How to Fix Wi-Fi Not Working on Windows 11 (2025 Guide)

In our hyper-connected world, a stable internet connection is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. So, when your Windows 11 computer suddenly refuses to connect to Wi-Fi, it can bring your productivity, entertainment, and communication to a grinding halt. Whether you’re seeing the dreaded “No Internet, secured” message, your Wi-Fi option has vanished entirely, or your connection keeps dropping, you’re not alone. Wi-Fi issues are one of the most common and frustrating problems Windows users face.

The good news is that most Wi-Fi problems on Windows 11 are solvable. The cause can range from a simple software glitch or a misconfigured setting to an outdated driver or a network conflict. This comprehensive guide will walk you through a systematic troubleshooting process, starting with the easiest fixes and progressing to more advanced solutions. You don’t need to be a tech expert to follow along; we’ll provide clear, step-by-step instructions to help you diagnose the issue and get back online.

This guide will cover everything you need to know, including:

• Initial basic checks to rule out simple problems.
• Using Windows 11’s built-in troubleshooters.
• Managing and updating your Wi-Fi drivers.
• Advanced network commands to reset your connection stack.
• When and how to perform a full Network Reset.
• Preventative tips to maintain a stable Wi-Fi connection.

First Steps: The Basic Troubleshooting Checklist

Before diving into complex settings, always start with the basics. These simple steps solve a surprising number of Wi-Fi issues and can save you a lot of time.

1. Restart Your Computer

It’s the oldest advice in the tech support handbook for a reason: it works. A simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches, clear out conflicting processes, and give your network adapter a fresh start. Before you do anything else, go to Start > Power > Restart.

2. Check Your Wi-Fi Router and Modem

The problem might not be with your computer at all.

• Power Cycle Your Network Gear: Unplug both your router and your modem from the power outlet. Wait about 60 seconds, then plug the modem back in first. Wait for all its lights to become stable (usually 1-2 minutes), then plug the router back in. Wait another few minutes for it to fully boot up.
• Check Other Devices: Try connecting to the Wi-Fi network with another device, like your smartphone or a different laptop. If that device can’t connect either, the issue is with your router or your Internet Service Provider (ISP), not your Windows 11 PC. In this case, contact your ISP.

3. Ensure Wi-Fi is Turned On

It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to accidentally disable Wi-Fi.

• Check the Quick Settings: Click the network icon in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar. A Quick Settings panel will appear. Make sure the Wi-Fi button is blue (enabled). If it’s gray, click it to turn it on.
• Check for a Physical Switch: Many laptops have a physical key or switch to enable/disable Wi-Fi. It’s often one of the function keys (e.g., F2, F5) marked with a wireless symbol. Make sure it hasn’t been accidentally turned off.
• Disable Airplane Mode: In the same Quick Settings panel, ensure that Airplane Mode is turned off. If it’s on, it will disable all wireless communications, including Wi-Fi.

Intermediate Fixes: Using Windows 11’s Tools

If the basics didn’t work, it’s time to let Windows 11 try to diagnose and fix the problem itself. The operating system comes with several powerful, automated tools designed for this purpose.

Method 1: Run the Network Troubleshooter

The Windows Network Troubleshooter is designed to automatically detect and fix common network problems.

1. Right-click the network icon on your taskbar and select Troubleshoot network problems.
2. Alternatively, go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
3. Click on Other troubleshooters.
4. Find Internet Connections and click the Run button next to it.
5. Windows will scan your system for issues. If it finds a problem, it will suggest a fix. Follow the on-screen prompts to apply the recommended solution.
6. If that doesn’t work, run the Network Adapter troubleshooter from the same menu.

Method 2: Forget and Reconnect to the Wi-Fi Network

Sometimes, the saved profile for your Wi-Fi network can become corrupted. Forgetting the network forces your computer to establish a completely new connection.

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
2. Click on Manage known networks.
3. Find your Wi-Fi network in the list, click the Forget button next to it.
4. Go back to the list of available Wi-Fi networks, select your network, click Connect, and re-enter the password.

Method 3: Update, Roll Back, or Reinstall Your Wi-Fi Driver

Your Wi-Fi adapter’s driver is the software that allows it to communicate with Windows. A faulty, outdated, or corrupted driver is one of the most common causes of Wi-Fi problems, especially after a Windows update.

1. Open Device Manager: Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager from the menu.
2. Find Your Network Adapter: Expand the Network adapters section. You should see your Wi-Fi adapter listed (it will often have “Wireless” or “Wi-Fi” in its name, e.g., “Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201”).

