How to Reset Network Settings in Windows 11

Yes. Windows 11’s Network reset can fix persistent Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN, or network-adapter problems by removing and rebuilding the system’s network configuration. It does not delete personal files or installed programs, but it removes saved network details and can disrupt VPN, proxy, and custom network settings, so try simpler fixes first and record those details before resetting.

Is a network reset the right fix for your Windows 11 problem?

Network reset is appropriate when your PC still cannot connect after you have restarted the computer and network equipment, or when Windows shows a persistent adapter, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet failure. It is also reasonable after a failed VPN installation or removal has left the network stack behaving incorrectly.

You may see symptoms such as these:

Wi-Fi or Ethernet remains disconnected after restarting the PC and router

This symptom appears when Windows still cannot establish a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection after both the PC and router have been restarted.

Do not start with Network reset for a temporary outage, an incorrect Wi-Fi password, or a problem affecting every device in your home. Check another phone or computer on the same network, confirm that Wi-Fi is switched on, and restart the router if appropriate. For Ethernet, check that the cable is seated and that the router’s port shows activity.

Before a full reset, disconnect and reconnect to the network, turn Airplane mode off, and run Windows’ built-in network troubleshooter. If only one website or app fails, resetting Windows networking probably will not solve that separate problem.

This procedure applies to Windows 11 through the current Settings interface. You normally do not need an Administrator Command Prompt, but Windows may request administrator approval. Save open work first: the reset restarts the PC automatically. It does not erase documents, photos, installed programs, or other personal files. It does remove network configuration, so treat it as a system settings change rather than a harmless toggle.

What Windows 11 network reset changes before you click Reset now

Network reset removes the installed network adapters and then reinstalls them after Windows restarts. Windows also returns network components and settings to their defaults. That can clear a damaged configuration, but it also removes settings you deliberately added.

Before you proceed, record:

• Wi-Fi network names and passwords you will need after the restart.
• VPN provider details, sign-in information, server addresses, certificates, or custom profiles.
• A manually configured IP address, DNS server, gateway, or proxy setting.
• Any special settings used by work, school, or security software.

Saved Wi-Fi profiles are removed, so Windows will not necessarily reconnect automatically to networks it remembered before. The VPN application may remain installed, but its network adapter or configuration can be removed or disrupted. You may need to open, repair, or reinstall the VPN, particularly if it uses a virtual network adapter. A proxy or manually assigned network configuration may also need to be entered again.

The reset does not format the drive and does not remove personal files. It can affect software that depends on a network adapter. On a work-managed PC, check with your administrator first; a company VPN or security policy may require a specific setup afterward.

Confirm that the router or access point is operating and record any non-default settings you will need. If the problem is clearly caused by an account, service outage, or damaged cable, resetting Windows will not repair that cause.

How to reset network settings in Windows 11

Perform the reset from Settings. You need Administrator approval if Windows requests it, and you should save your work because Windows will restart the PC.

The reset removes saved Wi-Fi networks and resets adapters, proxy settings, and other network configuration. Record the details needed for Wi-Fi, VPN, work, or school connections before continuing.

1. Open Settings with Windows key + I.
2. Select Network & internet.
3. Select Advanced network settings.
4. Under More settings, select Network reset.
5. Read the notice, then select Reset now.

Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset > Reset now

6. Approve the confirmation if Windows asks for it. Windows removes and reinstalls the network adapters, then restarts the computer. Close any unsaved programs before accepting the reset.

The expected result is an automatic restart followed by a fresh Windows session. Do not switch off the PC or interrupt the restart while Windows applies the change. If the reset button does not respond, restart Windows normally and try the Settings path again rather than repeatedly selecting it.

If Network reset is missing, you may be using a restricted account, a managed device, or a different Windows interface. Check that you are running Windows 11 and that Settings is fully updated.

Reconnect and check whether your internet is working

After Windows restarts, reconnect to the network as if you were using the PC for the first time.

1. Select the network icon on the taskbar.
2. Expand the available network list, select your Wi-Fi network, and choose Connect.
3. Enter the Wi-Fi password when prompted. For Ethernet, connect the cable and wait for Windows to detect the adapter.
4. If you use a VPN, open its application and sign in. Reimport or recreate the VPN profile if it disappeared. If the VPN uses a separate virtual adapter and the application cannot connect, repair or reinstall the VPN using the provider’s supported installer.
5. Restore a proxy, fixed IP address, custom DNS server, or other special setting only if your network requires it. Do not add these settings back merely because they existed before; a default configuration is the better starting point for testing.
6. Open more than one familiar website in a browser. Then select the taskbar network icon and check that Windows reports an active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.

A successful reset normally produces a connected status and lets websites load without repeated disconnects. If Windows connects to Wi-Fi but websites do not open, the remaining issue may involve DNS, a proxy, the router, or the internet service rather than the adapter. If no networks appear, Windows may be missing a working driver or the hardware may be disabled.

What to try if the network still does not work

Do not keep repeating Network reset. If it did not restore connectivity, determine whether the failure is local to Windows, related to the router, or caused by the network adapter or its driver.

1. Test the same Wi-Fi network with another device. If every device is offline, restart the router and check for an outage or service problem. If only this PC fails, continue with Windows checks.
2. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and run the available network or Internet connection troubleshooter. Follow any repair it recommends, then test a website again.
3. Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, and look for a warning icon or a disabled adapter. Enable it if necessary. Use the adapter manufacturer’s current Windows 11 driver, or roll back the driver if the failure began immediately after a driver update. Obtain drivers from the PC or adapter manufacturer when possible, using another device if this PC cannot get online.
4. Check the physical connection. Try another Ethernet cable or router port, and confirm that the correct Wi-Fi switch or keyboard control is enabled. A missing adapter after reset can indicate a driver or hardware problem, not a need for another reset.
5. If the connection works without the VPN but fails when the VPN starts, repair the VPN application and verify its profile, credentials, and virtual adapter. Contact the VPN provider or your organization if it requires a managed configuration.

If the adapter is absent from Device Manager, keeps disappearing, or fails on another operating system or computer, contact the PC or adapter manufacturer. If other devices cannot reach the internet, contact your network provider or administrator. A driver repair, hardware replacement, router fix, or service investigation is more appropriate than repeatedly clearing Windows settings.

Conclusion

After the reset, establish a plain Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection before restoring VPNs, proxies, or custom DNS settings. If that basic connection still fails, compare the PC with another device on the same network and focus on the router, driver, adapter, or service provider. Keep the recorded network details until every required connection works again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Windows 11 Network reset delete my personal files?

No. It removes and reinstalls network adapters and clears network configuration, but it does not delete personal files or installed programs.

Will I need to enter my Wi-Fi password again?

Usually, yes. Saved Wi-Fi network information is removed, so have the network name and password ready after the restart.

Does Network reset remove my VPN?

It can remove or disrupt the VPN’s network adapter and configuration. The VPN application may remain installed, but you may need to sign in again, restore its profile, repair it, or reinstall it.

How long does a Windows 11 network reset take?

The reset includes an automatic restart. The exact time depends on the PC, and you should not interrupt Windows while it removes and reinstalls the adapters.