Fix network connection issues in Windows

Try these things first to help you fix or narrow down the connection problem.

• Make sure Wi‑Fi is on. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Network & Internet  > Wi‑Fi  to check. Under the Wi-Fi  heading, the toggle should be switched to On. Under that, it should say that your network is connected. If it doesn't say that, select Show available networks, and if a network you expect to see appears in the list, select it, and then select Connect. If it does say it's connected, select Disconnect, wait a moment, and then select Connect again.

• Make sure the physical Wi‑Fi switch on your laptop is turned on. (An indicator light usually shows when it's on.)

• Make sure airplane mode is turned off. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Network & Internet   > Airplane mode  and turn off airplane mode if it's on.

• Move closer to the router or access point.

• You may be able to connect to a cellular data network instead. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Network & Internet , and see if Cellular appears in the list of settings. 

• Restart your modem and wireless router. This helps create a new connection to your internet service provider (ISP).

  
  When you do this, everyone that is connected to your Wi-Fi network will be temporarily disconnected. The steps you take to restart your modem and router can vary, but here are the general steps:

  1. Unplug the power cable for the router from the power source.
  2. Unplug the power cable for the modem from the power source.
     
     Some modems have a backup battery. If you unplug the modem and lights stay on, remove the battery from the modem.
  3. Wait at least 30 seconds or so.
     
     If you had to remove the battery from the modem, put it back in.
  4. Plug the modem back into the power source. The lights on the modem will blink. Wait for them to stop blinking.
  5. Plug your router back into the power source.
     
     Wait a few minutes for the modem and router to fully power on. You can usually tell when they’re ready by looking at the status lights on the two devices.
  6. On your PC, try to connect again.
• Generate a wireless network report. This report can help you diagnose the problem, or at least provide you with more information to give to others who might be able to help.
   

  This action creates an HTML file that you can open in your web browser from the location listed under the command prompt. For more info about the network report and how to analyze it, see Analyze the wireless network report in Fix Wi-Fi problems in Windows 10.

  1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Command prompt.  The Command Prompt button will appear. To the right of it, select Run as administrator > Yes.
  2. At the command prompt, type netsh wlan show wlanreport, and then select Enter.
• Make sure it’s not a problem with your cable modem or internet service provider (ISP).
   
  1. If it is, contact your ISP. In the search box on the taskbar, type Command prompt.  The Command Prompt button will appear. To the right of it, select Run as administrator > Yes.
  2. At the command prompt, type ipconfig, and then select Enter.
     
     Look for the IP address listed next to Default gateway. Write down that address if you need to. For example: 192.168.1.1
  3. At the prompt, type ping <DefaultGateway> and then select Enter. For example, type ping 192.168.1.1 and select Enter. The result should be something like this:
      

     Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64

     Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64

     Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64

     Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64

     Ping statistics for 192.168.1.1: Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss), Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds: Minimum = 4ms, Maximum = 5ms, Average = 4ms

     If the ping is successful and you see results similar to the results above, but can’t connect to the internet on your PC, there may be a problem with your modem or internet service provider (ISP).

• Make sure your router is set to broadcast the network name.

  1. Connect your PC to the router using an Ethernet cable.

  2. Open a web browser and type the IP address for your wireless router. (For example, 192.168.1.1 or 172.16.0.0—check the documentation for your router to find the default IP address.)

  3. Sign in with your user name and password, then make sure an option labeled Enable SSID Broadcast, Wireless SSID broadcast, or something similar is turned on. This setting is often on a Wireless Settings page.

The Network troubleshooter can help diagnose and fix common connection problems. Using this troubleshooter, then running some networking commands afterwards if needed, can help get you connected.

To run the Network troubleshooter

1. Select the Start  button > Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
2. Under Change your network settings, select Network troubleshooter.
3. Follow the steps in the troubleshooter, and see if that fixes the problem.

