WiFi problems on Windows 11 can be really annoying, especially when they crop up unexpectedly after updates or just refuse to work out of nowhere. Sometimes, it’s just a minor glitch—like the network adapter throwing a tantrum—or it could be something deeper like driver issues. Figuring out exactly what’s causing the WiFi to be stubborn often involves trying a few different tricks. The good news is, most of these fixes are pretty straightforward, and one of them might just get that connection back up and running without too much fuss. Hopefully, one of these methods works for your setup, whether it’s a minor hiccup or a more persistent glitch. Let’s dig into some tried-and-true ways to fix WiFi on Windows 11 that won’t connect or just keeps dropping out.
How to Fix WiFi Not Working on Windows 11
Check Your WiFi Connection and Settings
First off, it’s worth making sure your WiFi isn’t just turned off or disconnected. This sounds obvious, but sometimes the simplest things get missed. Double-check if your WiFi toggle (on your laptop or the right-click menu in the taskbar) is enabled, and your airplane mode isn’t accidentally on. Also, look in Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi to see if it shows as connected to the right network. If you see that it’s connected but no internet, try disconnecting and reconnecting — maybe even forget the network and rejoin, especially if you see a “Limited Access” warning.
On some setups, a quick toggle of airplane mode or disabling and re-enabling WiFi in settings can fix weird glitches for no obvious reason. If that didn’t help, move on to the next step.
Restart Your PC
Yep, a simple restart can sometimes work miracles. It refreshes the network stack and clears occasional glitches stuck in the system. On Windows 11, it’s quick — just hit Win + X and select Restart. Might seem dull, but it’s often the first thing to try. Sometimes, on certain hardware, Windows needs a restart to properly reinitialize the network drivers, especially if you recently installed updates or rolled back driver versions. It’s kinda weird, but it’s worth a shot before diving into more tech stuff.
Power Cycle Your Router
If your PC’s WiFi appears okay but still refuses to connect, the router might be the culprit. Routers can get overwhelmed or cache some weird bugs. Power cycling means turning it off, unplugging all cables, waiting around 30-40 seconds (sometimes longer if you’re feeling patient), and plugging everything back in. Then turn it on and wait for it to fully reboot. Sometimes, this simple step clears up tech glitches that Windows itself can’t fix. Reported by lots of folks, this fix is pretty reliable, especially if internet was working fine earlier.
Reset the Network Adapter
If your WiFi adapter’s got a bad day, resetting it can help. It’s kind of like hitting refresh on the network settings. Head over to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings and find the option for Network reset. Clicking that will typically remove and reinstall your network adapters, giving a clean slate.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Navigate to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings.
- Scroll down to Network reset and click it.
- Hit Reset now, confirm, and reboot your PC.
Note: After doing this, expect your PC to temporarily disconnect from all networks, so make sure you remember your WiFi password. It’s a bit of a nuclear option but works surprisingly well on stubborn issues.
Update Your Network Drivers
Driver glitches are a common reason for WiFi failures. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause all sorts of issues, from no connection to frequent drops. To check for updates, press Win + X and select Device Manager. Then, expand Network Adapters, find your WiFi device (it might say “Wi-Fi” or something similar), right-click, and choose Update Driver.
You can choose to search automatically for updated drivers or visit your manufacturer’s site if you want the latest beta drivers. Sometimes, the default Windows update might not find the latest version, so heading to the vendor’s support page (like Intel, Realtek, or Broadcom) can help. On some machines, driver updates don’t install automatically on the first try — especially if your device is quirky or legacy hardware. If updating doesn’t work, consider downloading and installing a driver manually from the vendor’s website.
Change DNS Settings
Sometimes, DNS issues cause the WiFi connection to just hang or say “no internet, ” even if you’re connected to WiFi. Resetting or changing DNS servers can fix that. Open Command Prompt as administrator: press Win + S and type “cmd, ” then right-click and choose Run as administrator. Here are some commands to reset DNS:
netsh winsock reset ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew netsh int ip reset ipconfig /flushdnsAfter running those, restart your PC and see if that restores your internet connection. Sometimes Windows gets confused about DNS caching or the network stack, and these commands help clear the junk.
Disable and Re-enable the WiFi Adapter
Disabling and enabling the network adapter can often kick-start your WiFi if it’s stuck. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings again—or even easier, right-click the WiFi icon in the taskbar, select Open Network & Internet Settings, then click on Change Adapter Options. Find your WiFi adapter, right-click, and choose Disable. Wait a few seconds, then right-click again and select Enable. Sometimes, this clears out minor glitches that prevent proper connection.
Disable Metered Connection
If your WiFi is set as a Metered Connection, Windows might restrict some data and prevent connection issues, especially on limited plans. To check, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi, then select your connected network. If you see the toggle for Metered connection turned on, switch it off. This simple setting tweak can sometimes unblock your internet, especially if Windows thinks you’re on a limited plan.
Run the Built-in Internet Troubleshooter
Windows 11 has a handy troubleshooter that can spot common network problems. To run it, open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find Network & Internet, click Run, and follow on-screen instructions. It scans for issues, and if it finds something fixable, it’ll do it for you—no need to mess around in command line most of the time. Works surprisingly well on many occasions.
Reinstall the WiFi Driver
If driver updates didn’t help, trying a complete reinstall can sometimes knock down stubborn problems. Open Device Manager, expand Network Adapters, right-click your WiFi device, and pick Uninstall device. Confirm, then restart your PC. Windows will typically reinstall the driver automatically, and that fresh driver might just resolve the issue where the old, corrupted one failed.
Wrap-up & Summary
That’s pretty much the lineup of tricks worth trying if your WiFi on Windows 11 is on the fritz. Sometimes, it’s just a quick toggle or restart needed, and other times you might need to update drivers or reset network settings. The key is patience and trying methodically so you don’t miss anything obvious or simple. And because Windows can be a bit fussy, not every fix works on every machine—some need a mix and match approach.
Summary
- Check WiFi connection and toggle settings
- Restart PC and router
- Reset network adapter
- Update drivers manually or automatically
- Change DNS settings
- Disable/re-enable WiFi adapter
- Disable metered connection if enabled
- Run Windows troubleshooting tool
- Reinstall WiFi driver if needed
Wrap-up
Dealing with flaky WiFi in Windows 11 can be a pain, but most of these fixes are common sense and don’t require deep technical skills. It’s kinda frustrating when things break after updates, but luckily, many issues are fixable by restart, driver updates, or resetting settings. Fingers crossed, one of these tricks will get that internet back fast. If not, it might be worth looking at hardware issues or contacting support, but hopefully, not needed.