Reset Network Settings to Fix Connectivity Issues (Windows 10/11) - Step-by-Step
Difficulty: Beginner | Time Required: 15 minutesIntroduction
If your PC can’t connect to Wi‑Fi or has flaky wired connections, the problem is often misconfigured network settings rather than your router. Resetting the network settings lets Windows return networking components to their default state, which can clear stubborn issues caused by software glitches, bad VPNs, or misapplied network policies. This is a safe, built-in repair that works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Note that you’ll need to reconnect to Wi‑Fi afterward and may have to reenter passwords.
Prerequisites
- Administrative access on the PC you’re troubleshooting.
- Wireless network passwords or credentials on hand (you’ll reconnect after the reset).
- A momentary laptop charger connection is helpful to avoid interruptions during the restart.
- If you rely on VPNs, corporate network software, or special virtual adapters, be prepared to reconfigure them after the reset.
- Optional first step: run the built-in Internet Troubleshooter to see if Windows can fix the issue without a reset.
1) Save work and prepare
- Close open network-intensive apps, save any work, and ensure you’re comfortable with a restart.
- If possible, connect via Ethernet during the reset to maintain a reliable connection while you set things back up afterward.
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings quickly.
- If you prefer, click the Start button and select Settings from the menu.
- In Windows 10: Settings > Network & Internet.
- In Windows 11: Settings > Network & Internet.
- Windows 10: Scroll to the bottom of the Status page and click Network reset.
- Windows 11: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings (or similar) and choose Network reset.
- Acknowledge that this will remove and reinstall all your network adapters and reset other networking components to their defaults.
- The computer will automatically restart as part of the process.
- Your saved Wi‑Fi networks will be forgotten, and you’ll need to reconnect afterward.
- Click the Reset now (Windows 10) or Reset (Windows 11) button.
- Confirm the action if prompted.
- The system will shut down and reboot. This can take several minutes as Windows reinstalls network components.
- Do not interrupt the process.
- After sign-in, reconnect to your Wi‑Fi network by entering the password (if you use Wi‑Fi) or plug in your Ethernet cable.
- Open a web page or run a quick test (for example, visit a site like example.com or run a quick ping test to 8.8.8.8).
- If you still have trouble, run the built-in troubleshooter:
- Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Internet Connections and Network Adapter.
- Windows 11: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Internet Connections and Network Adapter.
10) Clear network stack manually (advanced)
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start, choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin)).
- Run these commands one by one:
- netsh winsock reset catalog
- netsh int ip reset
- ipconfig /flushdns
- ipconfig /release
- ipconfig /renew
- Restart your PC after running these commands.
- Open Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager).
- Expand Network adapters, right-click your wireless or Ethernet adapter, and choose Update driver. If Windows can’t find an update, you can visit the manufacturer’s site for the latest driver.
- If issues persist, you can uninstall the adapter (uninstall device) and then restart Windows to reinstall it automatically.
- After the restart, test connectivity again.
- Power cycle your router/modem: unplug for 60 seconds, plug back in, and wait for the lights to stabilize.
- Try a different network (e.g., a smartphone hotspot) to determine if the issue is local to your PC or the router/ISP.
- Disable VPNs or security software temporarily to see if they’re blocking connections.
- Make sure Windows is up to date: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update (or Settings > Windows Update on Windows 11).
- What you lose with a reset: A network reset will remove saved Wi‑Fi networks and passwords. You’ll need to reconnect to networks afterward, so have credentials handy.
- It’s compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11. The exact button wording may vary slightly between versions, but the Network reset option exists in both.
- If you rely on multiple adapters (wireless, Ethernet, Bluetooth tethering), you may notice some temporary reconfiguration after the reset.
- If you’re on a laptop, performing the reset while plugged into power reduces the risk of an interrupted restart.
- If you’re using a work or school device, your organization may enforce network policies. In that case, check with IT before performing a reset.
Resetting the network settings is a practical, low-risk first step to fix stubborn connectivity issues in Windows 10 and Windows 11. By returning network components to their defaults, you clear misconfigurations that can block access to the internet, re-create proper adapter configurations, and often restore normal network behavior without lengthy troubleshooting. After a reset, you’ll simply reconnect to your networks and continue as usual, with the added benefit of a cleaner networking stack.
Key Takeaways:
- A Network Reset reinstalls networking components and adapters, often fixing stubborn connectivity problems.
- Post-reset steps are quick: reconnect to Wi‑Fi, test internet, and optionally run basic troubleshooting if needed.
- If problems persist, you can supplement the reset with Winsock/IP reset commands and driver updates.
- Remember: saved networks are forgotten during a reset, so have passwords handy and be prepared to reconnect.
This tutorial was generated to help WindowsForum.com users get the most out of their Windows experience.
