How to Reset Network Settings in Windows 11
Network problems in Windows 11 can be difficult to troubleshoot when the cause is not immediately obvious. You may be connected to Wi-Fi but unable to access the internet, experience frequent disconnections, see incorrect network information, or have problems after changing network settings.
One of the more effective troubleshooting steps is to reset the network settings in Windows 11.
A network reset removes and reinstalls network adapters and returns certain networking components to their default configuration. Windows also requires a restart after using the Network reset feature. Because this process can remove saved network configurations, it should normally be used after simpler troubleshooting steps have failed.
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| Step-by-step guide showing how to reset network settings in Windows 11, reconnect to Wi-Fi, and troubleshoot internet connection problems. |
In this guide, you will learn how to reset network settings in Windows 11 using the Settings app, what happens after a network reset, what you should prepare before resetting, and what to do if your internet connection still does not work.
What Is Network Reset in Windows 11?
Network reset is a Windows troubleshooting feature designed to restore network-related components to their default state.
It can be useful when Windows has a networking configuration problem that cannot easily be identified or fixed manually.
Microsoft's current Windows documentation places network-related controls under Settings > Network & internet, where Windows 11 provides options for managing Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN, hotspots, and other network features.
A network reset is different from simply disconnecting and reconnecting to Wi-Fi. It is a more extensive troubleshooting procedure.
When Should You Reset Network Settings?
You may consider a network reset when you experience problems such as:
- Windows 11 cannot connect to Wi-Fi
- Ethernet suddenly stops working
- Network adapters behave incorrectly
- Internet access stopped after a configuration change
- Windows reports an unexpected network problem
- Network settings appear corrupted
- You have tried other basic troubleshooting methods without success
- A network adapter is missing or behaving abnormally
However, network reset should not necessarily be your first troubleshooting step.
Before resetting everything, test simpler solutions such as restarting your router, reconnecting to Wi-Fi, checking your network adapter, and testing packet loss.
What Happens When You Reset Network Settings?
A network reset can remove and reinstall network adapters and return networking components to their default settings.
This means you may need to configure your network connection again after Windows restarts.
For example, you may need to:
- Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network
- Enter your Wi-Fi password again
- Reconfigure VPN software
- Review network adapter settings
- Reconfigure custom DNS settings
- Recheck Ethernet configuration
- Reconnect to certain corporate or managed networks
If you use a VPN or specialized network software, check its configuration after the reset.
Before You Reset Network Settings
Before starting, make sure you know the Wi-Fi password for your network.
This is especially important if your computer currently connects automatically.
You should also make a note of any custom networking configuration you use.
For example:
- Custom DNS servers
- Static IP configuration
- VPN settings
- Proxy settings
- Corporate network configuration
- Virtual network adapters
If you previously configured DNS manually, you can review the current configuration using:
ipconfig /allYou can also see our related guide:
How to Check DNS Settings in Windows 11
How to Reset Network Settings in Windows 11
Step 1: Open Settings
Press:
Windows + IThis opens the Windows Settings application.
Step 2: Open Network & Internet
In Settings, select Network & internet.
This section contains the main Windows networking controls.
Step 3: Open Advanced Network Settings
Scroll down and select Advanced network settings.
This page contains additional controls for network adapters and networking-related configuration.
Step 4: Find Network Reset
Look for the Network reset option and select it.
Step 5: Select Reset Now
Select Reset now.
Windows will warn you that the computer needs to restart.
Confirm the reset.
Step 6: Restart Windows 11
Windows will restart the computer as part of the process.
Save your work and close any applications before continuing.
After Windows restarts, the network components should have been reset.
How to Reconnect to Wi-Fi After a Network Reset
After the reset and restart, you may need to reconnect to your wireless network.
Select the network icon on the Windows taskbar.
Then:
- Open the available Wi-Fi networks.
- Select your wireless network.
- Select Connect.
- Enter the Wi-Fi password.
- Wait for Windows to establish the connection.
How to Check Whether the Network Reset Worked
After reconnecting, open Command Prompt and run:
ipconfigLook for your active network adapter and verify that Windows has assigned an IP address.
Then test your router.
ping 192.168.1.1Replace the address with your actual default gateway if it is different.
You can find your gateway by running:
ipconfigLook for Default Gateway.
Test Your Internet Connection After the Reset
Once the local network is working, test an external IP address.
ping 1.1.1.1If you receive replies, your computer can communicate with that remote IP address.
You can then test DNS resolution:
ping example.comIf the IP address works but the hostname does not, investigate DNS settings.
Check Packet Loss After Network Reset
If your connection still feels unstable, test packet loss.
ping /n 100 1.1.1.1Windows will report the number of packets sent, received, and lost.
You can also test your router:
ping /n 100 YOUR-GATEWAYReplace YOUR-GATEWAY with the address shown by ipconfig.
For a complete guide, see:
How to Check Packet Loss in Windows 11
Network Reset vs Restarting Your Router
These are two different troubleshooting actions.
Restarting the Router
Restarting your router affects the network equipment providing your local connection. It can resolve temporary router problems.
