How to Fix the “Specified Network Password Is Not Correct” Error on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Encountering the “Specified network password is not correct” error on Windows 11 can be frustrating and confusing. This message usually appears when you try to connect to a shared network resource or a mapped drive, but the system rejects your password. The good news is that there are several straightforward steps you can take to resolve this issue.

This guide will walk you through simple and effective solutions, starting from quick checks to more advanced fixes. Each step is explained clearly so that even beginners can follow along without trouble.

By the end of this article, you will understand why this error occurs and how to fix it, ensuring smooth access to your network resources.

Let’s begin with some quick preliminary checks before diving into the troubleshooting process.

Quick Note: Preliminary Checks

Verify your password: Make sure you are entering the correct network password. Sometimes typos or wrong capitalization cause this error.
Check your username: Confirm you are using the correct username, especially if accessing a domain or another computer.
Network connectivity: Ensure your PC is properly connected to the network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and can reach the target device.
Permissions: Confirm that you have permission to access the shared folder or drive on the remote device.

Step 1: Re-enter Your Network Credentials

The first and simplest step is to re-enter your network credentials carefully. Windows sometimes saves outdated or incorrect credentials, causing the error.

Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Type control keymgr.dll and press Enter to open Credential Manager.
In Credential Manager, click on Windows Credentials.
Find any saved credentials related to the network or computer you are trying to access.
Click on the credential and select Remove.
Close Credential Manager and try connecting to the network resource again. You will be prompted to enter your username and password.
Enter the correct username and password carefully and make sure to select Remember my credentials if you want Windows to save them.

Why this matters: Removing old or incorrect credentials forces Windows to ask for your password again, eliminating conflicts caused by stored wrong information.

Step 2: Use the Correct Username Format

Sometimes, the username format causes authentication issues. Windows expects specific formats depending on your network setup.

If you are connecting to a shared folder on another Windows PC, try entering your username as ComputerNameUsername. For example, DESKTOP01John.
If you are on a domain network, enter your username as DomainNameUsername.
You can also try using just the username without any prefix if other formats don’t work.

This helps Windows identify the correct account to authenticate against the remote system.

Step 3: Check and Synchronize Windows Credentials

Sometimes, stored credentials can become out of sync or corrupted. Resetting your stored credentials can help.

Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
Go to Accounts → Sign-in options.
Scroll down and click on Manage my Microsoft account to verify your account is active and synced.
Next, open Credential Manager (as explained in Step 1).
Remove any network-related credentials once again.
Restart your PC to clear any cached sessions.
Try reconnecting and enter your credentials fresh.

This step ensures that Windows credentials are properly synchronized with your current account status.

Step 4: Enable the “Allow Windows to Manage Homegroup Connections” Setting

Windows 11 sometimes restricts network sharing due to security settings. Enabling this option can resolve certain connectivity issues.

Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor. (Note: This is available only on Windows 11 Pro and above.)
Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > Lanman Workstation.
Find the policy named Enable insecure guest logons.
Double-click it and select Enabled, then click Apply and OK.
Restart your computer and try connecting again.

Note: This option reduces security slightly by allowing guest access, so enable it only if you trust your network.

Step 5: Check Network Profile and Sharing Settings

Incorrect network profile settings can block access to shared resources. Make sure your network is set as Private and sharing is enabled.

Open Settings → Network & Internet.
Click on your active network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
Under Network profile type, select Private.
Next, go to Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center.
Click on Change advanced sharing settings.
Under Private profile, ensure Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing are enabled.
Save changes and restart your PC.

Step 6: Reset Network Settings

If the problem persists, resetting your network settings can fix underlying issues with the network stack.

Open Settings → Network & Internet.
Scroll down and click on Advanced network settings.
Click on Network reset.
Click Reset now and confirm.
Your PC will restart, and network settings will return to default.
After reboot, try connecting again and enter your credentials when prompted.

Alternative Method: Use Command Prompt to Remove Cached Credentials

If Credential Manager does not help, you can manually clear cached credentials via Command Prompt.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
Type the following command and press Enter:
net use * /delete
This command deletes all mapped network drives and cached credentials.
Try reconnecting to the network resource and enter your credentials anew.

FAQs

Q: Why do I get this error even though my password is correct?

This error can occur if Windows has cached incorrect credentials or if the username format is wrong. Network or sharing settings may also block access.

Q: Can this error happen if my network is public?

Yes. If your network profile is set to Public, Windows restricts sharing for security reasons. Changing the profile to Private often fixes the issue.

Q: Does this error mean my password expired?

Not necessarily. However, if you use a domain account, expired passwords can cause authentication failures. Check with your network administrator if unsure.

Q: Can third-party firewall or antivirus cause this error?

Yes. Sometimes security software blocks network sharing. Temporarily disabling them can help identify if they cause the problem.

Q: Is there a way to reset just the network credentials?

Yes. Using Credential Manager to remove saved credentials or the net use * /delete command will reset your network authentication data.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and still face the “Specified network password is not correct” error, consider the following final options:

Check for Windows updates: Sometimes, bugs fixed in updates can resolve network issues.
Contact your network administrator: For domain or corporate networks, the issue might be with your account permissions or policies.
Reset the target device’s password: If accessing another PC, ensure its shared folder password or user account password is correct and not expired.
Use Microsoft’s official support: Visit Microsoft Support for more detailed help.

Conclusion

The “Specified network password is not correct” error on Windows 11 is a common but solvable issue. Most problems arise due to incorrect or outdated credentials, username format issues, or network configuration settings. By carefully following the step-by-step solutions outlined here, you can troubleshoot from the simplest fixes to more advanced settings without confusion.

Always start with verifying your password and clearing stored credentials, then move on to checking network profiles and sharing options. If problems persist, resetting network settings or consulting official support are reliable last resorts.

With patience and these clear instructions, you should be able to regain access to your network resources quickly and securely.