WiFi Not Working on Windows 11? Troubleshoot Wi‑Fi Connectivity Issues (Updated 2026)

WiFi connectivity problems on Windows 11 can be frustrating, especially when you suddenly lose internet while working, streaming, or gaming. You might notice WiFi disconnecting frequently, WiFi connected but no internet, or the WiFi network not showing up at all after a recent Windows update. Some users also report WiFi Not Working after Windows 11 update. The connection stays on, but the speed is extremely slow, or the signal is weak, even when everything was working fine before.

Microsoft describes the WiFi issues on Windows 11 usually occur due to incorrect network settings, outdated or corrupted WiFi drivers, temporary system glitches, or conflicts caused by recent Windows updates. Sometimes the problem isn’t in your PC at all but in the router, modem, or ISP.

However, most of these issues can be fixed using built-in tools and simple troubleshooting steps. Here is how to diagnose and fix Wi-Fi problems and restore a stable connection on Windows 11

Quick Fix (Try This First – Works for Most Users)

Before diving into specific WiFi problems, try these quick fixes. These simple steps often resolve temporary network glitches and restore your internet connection in just a few minutes.

• Restart Your PC and WiFi Router: Turn off your computer and unplug your WiFi router for about 30 seconds. Then, power everything back on. This clears temporary bugs and refreshes your network connection.
• Turn WiFi Off and On Again: Click the WiFi icon in the taskbar, turn it off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. This can fix minor connectivity issues.
• Toggle Airplane Mode: Enable Airplane mode for 10–15 seconds, then turn it off. This resets all wireless connections on your device.
• Forget and Reconnect to the WiFi Network: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → Manage known networks, select your network, and click Forget. Then reconnect by entering the password again.
• Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter: Open Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters, then run the Network and Internet troubleshooter. Windows will automatically detect and fix common issues.

If these quick fixes didn’t solve your problem, find your exact WiFi issue below and follow the targeted solutions.

Wi-Fi Network Not Showing Up on Windows 11

If your WiFi network is not showing up on Windows 11, you won’t be able to connect to the internet. This usually happens when your PC fails to detect nearby networks or the WiFi adapter isn’t working properly. In many cases, the issue appears after a Windows update, a driver problem, or incorrect network settings.

Possible Causes:

• WiFi is turned off, or Airplane mode is enabled
• WiFi adapter is disabled
• Outdated or corrupted WiFi driver
• Windows service (WLAN AutoConfig) is not running
• Router issue or network not broadcasting
• Temporary system glitch after update

Quick Solutions:

• Turn WiFi ON & disable Airplane mode: Click the WiFi icon in the taskbar and make sure WiFi is turned on. Also, check that Airplane mode is off, as it disables all wireless connections.
• Restart your PC and router: Turn off your computer and unplug your WiFi router for about 30 seconds. Then turn both back on. This helps fix temporary network glitches.
• Enable WiFi adapter: Press Windows + X → Device Manager → Network adapters. Right-click your WiFi adapter and click Enable device if it’s disabled.
• Update or reinstall WiFi driver: In Device Manager, right-click your WiFi adapter and select Update driver → Search automatically. If the issue continues, choose Uninstall device, then restart your PC to reinstall it.
• Restart WLAN AutoConfig service: Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Find WLAN AutoConfig, right-click it, and select Restart. Make sure its Startup type is set to Automatic.
• Manually add hidden network: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → Manage known networks → Add network. Enter your WiFi name (SSID) and password, then connect.
• Check router status: Try connecting another device (like your phone). If no device can see the WiFi, restart or reset your router.

Pro Tip: If this problem started after a Windows update, updating or reinstalling the WiFi driver usually fixes it.

Unable to Connect to a Wi-Fi Network on Windows 11

If your WiFi network is visible but Windows 11 won’t connect to it, you may see errors like “Can’t connect to this network” or the connection fails repeatedly. This usually happens due to incorrect credentials, network conflicts, or temporary system issues.

