If you're experiencing problems with your network connection on Windows 11, you may be experiencing issues with the TCP/IP protocol.
In this post, I'll show you how to fix network connection issues on Windows 11 using a few tricks.
I will also provide you with some tips to keep in mind if you experience problems connecting to the internet in the future.
So keep reading to learn everything you need to know about fixing network connection issues on Windows 11.
- Manage and Update your Network Drivers
- Disable Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)
- Disable and Enable the Network Adapter
- Flush the DNS Cache using Command Prompt
- Reset the Network Configuration
- Use the Built-in Troubleshooting Tool
- Disable and Reconnect the Network
- Reset your Router.
How to Fix Network Connection Issues on Windows 11
If you’re facing the “Windows can't connect to this network" error then there are a number of reasons why this issue has cropped up.
However, though the warning looks scary, there are a number of fixes that can get you connected to the internet once again.
Manage and Update your Network Drivers
In most cases, network connection issues can be the result of either a new driver update, while other times it may be due to a pending update for the driver that has to be installed.
Either way, this fix requires you to access the Device Manager tool on Windows and manually update or rollback a recent update on your driver.
How to update network drivers
To update the network drivers on your Windows 11 or 10 computer, follow these steps
- Open the run application by pressing the Windows key + R on your keyboard
- Now type devmgmt.msc and press Enter on the keyboard to launch the Device Manager tool
- Now, tap on Network Adapters and then right click on the primary network driver
- Click on Update driver
- Next, tap on Search Automatically for Drivers
Windows will now search the internet for the latest update and will install that for you.
Rollback the Update for your Driver
If you’re facing issues with the internet post installing an update, then rollback the update to the last known working version.
- Open the run application by pressing the Windows key + R on your keyboard
- Now type devmgmt.msc and press Enter on the keyboard to launch the Device Manager tool
- Now, tap on Network Adapters and then right click on the primary network driver
- Click on Properties
- Next, click on Driver and then tap on Roll Back Driver if you’ve recently had an update.
- Once done, Windows will install the previous version of the network driver.
- Post this, reboot your computer for the changes to take effect
Disable Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)
IPv6 is a built-in protocol that’s not really required for your computer to connect to the internet.
However, there are times where your internet service provider will need you to have IPv6 enabled for you to stay connected to the internet.
Here’s how you can disable IPv6 on your Windows computer.
- Click on the network icon located in the system tray.
- Right click on the icon and then tap on Network and Internet Settings
- Now, click on Advanced Network Setting
- Locate Related Settings on the page and then select More Network Adapter Options
- Right click on your wireless network and then click on Properties
- Locate IPv6 from the box and uncheck the option
- Now click on OK and then reconnect to the internet.
Disable and Enable the Network Adapter
If the network issue still prevails, try resetting the network adapter.
These steps are easy and can be done from within the Advanced Networking Options in Windows.
- Click on the network icon located in the system tray.
- Right click on the icon and then tap on Network and Internet Settings
- Now, click on Advanced Network Setting
- Locate Related Settings on the page and then select More Network Adapter Options
- Right click on the wireless network adapter
- Click on Disable
- Wait for a couple of seconds and then right click on the adapter once again and click Enable
- Reboot the computer and try connecting to the internet once again
Flush the DNS Cache using Command Prompt
If you’re facing the “Windows can’t connect this network” error, then it’s most likely an issue with the IP.
The fix is easy and you’d have to release the UP and flush the DNS cache to get your internet up and running.
- Click on the Start menu icon from the taskbar
- Search for Command Prompt or CMD
- Once you locate the tool, right click and then tap “Run as Administrator”
- When the Command Prompt window appears, type in the following commands in sequence and hit Enter on the keyboard after each command.
- netsh winsock reset
- Netsh int ip reset
- ipconfig/release
- ipconfig/renew
- ipconfig/flushdns
- Close the Command Prompt window and try connecting to the internet again.
Reset the Network Configuration on Windows
One of the quickest fixes to any network connectivity problem is to reset the network configuration to its default settings.
To do this,
- Right click on the Start icon and click on Settings
- Select Network and Internet from the left panel and then choose Advanced Network Settings
- Tap on More Settings and then click on Network Reset
- The configuration will reset and your computer will reboot.
Use the Built-in Troubleshooting Tool
The good thing about Windows as an operating system is that it comes with a built-in troubleshooting tool that can diagnose a number of issues including network connectivity.
To launch the troubleshooting tool and check what’s wrong, follow these steps.
- Click on the Start menu icon from the taskbar
- Search for Network Troubleshooter
- Locate and click on the Find and Fix Network Problems
- In the new window, click on Next at the bottom of the page
- Windows will now auto-detect what’s wrong with your network connection and will have the issue fixed for you.
If the issue does not get fixed, the troubleshooting tool will let you know the origin of the issue so it can be diagnosed and fixed faster.
Disable and Reconnect the Network
Another way you can reset your network is by forgetting the Wi-Fi connection and reconnecting to it. Here’s how you do that
- Click on the Network icon in the system tray
- Tap on Wi-Fi
- Click on the network you’re connected to and then right click on the name to access Additional options
- Click on the Forget option
- Proceed to reconnect to the network by reentering the password
Reset your Router
The final fix for network issues on Windows 11 and 10 is to restart and reset the router.
Resetting the router will fix any issues such as unstable connection and will remove any configuration or settings that might affect the network.
Resetting your router depends on the type of model you have, but they all come with a Reset button built into the router that will get the job done for you.
Press the button and hold it for a couple of seconds and let go. The router will restart and you will be taken back to the router configuration page.
You will now be able to configure the router to your specifications.
Why can’t I connect to a network in Windows 10?
The most common errors on Windows 10 are to do with the Wi-Fi and network. These problems can stem from a wrong password, interference and even hardware or driver issues.
There are many fixes for these issues such as the ones mentioned above, but you’d have to find out what the main cause is before troubleshooting your system.
How do I change the wireless network in Windows 11?
Click the Wi-Fi symbol from the system taskbar and then click on Available to view a list of available networks.
Right click on the network you’re connected to and then disconnect from it.
Now click on another network you’d like to connect to and enter the password to establish your connection.
Takeaway
Many users around the world suffer from network and connectivity issues on their Windows computer. Luckily all of these errors have easy quick fixes that wouldn’t take more than a couple of seconds to rectify.
I hope you have been able to connect to the internet successfully after reading this guide. Take a look at some of the other guides and troubleshooting manuals we’ve covered till now.