How to Reset Network Settings on Windows 11

Are you facing connectivity issues? Follow these instructions to reset network settings on your Windows 11 and fix the connectivity problems.

The network settings on the PC manages internet connectivity. However, in some cases, due to outdated network adapters and incompatible configuration issues like slow connection and dropped connection, no wireless connectivity occurs. If you are also encountering similar problems, resetting the network adapter is the best way to troubleshoot the problem.

This tutorial will explain how to reset the Network settings.

Reasons for Network Connectivity Issues

• Server overload.
• Network congestion.
• Corrupt router settings.
• Incompatible internet protocol configuration.
• Multiple wireless connections.
• Broken drivers.

Best Ways to Reset Network Settings

1. Run Network Troubleshooter

To reset and repair the network adapter in Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + I  to open Windows Settings.

2. Click Network & internet option present in the left pane. Select Advanced network settings from the right pane.

3. Under Advanced network settings,> click More settings > select Network reset.

Note: Network reset feature resets all network adapters to their factory settings.

4. Click Reset now to move ahead.

5. You will get a new window where you need to confirm the action. If you are sure you want to reset network settings click Yes to continue.

6. Windows will not reset the network adapter settings.

7. Restart Windows to apply changes.

Remember if you use a Wi-Fi network you’ll need to re-enter the password to connect. Also, if you are setting up with DHCP, you will need to enter IP addresses.

That’s it; using the above steps, you can reset network settings on Windows 11.

2. Update Network Driver

In addition to following the above method, we suggest updating the network driver. This can be done either manually or automatically.

To manually update the driver follow the steps below:

1. Press Windows + X > Device Manager
2. Double click Network adapters > select the network device name > right-click > Update driver

1. Select the first option that reads Search automatically for drivers.
   
   
2. Wait for Windows to look for a driver update. When done, restart the system and then try to connect to the internet.

This should fix the network issue.

Method 2 – Automatically updating network driver.

If the above steps are too much work for you, try using a driver updating utility to update network drivers automatically. To learn how to do that, follow the steps below:

1. Download and install Advanced Driver Updater.
2. Launch the tool.
3. Click the Start Scan Now button and wait for the scanning to finish.
4. Review scan results and update the network driver. If you are using the trial version, you can click the Update driver next to the network adapter. However, if you are using the registered version, you can update all outdated drivers at once by clicking the Update All button.
5. Restart the system to apply changes.

The above steps will update the network driver and fix network connectivity issues.

How to Automatically Connect to the Internet After a Reset

When network settings are reset, the computer’s TCP/IP settings are set to Automatic. This way, your system automatically detects network settings and connects to the internet after a reset.

In case your system doesn’t reconnect, follow these steps to configure the settings.

1. Press Windows + I Network & internet
2. Double click Ethernet.

3. Click the down arrow next to Network to show your TCP/IP.

4. Scroll down and look for IP assignment > verify Automatic (DHCP). If you cannot find it, click Edit at the right.

5. On the new window that appears, click the drop-down menu and change the settings from Manual to Automatic (DHCP).

When done, the system will automatically detect and connect to the internet.

What does resetting Network settings do?

Resetting network settings will do the following things. Therefore, make sure you have all the details with you because you will need them later.

• Network adapter settings will be removed, and they will go back to default settings.
• All the configuration settings for every single adapter will be restored.

Conclusion

We hope using the steps explained above, you can reset network settings. Once that is done, you can connect to the network and go online. The above steps reset network settings and will resolve internet connectivity issues.

While there are other ways, you can fix the issue easily using the Windows network troubleshooter and updating drivers.

FAQs:

What happens when I reset network settings in Windows 11?
A network reset removes all saved Wi-Fi networks, VPN profiles, and custom network settings. It reinstalls network adapters and restores default configurations. After the reset, you need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and reconfigure VPNs if used.

Will resetting network settings fix internet connection problems?
In many cases, yes. A network reset can resolve issues caused by corrupted drivers, incorrect configurations, or failed updates. However, it may not fix problems caused by your router or internet service provider.

Do I need administrator access to reset network settings?
Yes. Resetting network settings requires administrator privileges since it makes system-level changes. Without admin access, the reset option will not be available.