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How to Fix Windows 11 WiFi Not Working: Effective Troubleshooting Steps

WiFi issues on Windows 11 can be frustrating, especially when you need a stable internet connection for work or entertainment. Fortunately, many common problems have simple fixes that you can try yourself. This guide will help you troubleshoot your WiFi step-by-step.

Whether your WiFi isn’t connecting, disconnects frequently, or is slow, these methods will cover the basics first and then move to more advanced options. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to follow along.

Each step includes an explanation of why it is important, so you understand what’s happening behind the scenes. This helps prevent confusion and makes troubleshooting easier.

By the end of this article, you should be able to identify and fix the most common causes of WiFi not working on Windows 11.

Quick Note Before You Start

Before diving into troubleshooting, make sure to check a few basics:

  • Check your WiFi router: Ensure it is powered on and working correctly. Restarting your router can fix many connectivity problems.
  • Confirm Airplane Mode is off: Sometimes, turning on Airplane Mode disables all wireless connections.
  • Check WiFi is enabled: On Windows 11, WiFi may be accidentally turned off.
  • Ensure you have the correct WiFi password: Incorrect passwords will prevent connection.

Step 1: Restart Your Computer and Router

Sometimes, temporary glitches cause WiFi problems. Restarting both your computer and router refreshes the network connection and clears minor software issues.

  1. Turn off your computer.
  2. Unplug your router’s power cable and wait for about 30 seconds.
  3. Plug the router back in and wait for all lights to stabilize.
  4. Turn your computer back on and try connecting to WiFi again.

This simple step often resolves connectivity issues by resetting the network environment.

Step 2: Check Airplane Mode and WiFi Settings

Windows 11 has an Airplane Mode that disables all wireless communications. Sometimes, this mode is accidentally enabled.

  1. Click the network icon on the taskbar (usually in the bottom-right corner).
  2. Look for the Airplane Mode toggle and make sure it is turned off.
  3. Also, ensure WiFi is turned on in the same menu.

If WiFi is off, toggle it on to enable wireless networking.

Step 3: Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows has built-in tools to diagnose and fix common network problems automatically.

  1. Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
  2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  3. Find Network Adapter and click Run.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to detect and fix issues.

This tool can detect driver problems, incorrect settings, or connectivity issues and attempt to fix them without manual intervention.

Step 4: Update or Reinstall WiFi Drivers

WiFi drivers are software that allow Windows to communicate with your wireless hardware. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause connection problems.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Network adapters section.
  3. Right-click your WiFi adapter and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow prompts.
  5. If updating doesn’t work, right-click the adapter and select Uninstall device. Then restart your PC to reinstall the driver automatically.

Keeping drivers up to date ensures compatibility with Windows updates and fixes bugs that may cause WiFi to fail.

Step 5: Forget and Reconnect to the WiFi Network

Sometimes, saved WiFi profiles can become corrupted or outdated. Removing and reconnecting can fix authentication errors.

  1. Open Settings and go to Network > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
  2. Find your network in the list and click Forget.
  3. Now, click the WiFi icon on the taskbar, select your network, and enter the password again.

This refreshes your connection and clears stored settings that might interfere with connectivity.

Step 6: Reset Network Settings

If the above steps don’t work, resetting network settings can fix deeper configuration issues.

  1. Go to Settings > Network > Advanced network settings.
  2. Scroll down and click Network reset.
  3. Click Reset now and confirm.
  4. Your PC will restart and all network adapters will be reset to default.

Note that this will remove all saved WiFi networks, VPN connections, and Ethernet settings, so you will need to reconnect to WiFi networks again.

Step 7: Check for Windows Updates

Sometimes, Microsoft releases patches that fix network-related bugs.

  1. Open Settings and go to Windows Update.
  2. Click Check for updates.
  3. Download and install any available updates.
  4. Restart your PC after updating.

Keeping Windows up to date ensures your system has the latest improvements and bug fixes.

Alternative and Advanced Options

Manually Set DNS Servers

Sometimes, DNS issues can cause slow or no connectivity. Changing to public DNS servers can help.

  1. Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center.
  2. Click your WiFi connection, then click Properties.
  3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
  4. Choose Use the following DNS server addresses.
  5. Enter 8.8.8.8 for Preferred DNS and 8.8.4.4 for Alternate DNS (Google DNS servers).
  6. Click OK and close all windows.

Use Command Prompt to Reset Network Components

Running some commands can clear network cache and renew your IP settings.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (search “cmd”, right-click, and choose “Run as administrator”).
  2. Type these commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

Restart your computer after running these commands for changes to take effect.

FAQs

Why won’t my Windows 11 connect to WiFi but other devices can?

This usually means the problem is with your PC’s settings or drivers. Try restarting your device, running the network troubleshooter, and updating drivers.

How do I know if my WiFi adapter is working?

Check Device Manager under Network adapters. If there is a yellow exclamation mark, your adapter might be malfunctioning or missing drivers.

Can a Windows update cause WiFi problems?

Yes, sometimes updates can trigger new bugs. If you noticed WiFi issues right after an update, try uninstalling recent updates or checking for new patches.

What if my WiFi disconnects randomly?

Interference, driver issues, or power-saving settings might cause this. Make sure your driver is updated and disable WiFi power-saving options in Device Manager.

How do I reset my network without losing files?

Network reset only affects network settings and adapters. Your personal files and documents remain safe.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and still face WiFi issues, consider the following:

  • Contact your internet service provider (ISP): The problem might be with your internet connection or router.
  • Use an external USB WiFi adapter: Your internal WiFi hardware might be faulty.
  • Visit the official Microsoft support page: Fix network connection issues in Windows 11
  • Reset or reinstall Windows 11: As a last resort, reinstalling Windows can fix deep system issues but should be done with backups.

Conclusion

WiFi problems on Windows 11 are common but usually fixable with straightforward steps. Starting with simple restarts and checking settings often solves the issue quickly. Using built-in troubleshooters and updating drivers can address most software-related problems.

More advanced steps like resetting network settings or manually changing DNS servers help when basic fixes fail. Always ensure your system and drivers are updated for the best performance.

With patience and following this guide, you can restore your WiFi connection without needing professional help in most cases.

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