Option A: Update the Driver

1. Right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter and select Update driver.
2. Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows will attempt to find and install a newer driver.

Option B: Roll Back the Driver

If your Wi-Fi stopped working after a recent update, rolling back to the previous driver version might fix it.

1. Right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter and select Properties.
2. Go to the Driver tab.
3. If the Roll Back Driver button is clickable, select it and follow the prompts. If it’s grayed out, this option isn’t available.

Option C: Reinstall the Driver (The Most Effective Method)

This process removes the current driver completely and forces Windows to reinstall it from scratch, which can clear up deep-seated corruption.

Before you begin: As a precaution, it’s wise to download the latest Wi-Fi driver from your PC manufacturer’s website (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo) or the adapter manufacturer’s site (e.g., Intel, Realtek). Save it to your desktop. If Windows fails to reinstall it automatically, you can run this downloaded file manually.

1. In Device Manager, right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter and select Uninstall device.
2. In the confirmation pop-up, check the box that says Attempt to remove the driver for this device.
3. Click Uninstall.
4. After the driver is uninstalled, restart your computer.

During the restart, Windows will automatically detect the hardware and reinstall a fresh copy of the driver. This resolves a vast majority of driver-related Wi-Fi issues.

Advanced Solutions: Command-Line and Network Resets

If you’re still offline, it’s time for more powerful solutions that reset your computer’s networking components back to their default states. These commands look technical, but they are safe and easy to run.

Method 4: Reset Network Settings with Command Prompt

This series of commands will reset your computer’s TCP/IP stack, release and renew its IP address, and flush the DNS cache. This can resolve complex configuration and addressing conflicts.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Click the Start button, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt in the results, and select Run as administrator.
2. Run the Commands: Type each of the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each one. Wait for each command to complete before typing the next.

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

3. Restart Your PC: After running all the commands, close the Command Prompt and restart your computer. Check if your Wi-Fi is working.

Method 5: Change Your DNS Server

Sometimes your ISP’s DNS server can be slow or unresponsive, leading to the “No Internet” error even when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. Switching to a public DNS server like Google’s or Cloudflare’s can often fix this.

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
2. Click on Hardware properties.
3. Next to “DNS server assignment,” click the Edit button.
4. Change the setting from “Automatic (DHCP)” to Manual.
5. Turn on the IPv4 toggle.
6. In the “Preferred DNS” box, enter 8.8.8.8 (for Google) or 1.1.1.1 (for Cloudflare).
7. In the “Alternate DNS” box, enter 8.8.4.4 (for Google) or 1.0.0.1 (for Cloudflare).
8. Click Save and see if you can now access websites.

Method 6: Perform a Full Network Reset (The Last Resort)

If nothing else has worked, the Network Reset feature is your “nuclear option.” It will completely remove and then reinstall all of your network adapters and reset all networking components to their original settings.

Warning: This will erase all your saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, as well as any configured VPNs or virtual switches. You will have to set them up again.

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings.
2. Scroll down and click on Network reset.
3. You’ll see a warning about what this action will do. Click the Reset now button.
4. Confirm by clicking Yes.

Your computer will restart after about five minutes. Once it’s back on, you will need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and enter the password again. This is one of the most effective solutions for stubborn, software-related connectivity issues.

Preventative Measures and Good Habits

Fixing the problem is great, but preventing it from happening again is even better.

• Keep Windows Updated: Regularly check for and install Windows updates, as they often include crucial fixes for network-related bugs.
• Update Router Firmware: Periodically check your router manufacturer’s website for firmware updates. These can improve performance, security, and stability.
• Avoid Third-Party “PC Cleaner” Apps: Many of these apps can aggressively alter network settings or delete necessary files, causing more harm than good.
• Choose a Clear Wi-Fi Channel: If you live in a crowded area like an apartment building, your Wi-Fi signal may be competing with your neighbors’. Use a tool like “WiFi Analyzer” from the Microsoft Store to find the least congested channel and change it in your router’s settings.

Conclusion

Wi-Fi not working on Windows 11 is a deeply disruptive problem, but as you’ve seen, you have a powerful arsenal of tools and techniques to fight back. By working through these solutions logically—from a simple restart to a full network reset—you can systematically eliminate potential causes and find the one that gets you back online.

Most issues are resolved with basic troubleshooting or a driver reinstall. For the more persistent problems, advanced commands and the Network Reset feature provide a reliable path to a solution. Remember to always start with the simplest fix and work your way up.

What was the solution that finally fixed your Wi-Fi? Do you have another tip that we missed? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below—it might help someone else facing the same frustrating issue.