Possible Causes:

• Incorrect WiFi password
• The saved network profile is corrupted
• Network settings conflict
• Outdated or incompatible WiFi driver
• Router security settings blocking the connection
• Temporary system glitch

Quick Solutions:

• Check the WiFi password carefully: Make sure you’re entering the correct password. Even a small mistake will prevent the connection.
• Forget and reconnect to the network: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → Manage known networks. Select your network → click Forget, then reconnect by entering the password again.
• Restart your PC and router: Turn off both devices, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on. This resets the connection.
• Run Network Troubleshooter: Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters and run Network and Internet.
• Update WiFi driver: Open Device Manager → Network adapters, right-click your WiFi adapter, and select Update driver.
• Disable and re-enable WiFi adapter: In Device Manager, right-click your WiFi adapter → click Disable device, then enable it again.
• Check your router’s security settings: Make sure your router isn’t blocking your device (e.g., via MAC filtering or device limits).

Pro Tip: If you recently changed your WiFi password or router settings, always forget the network and reconnect to avoid connection errors.

WiFi Connected but No Internet Access on Windows 11

If your WiFi shows “Connected” but you can’t browse websites or use apps, it means your PC is connected to the network but not getting internet access. This is a very common issue and is often related to IP configuration, DNS problems, or router issues.

Possible Causes:

• Router or ISP issue
• Incorrect IP address or DNS settings
• Network configuration conflict
• Outdated or buggy WiFi driver
• Firewall or VPN interference
• Temporary system glitch

Quick Solutions:

• Restart your router and modem: Unplug your router and modem for 30 seconds, then turn them back on. This refreshes your internet connection.
• Check the internet on other devices: Connect your phone or another device to the same WiFi.
  If the internet doesn’t work there, the issue is likely with your ISP or router.
• Disable and enable WiFi adapter: Go to Device Manager → Network adapters, disable your WiFi adapter, then enable it again.
• Reset IP and flush DNS: Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
  • ipconfig /flushdns
  • ipconfig /release
  • ipconfig /renew
• This clears the network cache and refreshes your IP address.
• Set DNS to automatic or use Google DNS: Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl and ok → Right click on Wifi Adapter select properties → Double click on IPv4. Set DNS to use:
  • Preferred: 8.8.8.8
  • Alternate: 8.8.4.4

• Disable VPN or Firewall temporarily: If you’re using a VPN or third-party firewall, disable it and check if the internet works.
• Run Network Troubleshooter: Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters and run Network and Internet.

Pro Tip: If this issue started suddenly, resetting your network settings or switching DNS mostly fixes it quickly.

WiFi Keeps Disconnecting Frequently on Windows 11

If your WiFi keeps disconnecting and reconnecting randomly, it can interrupt browsing, downloads, or video calls. This issue usually happens due to power settings, driver problems, or weak signal strength.

Possible Causes:

• Power saving settings turning off WiFi adapter
• Outdated or unstable WiFi driver
• Weak or fluctuating WiFi signal
• Router instability or interference
• Background network conflicts
• Temporary system glitch

Quick Solutions:

• Disable power saving for WiFi adapter: Go to Device Manager → Network adapters → WiFi adapter → Properties → Power Management. Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”

• Update WiFi driver: Open Device Manager, right-click your WiFi adapter, and select Update driver to install the latest version.
• Move closer to the router: Weak signals can cause frequent drops. Reduce the distance between your PC and router, or remove obstacles.
• Restart your router: Turn off the router for 30 seconds and turn it back on to stabilize the connection.
• Forget and reconnect to the network: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → Manage known networks, forget your network, then reconnect.
• Change the WiFi network band (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz): If your router supports dual-band, try switching networks for a more stable connection.
• Run Network Troubleshooter: Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters and run Network and Internet.

Pro Tip: If disconnects started after a Windows update, updating or reinstalling the WiFi driver often resolves the issue.

Slow WiFi Speed on Windows 11

If your WiFi is connected but the internet speed is very slow, pages may take longer to load, and videos may buffer. This issue is often related to background usage, outdated drivers, or network interference.

Possible Causes:

• Background apps using bandwidth
• Weak WiFi signal or interference
• Outdated or incorrect WiFi driver
• Metered connection setting enabled
• Router limitations or congestion
• Windows update is running in the background

Quick Solutions:

• Restart your router and PC: This clears temporary network congestion and improves performance.
• Close background apps using the internet: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Task Manager, check apps using high network usage, and close unnecessary ones.
• Disable metered connection: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → Your network and turn off Metered connection.
• Update WiFi driver: Open Device Manager → Network adapters, right-click your WiFi adapter, and select Update driver.

• Move closer to the router: Distance and obstacles reduce speed. Try to stay within a good signal range.
• Switch to 5GHz network (if available): 5GHz offers faster speeds than 2.4GHz if you are close to the router.
• Pause Windows updates temporarily: Go to Settings → Windows Update and pause updates if they are consuming bandwidth.

