There are many reasons—trivial and complex—that result in Windows 11 not connecting to Wi-Fi. For example, it could be due to an incorrect password, a router-side issue, or a corrupt network configuration. Work through the solutions in this troubleshooting guide to fix Windows 11 when it fails to connect to Wi-Fi.
If you’ve yet to make the upgrade to Microsoft’s latest operating system, check out our Windows 10 Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide instead.
1. Check Your Wi-Fi Password
If you’re attempting to connect to a Wi-Fi network for the first time, make sure that the password you’re typing is accurate. Getting a single character wrong or mixing up upper and lower case will prevent your computer from joining the network.
2. Manually Connect to the Network
Although Windows 11 auto-connects to previously-saved wireless networks by default, you can’t always count on that happening. If your PC isn’t connecting to a network despite being in its vicinity, try connecting manually. While at it, check the Connect automatically box for the network if it isn’t already active.
3. Toggle Airplane Mode On/Off
Toggling Airplane Mode on and off reboots your PC’s Wi-Fi adapter and resolves minor glitches, preventing Windows 11 from connecting to a network. Just open the Quick Settings pane again and select the Airplane mode tile. Then, wait up to 10 seconds, and select it again.
4. Move Closer to the Router
Weak signal strength can stop your computer from joining a wireless network even if it appears on Windows 11’s Wi-Fi network list. Move closer to the router or access point until the signal indicator is at least two-thirds full before connecting to it again. If the problem occurs on a home network, learn how to boost the Wi-Fi signal strength for better connectivity.
5. Restart Your Computer
Restarting your computer clears the RAM (random access memory) of obsolete temporary data and consequently fixes wireless connectivity issues that randomly crop up in Windows 11. Save your work, and then open the Start menu and select Power > Restart.
6. Run the Network Troubleshooter
Windows 11 comes with a couple of built-in network troubleshooters capable of detecting and fixing persistent internet connectivity problems. To run them: Learn what to do if the Internet Connections or the Network Adapter troubleshooter throws a “Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error.
7. Forget and Reconnect to the Network
Another way to fix Wi-Fi connectivity issues specific to a network, assuming you’ve previously joined it, is to forget and reconnect. To do that:
8. Check for MAC Address Filtering
Wi-Fi networks can forbid devices from joining based on unique identifiers called MAC (media access control) addresses. Confirm that your PC is not barred from connecting if you have permissions to access the router settings.
9. Restart, Update, or Reset Your Router
If the problem persists but with a specific network only, try restarting the router, modem, or access point. If that does not help, visit the router settings and install any pending firmware updates. If there are no new updates, reset your wireless router or contact the ISP (internet service provider).
10. Update, Roll Back, or Reinstall the Wi-Fi Adapter Drivers
If your Windows 11 PC refuses to connect to multiple networks, it could be because of outdated, buggy, or corrupt network adapter drivers. Update, rollback, or reinstall those drivers.
Update Network Adapter Drivers
Newer network adapter drivers contain bug fixes that resolve intermittent Wi-Fi connectivity issues. To install them:
Roll Back Network Adapter Drivers
If the problem occurred after installing a newer network adapter driver, try rolling that adapter driver back to its previous version. To do that:
Reinstall Network Adapter Drivers
Reinstall your network adapter drivers to rule out corruption issues. To do that:
11. Update Windows to Its Latest Version
Updating Windows 11 to its latest version offers another way to fix Wi-Fi issues. If you can connect your PC to a different Wi-Fi network or is capable of using an Ethernet cable: If not, check your Windows version and download the latest update via the Microsoft Update Catalog on another PC. Then, copy the update file via USB and perform the update offline.
12. Reset the TCP/IP Stack
A broken TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) stack in Windows often results in numerous connectivity problems. Hence, the following fix involves resetting it to its defaults. ipconfig /flushdns netsh winsock reset catalog netsh int ip reset
13. Reset the Windows 11 Network Settings
If none of the fixes above help, it’s time to perform a total network settings reset in Windows 11. You’ll lose all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords during the process. After the network settings reset, try connecting to an available Wi-Fi network. If a corrupt or conflicting network configuration was the source of the problem, you shouldn’t encounter Wi-Fi problems anymore.
Connecting to Wi-Fi But Not Internet?
Connecting to a Wi-Fi network doesn’t necessarily mean that your Windows 11 PC will have internet access. If you continue to see a Globe icon on the right corner of the taskbar, learn what to do to fix a computer that connects to Wi-Fi but can’t connect to the internet.
