How to Fix Wi-Fi Not Connecting on Windows 11

By Emily Watson Jul 1, 2026 7 min read Windows

Nothing is more frustrating than your Windows computer refusing to connect to Wi-Fi. Before you blame your router, try these fixes that solve most Wi-Fi connection problems.

Restart Everything

The simplest fix often works. Restart your computer, then restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. This clears temporary glitches on both devices.

Forget and Reconnect to the Network

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks. Select your network and click Forget. Then reconnect by selecting the network again and entering your password.

Run the Network Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in network troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and run Network Adapter and Internet Connections troubleshooters. These can automatically detect and fix problems.

Update Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupted network drivers are a common cause of Wi-Fi issues. Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

Reset the TCP/IP Stack

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run: netsh int ip reset followed by netsh winsock reset. Then restart your computer. This resets the network configuration and fixes many connection problems.

Disable and Re-enable the Wi-Fi Adapter

In Network Settings, click Advanced network settings, find your Wi-Fi adapter, click Disable, wait a few seconds, then click Enable. This forces the adapter to restart and re-establish the connection.