Resetting Network Settings
A Windows network reset affects the networking configuration on your computer.
It can help when the problem is located within Windows rather than the router.
If both your computer and other devices have internet problems, investigate the router and ISP.
If only your Windows 11 PC has the problem, troubleshooting the PC's network configuration makes more sense.
Network Reset vs Forgetting a Wi-Fi Network
Forgetting a Wi-Fi network is much less aggressive than performing a network reset.
If only one saved Wi-Fi connection is causing problems, try forgetting that network first.
You can then reconnect and enter the Wi-Fi password again.
A full network reset is more appropriate when the problem appears to involve the broader Windows networking configuration.
Network Reset vs Network Adapter Reset
These procedures are also different.
Restarting or disabling and re-enabling a network adapter affects a particular adapter.
A full network reset is broader.
If you suspect a problem with a specific adapter, first inspect it in Windows.
How to Check Network Adapter in Windows 11
How to Reset Network Settings Using Command Prompt
Advanced users can also troubleshoot Windows networking from Command Prompt.
Several commands can reset individual networking components.
For example:
netsh winsock resetThis resets the Winsock catalog.
You can also reset TCP/IP:
netsh int ip resetAfter running these commands, Windows may require a restart.
These commands are different from the graphical Network reset feature.
How to Reset Winsock in Windows 11
Winsock provides an interface between Windows networking applications and the underlying network services.
If Winsock configuration becomes problematic, applications may experience connectivity issues.
To reset Winsock:
- Open Start.
- Search for Command Prompt.
- Select Run as administrator.
- Enter the following command:
netsh winsock reset- Press Enter.
- Restart Windows.
After restarting, test your network connection again.
How to Reset TCP/IP in Windows 11
You can reset TCP/IP using:
netsh int ip resetOpen Command Prompt as administrator and enter the command.
Then restart Windows.
After the restart, test your IP configuration:
ipconfigThen test the default gateway:
ping YOUR-GATEWAYFinally, test an external destination:
ping 1.1.1.1Should You Use netcfg -d?
Windows also includes the netcfg command.
Its /d parameter performs cleanup on networking devices and requires a reboot.
An advanced troubleshooting command sometimes used for network-device cleanup is:
netcfg -dThis is more aggressive than a simple adapter restart.
Because it can affect network devices and require Windows to reboot, it should not be the first solution for an ordinary internet problem.
Use the graphical Network reset feature first unless you have a specific reason to perform advanced network-device cleanup.
How to Fix Wi-Fi After Network Reset
If Wi-Fi does not work after resetting the network, work through these checks.
1. Check Whether Wi-Fi Is Enabled
Open Windows Quick Settings and make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
2. Check Available Networks
Open the Wi-Fi network list and see whether your router appears.
3. Re-enter Your Wi-Fi Password
The saved wireless configuration may no longer be available after the reset.
4. Restart the Router
Power-cycle your router and wait for it to reconnect to the internet.
5. Check the Wi-Fi Signal
A weak wireless signal can produce unstable connectivity.
How to Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength in Windows 11
6. Check the Network Adapter
Open Device Manager and check the Wi-Fi adapter.
Look for warning symbols or missing devices.
How to Fix Ethernet After Network Reset
If Ethernet stops working after the reset:
- Check the Ethernet cable.
- Check the router port.
- Check whether Windows detects the Ethernet adapter.
- Check the adapter driver.
- Run
ipconfig. - Test the default gateway.
- Restart the router.
You can also check whether Windows still detects the adapter using:
ipconfig /allWhat If Network Reset Does Not Fix the Problem?
A network reset does not fix every type of network problem.
If the problem continues, determine whether the issue is:
- Your Windows PC
- Your Wi-Fi connection
- Your router
- Your DNS configuration
- Your ISP
- A remote server
- A VPN or proxy
- A network driver
- A hardware problem
Start with local testing.
ipconfigThen:
ping YOUR-GATEWAYThen:
ping 1.1.1.1Finally:
ping example.comThis sequence can help separate local connectivity, internet routing, and DNS-related problems.
Check Your IP Address After Network Reset
A network reset can change the configuration of your network connection.
Run:
ipconfigCheck the active adapter.
For a more detailed view, use:
ipconfig /allThis can show information such as:
- IPv4 address
- IPv6 address
- Subnet mask
- Default gateway
- DHCP information
- DNS servers
- Physical address
How to Check IP Address in Windows 11
Check Your MAC Address After Network Reset
You can also verify the physical address of the network adapter.
Run:
ipconfig /allLook for Physical Address.
You can also use:
getmacHow to Check MAC Address in Windows 11
Check DNS After Network Reset
If you can ping an IP address but websites do not load correctly, check DNS.
Run:
ipconfig /allLook for the DNS servers associated with the active network adapter.
You can also test DNS resolution with:
nslookup example.comHow to Check DNS Settings in Windows 11
Does Network Reset Delete Personal Files?
No.
A Windows network reset is not the same as resetting or reinstalling Windows.
It does not normally delete your personal documents, photos, applications, or other personal files.
However, it changes networking configuration.
That means you should still prepare for the possibility that you need to reconnect to networks and reconfigure networking software.
