How to Reset Network Settings on Windows 11
Bit frustrating, isn’t it? If your internet keeps acting up — sluggish speeds, frequent disconnects, or strange network errors — it might be time for a full network reset. Think of this as a bit of a nuclear option, because it wipes all network-related settings from your system. That includes your saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN configurations, Bluetooth pairings, and some firewall rules. So, if you’re not happy with losing all that temporarily, it’s a good idea to back up your info first. But if nothing else has worked, this could be the fix you need.
Preparing to Reset
First things first, understand that this process will clear nearly all network settings. If you’ve got important Wi-Fi passwords saved or customised firewall rules—or any special network configurations—you’ll need to set them up again afterwards. This reset is often effective for stubborn internet issues, slow Wi-Fi, or if your network hardware is just not behaving properly. I’ve seen it fix Ethernet dropouts and VPN hiccups, so it’s worth a try.
Using Windows Settings to Reset
The simplest method is through Windows Settings, but it’s a bit of a manoeuvre. Hit the Windows key to open the Start menu. From there, press I to open Settings quickly. Navigating can sometimes be tricky, but here’s the path to get to the reset.
Click on Network & Internet. Sometimes you need to click around a bit because the menu labels vary or are tucked away, but eventually, you’ll find it. Then scroll down and select Advanced network settings. That’s where the magic happens. On older or OEM systems, this might be hidden under something like Network and Sharing Center or within Troubleshoot options. In Windows 11, there’s often a quick link called Network reset. If it’s not visible, don’t worry.
Look for the Network reset link. Clicking it will show a Reset now button. Click that, then confirm by pressing Yes. It might feel a bit like jumping into the deep end, especially if you’ve configured a lot of settings, but it’s the fastest way to wipe out persistent network gremlins. If you can’t spot it, you can type ms-settings:network-reset into the Run dialog (Win + R) or your address bar, and it’ll take you directly there.
Once you click reset, your PC will shut down and restart automatically. This can be a bit unsettling — be prepared for a few minutes of waiting. In many cases, this clears up the nastiest connectivity bugs that just won’t go away. And remember, that command ms-settings:network-reset shortcut makes the process quick if you don’t want to hunt through menus next time.
Using Command Line (PowerShell or Terminal)
If you prefer working with scripts or don’t want to navigate menus, a command-line approach does the trick. Just bear in mind—you’ll need administrator privileges. Hit the Start menu, search for Terminal, then right-click and choose Run as administrator. The same goes for PowerShell—look for Windows PowerShell (Admin). Without admin rights, these commands might not work properly.
In the terminal, type:
netsh int ip resetThis resets your TCP/IP stack, often at the root of tricky network issues. You might also want to run:
netsh winsock reset— clears the Winsock catalog, fixing socket layer problemsipconfig /releaseandipconfig /renew— refresh your IP address
If your Wi-Fi profiles are acting up, you can remove a specific one with:
netsh wlan delete profile name="ProfileName"Replace “ProfileName” with the name of your Wi-Fi network. After doing all this, it’s a good idea to restart your PC. You can type:
shutdown /r /t 0or simply restart via the Start menu. Sometimes, residual issues from these commands are cleared with a reboot, so it’s worth doing.
Extra Tips and Things to Watch Out For
Keep in mind, a network reset is a bit of a sledgehammer—use it wisely. If your network adapters aren’t appearing in Device Manager or are grayed out, check your BIOS or UEFI settings. On some machines, onboard LAN or Wi-Fi can be disabled at the BIOS level—look for options labelled Onboard LAN, Network Interface Controller, or similar, tucked away under menus like Advanced or Integrated Peripherals. On my old ASUS laptop, I had to dig deep to find it. A BIOS update or reset can sometimes resolve hardware recognition issues.
Also, note that resetting network settings may temporarily disable VPNs or custom firewall rules—you’ll need to reconfigure those afterwards. It’s also a good idea to check for driver updates by going to Device Manager > Network adapters, right-click your device, and select Update driver.
In the end, this process is straightforward but not a miracle cure. If your hardware or drivers have failed or BIOS settings are turned off, a reset won’t fix those issues. Sometimes a quick reboot or toggling the physical Wi-Fi switch can resolve problems faster than a full reset. But when nothing else works, resetting network settings gives you a fresh start for troubleshooting.
I hope this helps — took me ages to figure it all out. Double-check your network adapters in Device Manager and BIOS, and you should be right. Good luck — and here’s hoping this saves someone a whole weekend of head-scratching!