Fix Wi-Fi Not Working in Windows: 12 Real Fixes

If your Windows PC can’t connect to Wi-Fi, the fix is usually one of a few simple steps: restart your router and PC, forget and rejoin the network, or run the built-in network troubleshooter. This guide walks through the most common causes and the exact fixes that work for Windows 10 and Windows 11, from quick resets to driver updates and advanced commands.

Why Wi-Fi Stops Working on Windows

Wi-Fi failures on Windows usually fall into one of five categories: a temporary glitch in the router or PC, a misconfigured network profile, an outdated or corrupted wireless driver, a Windows service that has stopped, or a physical issue like airplane mode being on or the Wi-Fi adapter being disabled. Less often, the problem is a recent Windows update that changed a setting, or a conflict with a VPN or third-party firewall. Understanding which category you’re in helps you pick the fastest fix—most people can skip straight to the restart and the troubleshooter before trying anything more technical.

Start With the Quick Fixes

Before diving into settings, try these three things in order. They resolve a surprising number of “Wi-Fi suddenly stopped” cases.

Restart everything. Turn off your PC, unplug your router and modem for 30 seconds, plug them back in, wait for the lights to stabilize, then boot your PC. This clears temporary IP address conflicts and router memory issues.
Toggle airplane mode. Press Win + A to open Quick Settings, click the airplane mode icon to turn it on, wait 5 seconds, then turn it off. This re-enables all wireless radios.
Turn Wi-Fi off and on. In the same Quick Settings panel, click the Wi-Fi icon to disable it, wait a few seconds, and enable it again. This forces Windows to re-scan for networks.

If none of those work, move on to the built-in troubleshooting tool, which often finds and fixes the problem automatically.

Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows includes a diagnostic tool that checks for common issues like a disabled adapter, invalid IP address, or DNS problems. To run it:

Open Settings (Win + I) and go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters (Windows 11) or Update & Security > Troubleshoot (Windows 10).
Find Internet Connections or Network Adapter and click Run.
Follow the prompts. If it finds an issue, it will often fix it automatically or tell you exactly what to do.

This tool is not a magic bullet, but it’s worth the two minutes because it can reset your network adapter or flush DNS without you having to touch a command prompt.

Forget and Rejoin the Network

Sometimes the saved Wi-Fi profile on your PC becomes corrupted—wrong password, changed security type, or a stale IP lease. Forgetting the network and reconnecting forces Windows to start fresh.

Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
Click Manage known networks.
Find your network name, click it, and select Forget.
Go back to the Wi-Fi list, click your network, enter the password again, and connect.

Make sure you have the correct password handy. If you’re not sure, check the sticker on your router or ask the person who set it up. This fix is especially effective after a router firmware update or a change to the router’s security settings.

Update or Reinstall the Wi-Fi Driver

An outdated, buggy, or corrupted driver is a leading cause of Wi-Fi issues, especially after a Windows feature update. Here’s how to check and fix it:

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters. Look for a device with “Wireless,” “Wi-Fi,” or “WLAN” in its name. If it has a yellow exclamation mark, that’s a problem.
Right-click the wireless adapter and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers. If Windows finds a new one, let it install.
If no update is found, right-click again and select Uninstall device. Check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device” if it appears, then click Uninstall. Restart your PC—Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

If that doesn’t work, visit your PC manufacturer’s support website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) and download the latest wireless driver for your exact model. Avoid third-party driver updater tools; they often install the wrong version or bundle unwanted software.

Check Windows Services and Network Reset

Windows relies on several background services for Wi-Fi. If one of them stopped, you’ll see “No connections available” even though the adapter is on. To check them:

Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Find WLAN AutoConfig. Double-click it, set Startup type to Automatic, and if it’s not running, click Start. Do the same for DHCP Client and DNS Client.
Restart your PC.

If services are fine but the problem persists, a full network reset is the next step. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. In Windows 10, it’s Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset. This removes all network adapters and reinstalls them, and resets every network setting to default. You’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and re-enter passwords afterward, so keep them handy. It’s a last resort before reinstalling Windows, but it fixes most stubborn issues.

Advanced Command-Line Fixes

If you’re comfortable with a command prompt, these commands can clear corrupted network settings that the GUI tools miss. Open Command Prompt as administrator (search “cmd,” right-click, and select “Run as administrator”) and run these one at a time:

ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew — gets a fresh IP address from your router.
ipconfig /flushdns — clears the DNS cache that may hold bad entries.
netsh winsock reset — resets the Windows network socket stack.
netsh int ip reset — resets the TCP/IP stack.

After running these, restart your PC. This is a common fix for “limited connectivity” or “no internet” errors where the Wi-Fi icon shows connected but pages won’t load.

Physical and Hardware Checks

Sometimes the problem isn’t Windows at all. Check these before assuming it’s a software issue:

Airplane mode — make sure it’s off, not just in Quick Settings but also via a physical key on some laptops (often F2 or a function key combo).
Wi-Fi switch — some older laptops have a physical side switch that disables the radio.
Adapter disabled — in Device Manager, right-click the wireless adapter and ensure it’s not “disabled.” If it is, select “Enable device.”
Router range — move closer to the router. Walls, metal objects, and appliances like microwaves can block the signal.
Other devices — if your phone also can’t connect, the problem is the router or internet service, not your PC.

If none of the software fixes work and other devices connect fine, your PC’s Wi-Fi adapter may be failing. A USB Wi-Fi dongle is a cheap way to test that theory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Wi-Fi show “connected, no internet” on Windows?

This usually means your PC has a valid IP address but can’t reach the internet. Try the command-line fixes above (especially ipconfig /flushdns and netsh winsock reset), then restart your router. If it only happens on one device, it’s likely a DNS or IP conflict.

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

Windows updates can overwrite or break drivers. Go to Device Manager, uninstall the wireless adapter, and restart. If that doesn’t work, check for a newer driver on your PC manufacturer’s site. You can also roll back the update via Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.

Why is my Wi-Fi adapter not showing up in Device Manager?

If the adapter is completely missing, it may be disabled in BIOS/UEFI, or the hardware is dead. Restart your PC and press the key to enter BIOS (usually F2, Del, or Esc). Look for a “Wireless” or “WLAN” option and make sure it’s enabled. If it is, try reseating the internal Wi-Fi card (on desktops) or using a USB adapter.

Will resetting Windows fix Wi-Fi issues?

Yes, a full reset or “reinstall Windows” option will fix almost any software-related Wi-Fi problem because it replaces all system files and drivers. But it’s a drastic step—try a network reset first, which is less invasive and often enough.

Can a VPN cause Wi-Fi to stop working?

Yes. VPN software installs virtual network adapters and can change routing tables. If Wi-Fi breaks after installing a VPN, uninstall it temporarily to test. Many VPNs also have a “kill switch” that blocks all traffic if the VPN drops—disable that feature if it’s causing issues.

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

This is often a power management setting. Open Device Manager, right-click your wireless adapter, go to Power Management, and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.” Also check your router’s channel settings—interference from neighbors can cause drops. Changing the router’s Wi-Fi channel to a less congested one often helps.

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

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