If that doesn’t fix your connection problem, try these things:

• Reset the TCP/IP stack
• Release the IP address
• Renew the IP address
• Flush and reset the DNS client resolver cache

To run the above networking commands in a command prompt window

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Command prompt.  The Command Prompt button will appear. To the right of it, select Run as administrator > Yes.
2. At the command prompt, run the following commands in the listed order, and then check to see if that fixes your connection problem:
   • Type netsh winsock reset and select Enter.
   • Type netsh int ip reset and select Enter.
   • Type ipconfig /release and select Enter.
   • Type ipconfig /renew and select Enter.
   • Type ipconfig /flushdns and select Enter.

If you were connected before and you recently installed a new network adapter driver, this could cause connection problems. It can also happen if you've installed an update to Windows that might have included an updated driver. In either case, rolling back your driver to a previous version might help.

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Device Manager, and then select Device Manager from the list of results.
2. Expand Network adapters, and locate the network adapter for your device.
3. Select the network adapter, and then select Properties.
4. In Properties, select the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver, and then follow the steps.

   
   If the Roll Back Driver appears dimmed, that means there's no driver to roll back to.

5. After rolling back to the previous version of the driver, select the Start  button > Power  > Restart if you're asked to restart, and see if that fixes the connection issue.

If Windows can’t find a new driver for your network adapter, visit the PC manufacturer’s website and download the latest network adapter driver from there. If your PC can't connect to the internet, you'll need to download a driver on a different PC and save it to a USB flash drive. From the USB you can manually install the driver on your PC. You’ll need to know the PC manufacturer and model name or number. To learn how to manually install the driver, see the previous section.

An outdated or incompatible network adapter driver can cause connection problems. If you recently upgraded, it's possible that the current driver was designed for a previous version of Windows. It can also happen if you recently updated Windows 10. In either case, check to see if an updated driver is available.

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Device Manager, and then select Device Manager from the list of results.
2. Expand Network adapters, and locate the network adapter for your device.
3. Select the network adapter, select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software, and then follow the instructions.
4. After installing the updated driver, select the Start button > Power  > Restart if you're asked to restart, and see if that fixes the connection issue.

If Windows can’t find a new driver for your network adapter, visit the PC manufacturer’s website and download the latest network adapter driver from there. If your PC can't connect to the internet, you'll need to download a driver on a different PC and save it to a USB flash drive. From the USB, you can manually install the driver on your PC. You’ll need to know the PC manufacturer and model name or number.

To manually install the network adapter driver

Do one of the following, depending on what kind of file you downloaded from the PC manufacturer’s website:

• If you downloaded an executable (.exe) file, just double-click the file to run it and install the drivers. That should be all you need to do.
• If you downloaded individual files, and at least one file has an .inf file name extension and another has a .sys extension, do the following:
   
  1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Device Manager, and then select Device Manager from the list of results.
  2. Expand Network adapters, and locate the network adapter for your device. (If the network adapter isn’t listed under Network adapters, expand Other devices and look for it there.)
  3. Select the network adapter, and then select Update driver > Browse my computer for driver software.
  4. Select Browse > select the location where the driver files are stored > OK.
  5. Select Next > follow the steps to install the driver > Close.
  6. After you've updated the driver, select the Start button > Power  > Restart if you're asked to restart, and see if that fixes the connection issue.

Sometimes firewall software might prevent you from getting connected. You can see if the connection issue is caused by a firewall by turning off the firewall temporarily and then trying to visit a website you trust.

The steps to turn off a firewall depend on the firewall software you’re using. Check the documentation for your firewall software to learn how to turn it off. Make sure you turn it back on as soon as you can. Not having a firewall turned on makes your PC more vulnerable to malicious hackers, worms, or viruses.