Does Network Reset Remove Wi-Fi Passwords?
You should expect saved network connections to require attention after a network reset.
If you do not know your Wi-Fi password, find or confirm it before performing the reset.
This is especially important if the computer is currently connected automatically.
Does Network Reset Remove VPN Settings?
A network reset can affect VPN and other networking software because network adapters and related components may be reinstalled.
If you use a VPN for work or other important purposes, make sure you know how to restore its configuration before resetting the network.
After the reset, open your VPN application and verify that it still works correctly.
Can Network Reset Fix Slow Internet?
Sometimes, but not always.
If Windows networking configuration is causing the problem, resetting the network may help.
However, slow internet can also be caused by:
- Low Wi-Fi signal
- Network congestion
- ISP limitations
- Router problems
- High latency
- Packet loss
- DNS problems
- Hardware limitations
How to Check Internet Speed in Windows
Can Network Reset Fix Packet Loss?
It can help if the packet-loss problem is caused by a corrupted or incorrect local networking configuration.
However, packet loss can also occur because of:
- Wi-Fi interference
- Faulty Ethernet cables
- Router problems
- Network congestion
- ISP problems
- Remote network problems
Therefore, test packet loss before and after the reset.
ping /n 100 YOUR-GATEWAYand:
ping /n 100 1.1.1.1When You Should Not Reset Network Settings
A network reset may be unnecessary if:
- Only one website is unavailable
- Your internet is working normally
- The problem is caused by a remote server
- Your Wi-Fi password is unknown
- You have a complex corporate network
- You rely on specialized VPN or virtual adapters
- A simple router restart would solve the problem
Use the least disruptive troubleshooting method that matches the problem.
Recommended Windows 11 Network Troubleshooting Order
- Check the physical connection. For Ethernet, check the cable. For Wi-Fi, check the wireless signal.
- Restart the router. Wait until the router reconnects to the internet.
- Check the network adapter. Make sure Windows detects the adapter.
- Check your IP configuration. Run
ipconfig. - Ping the router. Run
ping YOUR-GATEWAY. - Test packet loss. Run
ping /n 100 YOUR-GATEWAY. - Test the internet. Run
ping 1.1.1.1. - Test DNS. Run
nslookup example.com. - Reset specific networking components. Try Winsock or TCP/IP reset when appropriate.
- Perform a full Network reset. Use the Windows 11 Network reset feature when other troubleshooting steps have failed.
This approach avoids unnecessarily resetting your network configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reset network settings in Windows 11?
Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset, then select Reset now and restart Windows when prompted.
Does Windows 11 network reset delete my files?
No. Network reset is not a Windows factory reset and does not normally delete personal files.
Will I need to reconnect to Wi-Fi after a network reset?
You should be prepared to reconnect to Wi-Fi and enter the wireless password again.
Does network reset fix Wi-Fi problems?
It can fix some Windows networking configuration problems, but it cannot fix every Wi-Fi problem. Router problems, weak signal, interference, and ISP issues may remain.
Does network reset fix packet loss?
It may help when packet loss is caused by local Windows networking configuration, but packet loss can also originate from Wi-Fi, Ethernet, router, ISP, or remote network problems.
Should I reset network settings before restarting my router?
Usually no. Restarting the router and performing basic network checks are less disruptive troubleshooting steps.
What command resets Winsock?
Open an elevated Command Prompt and run:
netsh winsock resetThen restart Windows.
What command resets TCP/IP?
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
netsh int ip resetThen restart Windows.
What is netcfg -d?
netcfg -d performs cleanup on networking devices and requires a reboot. It is an advanced troubleshooting command and should generally not be the first solution for a normal internet connection problem.
Why does my Wi-Fi password not work after network reset?
The saved network configuration may have been removed or changed. Make sure you are entering the correct wireless password and reconnect to the network.
Can network reset fix DNS problems?
It can resolve some local networking configuration problems, but if the issue is specifically DNS-related, checking DNS settings and testing name resolution may be more appropriate.
Final Thoughts
Network reset is a useful Windows 11 troubleshooting feature when ordinary networking fixes do not solve a persistent connection problem.
Before using it, make sure you know your Wi-Fi password and understand that networking configurations may need to be restored afterward.
Start with simple checks such as restarting the router, checking the network adapter, verifying your IP configuration, testing the gateway, and checking packet loss.
If those steps do not solve the problem, use:
Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset
Then select Reset now and restart your PC.
After Windows starts again, reconnect to your network and test the connection.
For advanced troubleshooting, Windows also provides commands such as netsh, pathping, tracert, and netcfg.
A network reset should be considered a troubleshooting tool rather than a first-line solution. Use it when the evidence points toward a Windows networking configuration problem and simpler solutions have already been tried.
Related Articles
- How to Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength in Windows 11
- How to Check Internet Speed in Windows
- How to Check IP Address in Windows 11
- How to Check MAC Address in Windows 11
- How to Check DNS Settings in Windows 11
- How to Check Network Adapter in Windows 11
- How to Ping an IP Address in Windows 11
- How to Check Packet Loss in Windows 11