Wi-Fi Not Working in Windows 11? Fix It Now

If your Windows 11 PC can’t connect to Wi‑Fi, you’re not alone. This guide walks you through the most common fixes, from simple restarts to advanced network resets, so you can get back online quickly. No special tools are needed—just a few minutes and access to your router if required.

What You’ll Need

Your Windows 11 PC or laptop
Administrator access (to run some commands)
Your Wi‑Fi network name (SSID) and password
Optional: access to your router’s power cord (for a full restart)

Step-by-Step

Turn on Wi‑Fi – Click the network icon in the taskbar (bottom right). Make sure the Wi‑Fi button is blue (enabled). If it’s gray, click it to turn it on.
Check Airplane mode – In the same panel, ensure Airplane mode is off. If it’s on, click it to disable it.
Restart your PC – Click Start, then the Power icon, and choose Restart. This clears temporary glitches.
Forget and reconnect to the network – Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi‑Fi > Manage known networks. Select your network, click Forget, then reconnect by selecting it from the list and entering the password.
Run the network troubleshooter – Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find “Network and Internet” and click Run. Follow the prompts.
Update the Wi‑Fi driver – Right-click Start, select Device Manager, expand “Network adapters,” right-click your Wi‑Fi adapter, choose Update driver, then “Search automatically for drivers.” If Windows finds nothing, visit your PC manufacturer’s support site for the latest driver.
Reinstall the Wi‑Fi driver – In Device Manager, right-click the adapter and choose Uninstall device (check “Delete the driver software” if offered). Then restart your PC—Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.
Restart your router and modem – Unplug both devices, wait 30 seconds, plug the modem back in, wait for it to fully boot, then plug in the router. Wait a few minutes for lights to stabilize, then try connecting.
Run network commands – Open Command Prompt as administrator (right-click Start > Terminal (Admin)). Type these one by one, pressing Enter after each:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
Then restart your PC.
Reset network settings – Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. Click “Reset now” and confirm. Your PC will restart and reinstall network adapters. You’ll need to reconnect to Wi‑Fi afterward.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the restart – Many issues are temporary and a simple restart fixes them. Don’t jump to advanced steps first.
Forgetting the password – After a reset, you’ll need the correct Wi‑Fi password. Check your router’s label or ask the person who set it up.
Using the wrong driver – Downloading drivers from random sites can cause more problems. Always use the manufacturer’s official site or Windows Update.
Not checking physical switches – Some laptops have a physical Wi‑Fi switch or function key (like F2) that can be turned off accidentally.
Ignoring interference – Walls, microwaves, and other electronics can weaken signals. Move closer to the router to test.

Tips

Use the 5 GHz band if possible – It’s faster and less congested, but has shorter range. If your router supports it, try connecting to the “5G” network name.
Keep Windows updated – Go to Settings > Windows Update and install all pending updates. They often include driver fixes.
Set a static IP (advanced) – If you keep getting “no internet” but are connected, try setting a manual IP address in the adapter’s IPv4 properties. Use an IP like 192.168.1.50, subnet 255.255.255.0, and your router’s IP (e.g., 192.168.1.1) as gateway.
Use a USB Wi‑Fi adapter – If the built‑in adapter is faulty, a cheap USB adapter can get you online while you fix the internal one.

Troubleshooting

If the steps above don’t work, try these additional checks:

Check if other devices connect – If your phone can’t connect either, the problem is with the router or ISP, not your PC.
Check the router’s admin page – Log in to your router (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and see if the Wi‑Fi is enabled and broadcasting. Look for “Wireless” settings.
Try a wired connection – Plug an Ethernet cable from the router to your PC. If that works, the Wi‑Fi adapter is likely the issue.
Check for Windows updates – Sometimes a pending update causes network problems. Install all updates and restart.
Use System Restore – If the problem started recently, restore your PC to a point before it began. Search for “Create a restore point” and follow the prompts.
Check the adapter’s properties – In Device Manager, right-click the adapter, go to Properties, and under the Power Management tab, uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
Contact your ISP – If the router lights show no internet, there may be an outage. Call your provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Wi‑Fi say “No internet, secured”?

This usually means your PC is connected to the router but the router can’t reach the internet. Restart your modem and router. If that fails, check with your ISP.

How do I fix Wi‑Fi not connecting after a Windows update?

Roll back the update by going to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. Also update your Wi‑Fi driver from the manufacturer’s site.

What does “Network reset” do?

It removes and reinstalls all network adapters and resets network settings to defaults. You’ll need to reconnect to Wi‑Fi and re‑enter passwords.

Why is my Wi‑Fi adapter missing from Device Manager?

It may be disabled. In Device Manager, click View > Show hidden devices. If you see it, right‑click and enable. If not, the hardware may be faulty—try a USB adapter.

Can I use Command Prompt to fix Wi‑Fi?

Yes, the netsh commands listed in Step 9 can reset network stacks. They’re safe and often solve connectivity issues.

Is it safe to reset my network settings?

Yes, it’s a standard Windows feature. It won’t delete personal files, but you’ll need to reconnect to Wi‑Fi and possibly re‑enter VPN or static IP settings.

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

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