If you have trouble turning off your firewall, do the following (just be sure to turn your firewall back on as soon as you can):

To turn off all firewalls

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Command prompt.  The Command Prompt button will appear. To the right of it, select Run as administrator > Yes.
2. At the command prompt, type netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off, and then select Enter.
3. Open your web browser, and visit a website you trust to see if you can connect to it.
4. To turn on all firewalls you might have installed, at the command prompt, type netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state on, and then select Enter.

If you find the firewall software is causing the connection issues, contact the software manufacturer or visit their website to see if updated software is available.

Sometimes antivirus or malware-prevention software might prevent you from getting connected. You can see if the connection issue is caused by antivirus and malware-prevention software by turning it off temporarily and then trying to visit a website you trust. If you find it is causing the connection issues, contact the software manufacturer or visit their website to see if updated software is available.

The steps to turn off antivirus or malware-prevention software depend on the software you’re using. Check the documentation for your software to learn how to turn it off. Make sure you turn it back on as soon as possible. Not having antivirus or malware-prevention software turned on makes your PC more vulnerable to malicious hackers, worms, or viruses.

If you’re not sure what antivirus or malware-prevention software program you have installed, Windows might be able to tell you.

To find out what antivirus or malware-prevention software is installed

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type System and security, and then select Review your computer’s status and resolve issues.
2. Select the down arrow next to Security.
    

   If Windows can detect your antivirus software, it's listed under Virus protection. For malware-prevention software, look under Spyware and unwanted software protection.

3. If the antivirus or malware-prevention software is on, check the documentation for that software to learn how to turn it off.

Make sure you turn your antivirus or malware-prevention software back on as soon as you can to make sure your PC is better protected.

If the previous steps didn’t work, try to uninstall the network adapter driver, and then restart your computer. Windows will automatically install the latest driver. Consider this approach if your network connection stopped working properly after a recent update.

Before uninstalling, make sure you have drivers available as a backup. Visit the PC manufacturer’s website and download the latest network adapter driver from there. If your PC can't connect to the internet, you'll need to download a driver on a different PC and save it to a USB flash drive so you can install the driver on your PC. You’ll need to know the PC manufacturer and model name or number.

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Device Manager, and then select Device Manager from the list of results.
2. Expand Network adapters, and locate the network adapter for your device.
3. Select the network adapter, and then select Uninstall device > the Delete the driver software for this device check box > Uninstall.
4. After uninstalling the driver, select the Start button > Power  > Restart.
    

   After your PC restarts, Windows will automatically look for and install the network adapter driver. Check to see if that fixes your connection problem. If Windows doesn't automatically install a driver, try to install the backup driver you saved before uninstalling.

Using network reset should be the last step you try. Consider using it if the steps above don’t help to get you connected.

This can help solve connection problems you might have after upgrading from a previous version of Windows to Windows 10. I can also fix the problem of being able to connect to the internet but not to shared network drives. It removes any network adapters you have installed and the settings for them. After your PC restarts, any network adapters are reinstalled, and the settings for them are set to the defaults.

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Network & Internet  > Status > Network reset.
2. On the Network reset screen, select Reset now > Yes to confirm.

   Wait for your PC to restart, and see if that fixes the problem.

If the previous suggestions don’t fix the problem, let us know by sending feedback in the Feedback Hub.

Please provide detailed info, such as a description of the problem, screenshots, log files, and any other info that might be helpful. In the Feedback Hub, select the appropriate category and subcategory, for example, Networks and Connecting to a Wi-Fi network.

Open Feedback Hub

For more info, see Send feedback to Microsoft with the Feedback Hub app.

• Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, select Settings, then select the Network icon.
  2. Turn on Wi-Fi.
• Make sure the physical Wi‑Fi switch on your laptop is turned on. (An indicator light usually shows when it's on.)
• Make sure your PC isn’t in airplane mode.
  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, select Settings, then select the Network icon.
  2. Turn off Airplane mode.
• Move closer to the router or access point if you can.
• If you don’t see the network name at all, the router or access point might not be set to broadcast the network name. In this case, you’ll need to connect to it manually.
  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then select Settings.
  2. Select the Network icon, and then select Hidden network.
  3. Type the network name and select Next.
  4. Type the password and select Next.
  5. Follow any additional instructions to get connected.
• The network will be added to your list of networks and will be available to connect to when your computer is in range of the network. To connect to the network, follow these steps:
  1. Open Connect to a Network by selecting the network icon in the notification area.
  2. Select Unnamed Network, select Connect, and then type the network information. The network will be added to your list of networks and will be available to connect to in the future when your computer is in range of the network..

Let Windows try to help you fix the problem. Try running the Network troubleshooter to see if it can diagnose and fix the problem.

Select the Start  button, start typing Network problems, and then select Identify and repair network problems in the list.

The Network Troubleshooter (mentioned above) can help diagnose and fix common connection problems. After using that, try running the network commands below because the combination of doing these two things can help you get connected.

If your problem isn’t fixed after running the Network troubleshooter, try to:

• Reset the TCP/IP stack.
• Release the IP address.
• Renew the IP address.
• Flush and reset the DNS client resolver cache.

Here's how to run networking commands in a command prompt:

1. Select the Start  button, start typing cmd, right-click Command Prompt in the list, select Run as Administrator, and then select Yes.

2. At the command prompt, run the following commands in the listed order and then check to see if that fixes your connection problem:
   • Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
   • Type netsh int ip reset and press Enter.
   • Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
   • Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
   • Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.

This helps create a new connection to your Internet service provider (ISP). When you do this, everyone that is connected to your Wi-Fi network will be temporarily disconnected.

The steps you take to restart your modem and router can vary, but here are the general steps:

1. Unplug the power cable for the router from the power source.
2. Unplug the power cable for the modem from the power source.
   
   Some modems have a backup battery. So if you unplug the modem and lights stay on, remove the battery from the modem.
3. Wait at least 30 seconds or so.
   
   If you had to remove the battery from the modem, put it back in.
4. Plug the modem back into the power source. The lights on the modem will blink. Wait for them to stop blinking.
5. Plug your router back into the power source.
   
   Wait a few minutes for the modem and router to fully power on. You can usually tell when they’re ready by looking at the status lights on the two devices.
6. On your PC, try to connect again.

Make sure it’s not a problem with your cable modem or Internet service provider (ISP). If it is, contact your ISP.

1. Select the Start  button, start typing cmd, right-click Command Prompt in the list, select Run as Administrator, and then select Yes.
2. At the command prompt, type ipconfig.
   
   Look for the IP address listed next to Default gateway. Write down that address if you need to. For example, 192.168.1.1.
3. At the prompt, type ping <Default gateway> and press Enter. For example, type ping 192.168.1.1 and press Enter.
   
   The result should be something like this:
   
   Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64
   Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64
   Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64
   Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64
   Ping statistics for 192.168.1.1: Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss), Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds: Minimum = 4ms, Maximum = 5ms, Average = 4ms

If you’re still having trouble connecting to a network, it might be related to your network adapter.

• Try using the Network Adapter troubleshooter to automatically find and fix some problems. This troubleshooter will disable and re-enable the adapter, and try some other common repairs. 
  
  Select the Start  button, start typing Troubleshooting, and then select Troubleshooting in the list. Select View all > Network Adapter.
• Update the network adapter driver. An outdated or incompatible network adapter driver can cause connection problems. Check to see if an updated driver is available.
  1. Select the Start  button, start typing Device Manager, and then select it in the list.
  2. In Device Manager, select Network adapters, right-click your adapter, and then select Properties.
  3. Select the Driver tab, and then select Update Driver.
  4. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

Here are some things to check and try with your router if you’re at home and having trouble getting connected.

• If you don't see the network name, sign in to your router and check to see if it’s set to broadcast the network name.

  1. Connect your PC to your router using an Ethernet cable.
  2. