Resetting network settings on Windows 11 feels kind of like giving your PC a clean slate for connectivity. Sometimes, your Wi-Fi or Ethernet just won’t connect right, or maybe speeds are weirdly slow, and no matter what you try, things stay flaky. Doing a reset wipes out all those quirky configurations and restores everything to default—fingers crossed, that sorts out the mess. It’s useful after updates, driver issues, or if your network adapter acts up without obvious cause.
How to Reset Network Settings on Windows 11
Honestly, it’s not a rocket science process, but Windows has a way of hiding some options behind menus that aren’t super obvious. The point is to get rid of all your custom network configs—like saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPNs, or custom DNS—and let Windows set things up fresh. Expect your PC to restart afterward, and yeah, you’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi manually because all those remembered networks disappear. On some setups, the reset feels like fixing Wi-Fi drops, Ethernet issues, or VPN connection flaps that refuse to cooperate.
Accessing the network reset option
- Open Settings from the Start menu or press Win + I.
- Navigate to Network & Internet. It’s usually right there in the sidebar or main menu.
- Scroll down and click on Advanced network settings.
- Find and click on Network reset. Sometimes it’s buried in the list or under the “More settings” link if you’re on earlier builds.
Performing the reset
- Click the big Reset now button. Windows will pop up a warning—this is your cue to save anything you need because the reset will wipe network configs.
- Confirm by clicking Yes. Your PC will then disconnect from all networks, uninstall network adapters, and restart to finish the reset.
Once the reboot is done, your Windows will have restored network defaults, which usually helps in resolving stubborn connectivity issues. Expect to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and reconfigure any custom network setups afterward. Honestly, on some machines, it takes a reboot or two, but in general, this is a reliable cleanup option.
Tips for Resetting Network Settings on Windows 11
- Make sure you’ve got all your Wi-Fi passwords saved somewhere—because they’ll go poof after the reset.
- If you’re on a corporate or work device, double-check with IT policies first, just in case.
- After the reset, if you’re still having issues, try disabling and re-enabling your network adapter via Device Manager—sometimes that quick toggle helps.
- It’s worth doing a quick troubleshooter first—go to Settings > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Network Adapter and run that before a reset.
- And remember, a simple restart after the reset can clear occasional lingering glitches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resetting network settings delete my saved networks?
Yeah, it wipes out all saved Wi-Fi networks, passwords, VPN configs—pretty much everything stored under network info. So, jot down passwords beforehand if you need them later.
Can this fix slow or unreliable internet?
It can help if weird stuff like drops or extremely slow speeds started after some update or config change—kind of like a fresh restart for network settings. But if speeds are a hardware issue or ISP problem, reset might not do much.
Is it safe to reset network settings?
Mostly, yes. It’s a safe bet to fix connectivity bugs. Just be prepared to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks afterward and re-enter passwords.
How often should I do this?
Only when connectivity issues get persistent and other troubleshooting didn’t work. If your network’s behaving badly all the time, this often helps get things back on track.
Will I lose my personal files?
Nope. This only affects network configs. Your documents, photos, apps—those stay intact.
Summary
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet.
- Head to Advanced network settings.
- Choose Network reset and hit Reset now.
- Confirm, then wait for your PC to restart and be fresh network-wise.
Wrap-up
Honestly, resetting network settings isn’t the worst thing in the world when your Windows 11 machine refuses to stay connected. It’s a clean, no-nonsense way to clear out those stubborn configs and get back to a working state. Of course, be ready to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks and reconfigure some settings after, but in many cases, it just does the trick. Sometimes, this hint is all it takes to fix flaky connections or odd behaviors that nothing else could fix.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone or at least points in the right direction. If your connection still acts up after this, maybe try updating your network drivers or checking your router—sometimes the fix is elsewhere.