Fix Wi-Fi Not Working in Windows 11

If your Wi-Fi isn’t working on Windows 11, the fix usually involves restarting your network adapter, checking airplane mode, or running the built-in network troubleshooter. This guide walks you through the most effective solutions, from quick resets to deeper driver and command-line repairs.

Why Windows 11 Wi-Fi Fails

Windows 11 is built on the same networking core as Windows 10, but it introduces new driver models and stricter power management. Common causes of Wi-Fi failure include:

A hung network adapter after sleep or resume.
Outdated or corrupted Wi-Fi drivers.
Windows updates that changed network settings.
Airplane mode toggled on accidentally.
IP address conflicts or DNS cache corruption.
Router or modem issues (often misdiagnosed as a PC problem).

Before diving into complex fixes, always check if other devices can connect to the same network. If they also fail, the problem is likely your router or ISP, not your PC.

Quick Fixes to Try First

These steps take less than a minute and resolve a surprising number of Wi-Fi issues.

Toggle Airplane mode: Press Win + A to open Quick Settings, click the airplane icon to turn it on, wait 5 seconds, then turn it off.
Disable and re-enable Wi-Fi: In Quick Settings, click the Wi-Fi icon to turn it off, then on again.
Restart your PC: A full shutdown (not just sleep) clears most temporary network glitches.
Run the network troubleshooter: Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then click Run next to “Network and Internet.”
Forget and reconnect to the network: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, select your network, click Forget, then reconnect by entering the password again.

If these don’t work, move on to the more targeted fixes below.

Reset Your Network Adapter

Sometimes the Wi-Fi adapter simply gets stuck. Resetting it forces Windows to reload the driver and re-establish a connection.

Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter (it usually has “Wireless,” “Wi-Fi,” or “802.11” in the name) and select Disable device.
Wait 10 seconds, then right-click again and select Enable device.

If you don’t see a Wi-Fi adapter at all, it may be hidden. Click View > Show hidden devices in Device Manager to check. If the adapter is missing entirely, your Wi-Fi hardware may be off in the BIOS or faulty.

Update or Reinstall Wi-Fi Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers are a leading cause of Wi-Fi problems, especially after a major Windows 11 update.

Open Device Manager as above.
Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers. If Windows finds nothing, try the next step.
Right-click the adapter and select Uninstall device. Check the box “Delete the driver software for this device” if it appears, then click Uninstall.
Restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

If automatic driver search fails, visit your laptop or Wi-Fi card manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver for your exact model. Avoid third-party “driver updater” tools; they often install the wrong version or bundle unwanted software.

Run Network Commands in Command Prompt

Resetting the network stack via command-line tools can fix IP conflicts, corrupted DNS caches, and misconfigured TCP/IP settings.

Press Win + R, type cmd, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt as administrator.
Run these commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset

After the last command, restart your PC. These commands are safe and will not delete personal files. They reset your network configuration to a clean state, which often resolves stubborn Wi-Fi failures.

Check Power Management Settings

Windows 11 may turn off your Wi-Fi adapter to save power, which can cause disconnections or failure to reconnect after sleep.

Open Device Manager and find your Wi-Fi adapter.
Right-click it and select Properties.
Go to the Power Management tab.
Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
Click OK and restart your PC.

This is especially relevant for laptops, where aggressive power saving can interfere with Wi-Fi stability.

Advanced Fixes: Winsock Reset and Proxy Settings

If the basic commands didn’t work, try these additional steps.

Reset Winsock catalog: In an elevated Command Prompt, run netsh winsock reset catalog. This resets the Winsock catalog to a clean state and can fix issues caused by malware or corrupted network software.
Disable proxy: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy and turn off “Use a proxy server” if it’s on. A misconfigured proxy can block all internet traffic even when Wi-Fi shows connected.
Turn off IPv6: In Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > More network adapter options, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, select Properties, uncheck “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6),” and click OK. Some routers or ISPs have IPv6 issues that cause intermittent Wi-Fi failures.

When to Suspect Your Router or ISP

If your Wi-Fi works on other devices but not on your Windows 11 PC, the problem is almost certainly on the PC. But if all devices lose connection, the issue is upstream. Try rebooting your router and modem by unplugging them for 30 seconds, then plugging them back in. If the problem persists, contact your ISP.

Also, check if your PC connects to other Wi-Fi networks (e.g., a mobile hotspot). If it does, the problem is specific to your home network’s settings, such as a MAC address filter or a channel conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Wi-Fi show “No internet” but is connected?

This usually means your PC has an IP address but can’t reach the internet. Run ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew in Command Prompt, then flush DNS with ipconfig /flushdns. If that fails, restart your router. It can also be caused by a faulty DNS server; try changing your DNS to a public one like 8.8.8.8 in adapter settings.

How do I fix Wi-Fi after a Windows 11 update?

First, run the network troubleshooter. If that doesn’t help, uninstall the Wi-Fi driver in Device Manager and restart to let Windows reinstall it. If the update itself is buggy, you can roll back the driver under Driver > Roll Back Driver in the adapter’s properties, or uninstall the update via Settings > Windows Update > Update history.

My Wi-Fi adapter is missing from Device Manager. What now?

Check if the adapter is disabled in BIOS/UEFI. Restart your PC and press the key to enter setup (usually Del or F2). Look for “Wireless” or “Wi-Fi” in the integrated peripherals section and ensure it’s enabled. If it’s enabled but still missing, the hardware may be faulty.

Can a VPN cause Wi-Fi to stop working?

Yes, VPN software can interfere with network adapters. Try disconnecting from the VPN and see if Wi-Fi works. If it does, reinstall the VPN or use its built-in “kill switch” feature. Also, some VPNs install virtual adapters that can conflict; disabling them in Device Manager may help.

Should I use the “Network reset” option in Windows 11?

Yes, it’s a powerful last resort. Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Network reset and click Reset now. This removes and reinstalls all network adapters and sets network components back to defaults. You’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and re-enter passwords afterward.

Why does my Wi-Fi keep disconnecting every few minutes?

This is often caused by power management turning off the adapter, a weak signal, or router channel interference. Disable the power-saving option as described above, move closer to the router, and change your router’s Wi-Fi channel to a less congested one (e.g., from 6 to 11).

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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