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If Wi-Fi is not working on your Windows 11 PC, start with the Get Help app’s Network and Internet troubleshooter, then check connection settings and the router before attempting driver or network resets. Work through these steps in order: they help distinguish a Windows problem from a fault with the saved network, router, modem, or internet provider.
1. Run the Get Help network troubleshooter
Microsoft’s current guidance for Windows 11 starts with the automated Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Open Get Help, search for network troubleshooting, choose the Network and Internet troubleshooter, and follow its prompts. It checks for common problems and attempts repairs; it cannot guarantee a fix for every cause. Microsoft’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide explains this first step.
2. Check Wi-Fi and Airplane mode
Open Quick Settings from the taskbar and confirm Wi-Fi is on, Airplane mode is off, and the expected network shows Connected. If Wi-Fi is off, turn it on and select your network.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteA Connected status only confirms that Windows has joined the wireless network; it does not prove that a particular website or app is reachable. If only one app or site fails, check whether the service itself is available and consider app or firewall settings rather than treating it as a general Wi-Fi outage.
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3. Forget the network and reconnect
A saved network profile can cause connection trouble. Remove it and join the network again:
- Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
- Select the affected network and choose Forget.
- Return to the Wi-Fi network list, select the network, and enter its password to connect again.
Make sure you have the correct password before forgetting the profile.
4. Restart the modem and router
Restarting network equipment can clear a temporary fault, but it disconnects everyone currently using that network. If the modem and router are separate devices:
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- Unplug both devices and wait at least about 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the modem first and wait for it to finish starting up.
- Reconnect the router and wait for its startup to complete before testing Wi-Fi.
If you have a combined modem-router, restart that single device instead. Use its power connection or the manufacturer’s restart procedure.
5. Try the other Wi-Fi frequency band
Some routers broadcast separate network names for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. If both appear in Windows, connect to the other band and see whether the PC behaves differently. This comparison can help identify a band-specific connection issue, but neither band is a universal fix.
6. Check whether another device can connect
Try the same Wi-Fi network on another laptop or phone. If the other device connects, the problem is more likely specific to the Windows PC. If it also fails, investigate the router, modem, or internet service rather than focusing only on Windows.
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Also note what Windows reports: whether the Wi-Fi network appears, whether the PC can join it, and whether it reports internet access. A PC that is connected to Wi-Fi but cannot reach the internet needs further diagnosis beyond simply turning wireless on.
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If the simpler checks have not helped, use Microsoft’s command sequence to reset Winsock and TCP/IP, renew the PC’s IP address, and clear the DNS resolver cache. Open Command Prompt as administrator, then run these commands in order:
netsh winsock resetnetsh int ip resetipconfig /releaseipconfig /renewipconfig /flushdns
Let each command finish before running the next. Test the connection afterward; if a command reports an error, note it rather than assuming the reset completed.
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8. Reinstall the Wi-Fi adapter driver only if needed
If the fault persists—particularly if it began after a driver update—Windows may have a problem with the network adapter driver. Before uninstalling anything, obtain a backup driver from your PC manufacturer. If the PC cannot get online, download the driver on another computer and transfer it by USB.
Then open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click the Wi-Fi adapter, and choose Uninstall device. Restart the PC so Windows can try to reinstall the adapter driver. If Windows does not restore a working driver, use the manufacturer’s saved installer.
9. Test the connection to your router
A gateway ping checks whether the PC can reach the router over the local network. Open Command Prompt and run:
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- Run
ipconfigand find the Default gateway under the Wi-Fi adapter. - Run
ping <DefaultGateway>, replacing<DefaultGateway>with the address shown byipconfig; for example, useping 192.168.1.1only if that is the address listed on your PC.
If the ping receives replies, the PC can reach the router. If internet access still fails, the problem may be at the modem or with the internet provider; check for a service interruption or contact the provider. If there is no reply, try connecting a cable you already have directly from the PC to the modem, if that is possible. If Ethernet works, that points to a problem with the Wi-Fi router connection.
10. Check Windows updates, then reset the network as a last resort
Check for updates and restart
Open Settings > Windows Update, check for available updates, and install relevant updates. Restart the PC when prompted or after installation, then test Wi-Fi again.
Use Network reset only after other steps fail
Microsoft says, “Using network reset should be the last step you try.” Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset, select Reset now, and restart when prompted.
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Quick Recap
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