning: Lists of software instead of empty pages.
The appointment was quite disappointing, the man was unable to help out, had seemingly no idea what a DNS does and how to check it. Anyway he tried to sell me things I don’t need.
Since F-Droid was back online I started downloading Firefox Nightly, just to check.
Installed it, called it and - guess what? - it worked.
Now I got bold, downloaded Orbot, ordered any app to connect through its VPN, gave it a fresh start, and all is still working as intended.
Looks to me like there had been some setting conflict, sadly I can’t say which one it might have been. There were quite a few after restart…
In any way the road via Safe mode solved it somehow, maybe the basic inconsistency got exposed.
So, I give you “solution” credits.
Still I wonder whether there is a structurized way to check for dependencies of DNS.
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Please to hear it resolved for you. I too would like to see a way to
check for DNS methodically
but many other things are involved! For instance, on a quite different subject, Problems Sending/Receiving MMS and Group Messages - #37 by marcdw.
Proposal: [Getting started] DNS
This post is editable, anyone please feel free to contribute. As I understand it so far … starting from Settings > Network and Internet > DNS … I see these options …
1. Use network DNS
2. Use a chosen DNS provider
3. Set your chosen DNS provider.
… as I understand it 9.9.9.9 is pre selected by /e/ if you opt out of “Use network DNS”. … but it might be useful to see this post edited and expanded by others with experience! (Thanks + kudos @smu44 for additions.)
Known hazards and workarounds
Please be aware that some filtering tools (i.e. TrackerControl) will require to deactivate Private DNS.
As I understand it … Your choice of DNS has to be able to cooperate with your mobile data carrier, your home isp, your home router, any combination of the above if working though any outside or “unknown” network, any app you are using.
You could validate your config against some online tools,try Router Security | Test Your DNS Servers.
Encrypt your DNS queries on /e/OS system-wide
Question and answer
Q. Is it a good starting point to " Use network DNS" for say 24 hours at first install to see if all works ok?
A. (proposal #1 by @smu44) : yes, some weird operators won’t allow some operations if not using their DNS.
Q. Is 9.9.9.9 the right choice for me?
- a) https://www.quad9.net/support/faq/
- b) 9.9.9.9 is a good choice, but you may prefer 9.9.9.11 or 9.9.9.10. More info at https://www.quad9.net/service/service-addresses-and-features.
Q. At “First run Wizard” does the user Select or will “Use network DNS” or “Preset 9.9.9.9” be used, without user intervention?
Q. I want to disable Private DNS, but setting is missing. How can I ?
A. Please see https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/backlog/-/issues/3680#note_115840
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Very nice post @aibd ! 
It would deserve a dedicated thread 
PS : sorry for the quick’n’dirty edit, please feel free to make it better
PS2 : just found Encrypt your DNS queries on /e/OS system-wide
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