Pro Tip: If speed is still slow, run an internet speed test on multiple devices. If all devices are slow, the issue is likely with your ISP or router.

Weak or Unstable WiFi Signal on Windows 11

If your WiFi signal is weak or unstable, you may experience slow speeds, buffering, or frequent interruptions. This usually happens when your PC is too far from the router or there is interference affecting the signal.

Possible Causes:

• Long distance from the router
• Physical obstacles (walls, furniture)
• Interference from other devices (Bluetooth, microwave, etc.)
• Router placement issues
• Using overcrowded WiFi channel
• Weak network adapter performance

Quick Solutions:

• Move closer to the router: Reduce the distance between your PC and router for a stronger, more stable signal.
• Reposition your router: Place the router in a central, open location (not behind walls or inside cabinets).
• Switch to 2.4GHz or 5GHz based on need: Use 2.4GHz for better range, or 5GHz for faster speed at shorter distances.
• Reduce interference from other devices: Keep your router away from devices like microwaves, cordless phones, or Bluetooth devices.
• Restart your router: This can improve signal stability and reduce temporary interference issues.
• Update WiFi driver: Open Device Manager → Network adapters, and update your WiFi driver for better performance.
• Use a WiFi extender or USB adapter: If the signal is consistently weak, consider using a WiFi extender or a better external adapter.

Pro Tip: If only one device has a weak signal while others work fine, the issue is likely with your PC’s WiFi adapter, not the router.

WiFi Network Keeps Dropping on Windows 11

If your WiFi connection keeps dropping completely and doesn’t reconnect automatically, it can disrupt browsing, downloads, and online work. Unlike occasional disconnects, this issue causes the network to disappear or stop working until you reconnect manually.

Possible Causes:

• Unstable or faulty WiFi driver
• Router firmware or stability issues
• Power management settings affecting the network
• Network profile corruption
• Interference or weak signal
• Temporary system or update-related glitch

Quick Solutions:

• Restart your PC and router: Turn off both devices, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on to stabilize the connection.
• Forget and reconnect to the WiFi network: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → Manage known networks, remove your network, then reconnect.
• Disable power saving for WiFi adapter: Open Device Manager → Network adapters → WiFi adapter → Properties → Power Management, and uncheck the option to turn off the device.
• Update or reinstall the WiFi driver: In Device Manager, update your WiFi driver or uninstall it and restart your PC to reinstall.
• Reset network settings: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset. This will remove all network configurations and reinstall adapters.
• Check router firmware and settings: Restart your router and ensure it has the latest firmware installed for better stability.
• Switch WiFi band or channel: Try connecting to a different band (2.4GHz/5GHz) or change the router channel if possible.

Pro Tip: If the network drops start after a recent Windows update, updating drivers or performing a network reset often fixes the issue quickly.

Advanced Fixes (If Nothing Worked)

If the above solutions didn’t fix your WiFi problem, try these advanced methods. These steps reset deeper network settings and most of time resolve persistent issues.

Reset Network Settings

If basic fixes didn’t work, resetting network settings can resolve deeper configuration issues.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Go to Network & Internet
3. Click Advanced network settings
4. Scroll down and select Network reset
5. Click Reset now, then confirm

Your PC will restart automatically.

This will reinstall network adapters and reset network settings to their default state.

Important: This will remove all saved WiFi networks, passwords, and VPN settings. You’ll need to reconnect to your WiFi again.

Reinstall WiFi Driver Completely

This helps fix corrupted or broken drivers.

1. Press Windows + X → Device Manager
2. Expand Network adapters
3. Right-click your WiFi adapter
4. Select Uninstall device
5. Confirm the uninstall

Restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver. Alternatively, you can visit the device manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest Wi-Fi driver, or use a third-party driver updater tool to scan and install it automatically.

Roll Back or Update Windows

If the problem started after a recent update, rolling back may help.

To uninstall recent update:

1. Press Windows + I
2. Go to Windows Update
3. Click Update history
4. Select Uninstall updates
5. Remove the most recent update and restart

Or check for new updates:

• Go to Windows Update → Check for updates
• Install any available fixes

Use an External WiFi Adapter

If your internal WiFi card is faulty, using a USB WiFi adapter can quickly restore connectivity.

If problems persist, consulting with your ISP or a professional technician may be necessary for further assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions