How to Reset Network Settings in Windows 11 (Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)

Learn how to reset network settings in Windows 11 step by step to fix Wi-Fi, Ethernet, DNS, VPN, and internet issues fast. Beginner friendly guide.

If your internet suddenly stops working, Wi-Fi disappears, Ethernet won’t connect, or Windows keeps saying “No internet access”, you’re not alone. Network problems in Windows 11 are frustrating — especially when you don’t know what changed.

One of the most effective fixes is to reset network settings Windows 11. It clears corrupted configurations, refreshes adapters, and restores default networking behaviour.

But here’s the problem:
Sometimes the reset option is missing, stuck on “Please wait”, breaks Wi-Fi, removes saved networks, or causes new issues like VPN failure, slow internet, or missing adapters.

That’s why this guide exists.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• How to reset network settings in Windows 11 step by step
• What actually happens when you reset
• How to fix common problems after reset
• Advanced troubleshooting using Command Prompt & PowerShell
• Safety tips and recovery checklist

This guide is written for beginners and power users alike. And as always, TeksOlvr.com focuses on real-world troubleshooting and reliable solutions.

Quick Fix (For Fast Readers)

If you just want the fastest way:

1. Press Windows + I → Open Settings
2. Go to Network & Internet
3. Scroll down → Click Advanced network settings
4. Click Network reset
5. Select Reset now
6. Restart your PC

This works for most cases like:

• Wi-Fi not connecting
• Ethernet disconnected
• DNS issues
• Proxy problems
• Network cache corruption

If it doesn’t work or causes new issues, continue reading — we’ll fix everything.

Why Network Problems Happen in Windows 11

Understanding the root cause helps avoid repeated issues.

Common Causes

• Corrupted TCP/IP configuration
• Broken network drivers after updates
• VPN or proxy conflicts
• Malware or firewall misconfiguration
• Power outages or router changes
• Incorrect DNS settings
• Wi-Fi profile corruption
• Driver incompatibility
• Network cache overload

This is why users often ask:

• why network reset not fixing internet Windows 11
• windows 11 network reset not working how to fix
• windows 11 ethernet not working after network reset
• windows 11 Wi-Fi disappears after network reset fix

A reset clears most of these automatically.

What Does Network Reset Actually Do?

Before you proceed, understand what happens.

Network Reset Will:

• Remove all network adapters
• Delete saved Wi-Fi networks
• Reset VPN and proxy settings
• Restore default firewall network profiles
• Reinstall network drivers automatically

Network Reset Will NOT:

• Delete personal files
• Remove Windows apps
• Damage hardware
• Remove your Windows account

Many users ask: does network reset delete drivers Windows 11?
No — Windows reinstalls them automatically after reboot.

How to Reset Network Settings in Windows 11 Step by Step

This is the official method — perfect for beginners and laptops.

Method 1: Using Settings App

1. Press Windows + I
2. Click Network & Internet
3. Scroll → Click Advanced network settings
4. Select Network reset
5. Click Reset now
6. Confirm → Restart PC

If you’re wondering how long does network reset take Windows 11, it usually takes 2–5 minutes.

This is the safest way to reset network settings Windows 11 laptop, desktop, and Home Edition.

 If Network Reset Option Is Missing or Greyed Out

Many users face:

• windows 11 network reset missing option fix
• windows 11 network reset not showing in settings
• windows 11 network settings greyed out fix

Fix:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type:

ms-settings:network-advancedsettings

3. Press Enter

If it still doesn’t appear, move to CMD method below.

Method 2: Reset Network Using Command Prompt (CMD)

Useful when Settings is broken.

Steps:

1. Search CMD
2. Right-click → Run as Administrator
3. Enter commands one by one:

• netsh winsock reset
• netsh int ip reset
• ipconfig /release
• ipconfig /renew
• ipconfig /flushdns

Restart your PC.

This method answers:

• reset network settings Windows 11 CMD command
• how to reset TCP-IP in Windows 11 network issues

Method 3: Reset Using PowerShell

Advanced users may prefer PowerShell.

1. Right-click Start → Windows Terminal (Admin)
2. Run:

Get-NetAdapter | Restart-NetAdapter

For full reset:

netsh int ip reset

This supports:

• how to reset network settings Windows 11 using PowerShell

Fix Common Problems After Network Reset

Here are the most frequent issues and fixes.

Fix 1: Wi-Fi Not Connecting After Reset

Symptoms:

• reset network settings Windows 11 Wi-Fi not connecting
• windows 11 cannot connect to this network after reset
• windows 11 Wi-Fi limited access after network reset

Solution:

1. Go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi
2. Click Manage known networks
3. Remove old network
4. Reconnect manually

Fix 2: No Internet After Network Reset

Solution:

Run in CMD:

ipconfig /all

If IP shows 169.x.x.x → router DHCP issue. Restart router.

Fix 3: Ethernet Not Working After Reset

Issue:

• windows 11 network reset breaks ethernet driver fix

Solution:

1. Device Manager → Network adapters
2. Right-click Ethernet → Update driver
3. If missing → Scan for hardware changes

Fix 4: Network Reset Stuck on “Please Wait”

Issue:

• windows 11 network reset stuck please wait fix

Solution:

Restart PC → Use CMD method instead.

Fix 5: Wi-Fi Disappears After Reset

Issue:

• windows 11 Wi-Fi disappears after network reset fix

Solution:

Enable adapter in Device Manager or reinstall Wi-Fi driver.

Fix 6: VPN Not Connecting After Reset

Issue:

• windows 11 VPN not connecting after network reset

Solution:

Reinstall VPN software and reconfigure credentials.

Fix 7: DNS Issues or Slow Internet

Issue:

• windows 11 DNS issues after network reset
• how to fix slow internet after network reset Windows 11

Solution:

Set DNS manually:

• 8.8.8.8
• 8.8.4.4

Advanced Fixes (If Nothing Works)

Clear Network Cache

ipconfig /flushdns

Useful for:

• how to clear network cache Windows 11 reset

Restore Network Drivers

Download drivers from laptop manufacturer website.

Fixes:

• windows 11 network adapter missing after reset fix

Undo Network Reset

There is no direct undo, but you can manually reconfigure networks and VPNs.

Addresses:

• how to undo network reset in Windows 11

Reset Without Restart (Limited)

Some adapters can be restarted manually but full reset requires reboot.

FAQs

1. Is reset network settings Windows 11 safe or not?

Yes, it’s completely safe. It only resets networking configurations.

2. Does network reset delete drivers Windows 11?

No. Windows reinstalls drivers automatically.

3. How long does network reset take Windows 11?

Usually 2–5 minutes including restart.

4. Why network reset not fixing internet Windows 11?

It may be router issues, driver corruption, or ISP outage.

5. Can I reset network settings Windows 11 without admin?

No. Administrator access is required.

6. Does network reset remove saved Wi-Fi?

Yes. You’ll need to reconnect.

7. What if Windows 11 network reset failed error 0x800?

Use CMD reset method or reinstall network drivers.

8. Can network reset fix Bluetooth issues?

Sometimes yes, but Bluetooth may need driver reinstall.

Conclusion

Knowing how to reset network settings in Windows 11 can save hours of frustration. Whether you’re dealing with Wi-Fi issues, Ethernet failures, DNS errors, VPN problems, or missing adapters — this guide covers everything step by step.

If your reset didn’t work the first time, don’t panic. Use the advanced fixes, CMD commands, and recovery checklist.

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