Windows 11 Wi-Fi Not Working? How to Fix Internet Problems

Few problems are as immediately frustrating as a PC that will not connect to the internet, because the usual way you would look up a fix is the very thing that is broken. The reassuring news is that Windows 11 network problems are almost always software, and almost always fixable in a few minutes once you know the order to try things. This guide walks through every fix from the simplest to the most thorough, so you can get back online fast.

First: Is It Your PC or Your Connection?

Before troubleshooting Windows, rule out the internet connection itself, since there is no point resetting your network stack if the whole house is offline.

• Test another device. Can your phone or another computer reach the internet on the same Wi-Fi? If nothing connects, the problem is your router or internet provider, not your PC.
• Check the router lights. If the internet or WAN light is off or red, restart the router and, if it stays down, contact your provider.
• If only your PC is affected, the fixes below are what you need.

Fix 1: Toggle Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode

Start with the simplest thing, which fixes a surprising number of sudden dropouts.

1. Click the network icon in the bottom-right of the taskbar.
2. Confirm Wi-Fi is on and Airplane mode is off.
3. Toggle Wi-Fi off, wait a few seconds, and back on.
4. Toggle Airplane mode on and off as well, which forces the wireless radios to reset.
5. Try reconnecting to your network.

If your network is not listed at all, that points to the adapter or driver, covered in Fix 6.

Fix 2: Restart Your PC and Router

The classic fix earns its reputation. Restarting clears temporary glitches in both the PC and the router.

1. Restart your PC fully (not just sleep).
2. Power cycle your router: unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, and give it a couple of minutes to fully come back.
3. Reconnect and test.

A router that has been running for weeks can develop connection issues that a simple restart clears instantly.

Fix 3: Run the Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11 has a built-in troubleshooter that detects and repairs common network problems automatically.

1. Go to Settings, System, Troubleshoot, Other troubleshooters.
2. Find Network and Internet (or Network Adapter) and click Run.
3. Follow the prompts and let it apply any fixes.

It often resolves disabled adapters, incorrect settings, and IP problems without any manual work.

Fix 4: Forget and Reconnect to Your Network

If you can connect to other networks but not your usual one, or the connection keeps failing, forgetting the network clears out a bad saved configuration.

1. Go to Settings, Network & internet, Wi-Fi, Manage known networks.
2. Find your network and click Forget.
3. Click the network icon in the taskbar, select your network again, and re-enter the password.

Fix 5: Flush DNS and Reset the Network Stack

If you are “connected but have no internet,” corrupted network settings are the usual cause. These commands clear them out. This is one of the most effective fixes for stubborn problems.

1. Right-click Start and open Terminal (Admin).
2. Run these one at a time:
   ipconfig /flushdns
   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew
   netsh winsock reset
   netsh int ip reset
3. Restart your PC (required for the last two commands to take effect).
4. Test your connection.

Fix 6: Update, Roll Back, or Reinstall the Network Driver

Drivers are the most common deeper cause, especially if Wi-Fi disappeared right after a Windows update.

To update the driver (if you have another way online, like Ethernet or a phone hotspot):

1. Right-click Start, open Device Manager, and expand Network adapters.
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and choose Update driver, then Search automatically.

If Wi-Fi broke right after an update, roll the driver back:

1. In Device Manager, right-click the Wi-Fi adapter and choose Properties.
2. Open the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver if available.
3. Restart.

If neither helps, reinstall the driver:

1. In Device Manager, right-click the adapter and choose Uninstall device.
2. Restart. Windows reinstalls the network driver automatically on boot.

Fix 7: Check Network Reset (Last Software Resort)

If nothing else works, a full network reset removes and reinstalls all network adapters and returns networking settings to default.

1. Go to Settings, Network & internet, Advanced network settings.
2. Click Network reset.
3. Confirm, and let the PC restart.
4. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi and re-enter the password afterward.

This is a clean slate for networking and resolves problems that survive every other fix. You will need to reconnect to your networks and reconfigure any VPN afterward.

Quick Diagnosis Table

Bonus: Stop Wi-Fi Dropping to Save Power

If your Wi-Fi keeps dropping, especially on a laptop, Windows may be turning the adapter off to save power.

1. Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters.
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, choose Properties, open the Power Management tab.
3. Untick Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
4. Click OK.

The Foundation: Keep Windows Genuine and Updated

Network drivers and fixes arrive through Windows Update. An unactivated or non-genuine copy of Windows can miss those updates, leaving you with outdated or buggy network drivers and no clean path to fix them. It can also have tampered system files that interfere with networking.

A genuine, activated Windows receives driver and system updates reliably, which quietly prevents a range of connectivity problems. If you need to sort out activation, see our guide on fixing Windows 11 activation, and if updates themselves are failing, our guide on fixing stuck Windows updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Wi-Fi not working on Windows 11?

Common causes are Airplane mode being on, a driver problem, corrupted network settings, or a router issue. Start by testing another device to rule out the router, then toggle Wi-Fi and Airplane mode, restart both PC and router, and run the network troubleshooter.

Why does it say “connected but no internet”?

This usually means a DNS or IP problem. Open Terminal (Admin) and run ipconfig /flushdns, ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew, netsh winsock reset, and netsh int ip reset, then restart. That sequence resolves most connected-but-offline cases.

My Wi-Fi stopped working after a Windows update. What do I do?

The update likely changed your network driver. Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, open your Wi-Fi adapter’s Properties, and use Roll Back Driver on the Driver tab. If that is not available, reinstall the driver from your manufacturer.

How do I reset network settings in Windows 11?

Go to Settings, Network & internet, Advanced network settings, and click Network reset. This removes and reinstalls all adapters and returns networking to defaults. You will need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi and reconfigure any VPN afterward.

There is no Wi-Fi option at all in Windows 11. Why?

Usually the adapter is disabled or its driver is missing. In Device Manager under Network adapters, check whether your Wi-Fi adapter is listed and enabled. If it is missing, reinstall the driver. Also confirm any physical Wi-Fi switch on a laptop is on.

How do I fix Wi-Fi that keeps disconnecting?

Often power saving is turning the adapter off. In Device Manager, open the adapter’s Properties, go to Power Management, and untick “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.” Updating the driver and restarting the router also help.

What do the ipconfig and netsh commands actually do?

flushdns clears cached address lookups, release and renew get a fresh IP from your router, winsock reset restores network software components to default, and int ip reset resets the TCP/IP stack. Together they clear corrupted network settings.

How do I update my network driver with no internet?

Use a phone connected by USB as a tethered connection or hotspot to get temporarily online, or download the driver on another device from your PC maker’s site and transfer it via USB. Then update through Device Manager or run the installer.

Should I use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi?

If a wired connection is possible, Ethernet is more stable and faster and can serve as a useful test: if Ethernet works but Wi-Fi does not, the problem is specifically your wireless adapter or driver rather than the wider connection.

Can unactivated Windows affect my internet?

Indirectly. Non-genuine installs can miss driver and system updates that keep networking working correctly, and may have tampered files. A genuine Windows 11 Pro key keeps updates flowing cleanly, preventing a range of connectivity quirks.

Final Thoughts

A Windows 11 PC with no internet feels like an emergency, but it is almost always a quick software fix. Rule out the router first, toggle Wi-Fi and Airplane mode, restart everything, and run the troubleshooter. When it is deeper, the DNS and network reset commands or a driver rollback handle nearly all of what remains.

To keep networking and every other piece of hardware working reliably, a genuine, fully updated Windows is the foundation. A Windows 11 Pro key at $15 ensures your drivers and updates arrive cleanly, quietly preventing a whole category of connectivity headaches.