Resetting network settings on Windows 11 or Windows 10 is one of the effective solutions to fix a wide range of network connectivity issues. This process reinstalls all network adapters and resets networking components to their default settings. It also clears out the culprits behind your connection problems. Whether you’re experiencing Internet connection problem or your Laptop just won’t connect to Wi-Fi, resetting the network settings fixes the problem and restores functionality. Whether you’re using Windows 11 or Windows 10, this article guides you How to reset your network settings properly.
Resetting your network settings fixes a wide range of internet and connectivity issues.
Quick Links
What exactly happens when you reset Network Settings?
When you reset network settings in Windows 11, the system removes and reinstalls all network adapters, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and VPN adapters. It also resets all network-related configurations, including TCP/IP settings, Winsock, and other network protocols, to their original defaults. In addition, this process erases saved Wi-Fi networks, custom DNS settings, and proxy configurations. This process essentially returns your network settings to their default state and resolves issues caused by misconfigured or corrupted network settings.
- Remove and reinstall all network adapters
- Reset TCP/IP stack and Winsock settings
- Clear custom network configurations (e.g., proxy or VPN settings)
- Delete saved Wi-Fi networks and their passwords
- Require a system restart to complete the process
Note: After reset network settings in Windows 11, you’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks and reconfigure any custom network settings.
How to Reset Network Settings in Windows 11
You can quickly reset network settings in Windows 11 through the Settings app. This process reinstalls all network adapters, erases saved Wi-Fi networks, and resets custom DNS and proxy settings to their defaults.
- Click on the Start button and select the Settings icon (the gear). Alternatively, you can press Windows key + I
- In the left-hand pane of the Settings window, click on Network & Internet.
- On the right pane, scroll down and click on Advanced network settings
- In the “More Settings” section, choose “Network reset.”
Click “Reset now” and confirm by selecting “Yes.” Your PC will restart, and network settings will be reset to the default.
How to Reset Network Settings in Windows 10
The process for Reset Network Settings in Windows 10 is very similar to Windows 11, with only minor navigational differences.
- Press the Windows + I keyboard shortcut to open the settings app.
- Click on Network & Internet. It should open on the Status page, but if not, click Status at the top of the menu in the left-hand pane.
- Scroll down on the right until you see Network reset, click this.
- A new window opens where you’ll see a button to ‘Reset now’.
- Confirm your choice and allow your PC to restart and complete the network reset.
- This will reinstall the network adapter driver and reset network settings to default, make like new.
- You need to restart your PC to apply the changes
Reset network settings using Command Prompt
You can also reset the network stack using Command Prompt, applicable for both Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Now run the following commands one by one, press Enter after each:
netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
These commands reset the TCP/IP stack, Winsock catalog, and IP configurations to their default states. In addition ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew commands disconnect and then request a new IP address from the router. Finally, ipconfig /flushdns clears the DNS cache, which helps resolve issues with websites not loading properly due to outdated or corrupt DNS data.
After running the above commands, restart your computer and check if this helps fix the Internet connection problem.
When Should You Reset Network Settings?
You might consider resetting your network settings if you experience:
- Frequent disconnections: Your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection drops unexpectedly.
- No internet access: You’re connected to your network, but can’t browse the web.
- Limited connectivity: You can access some websites or services but not others.
- New network hardware: You’ve installed a new router or modem and are having trouble connecting.
- After malware removal: Malware can sometimes corrupt network settings.
- Slow network speeds: Your internet is unusually sluggish, even after basic troubleshooting.
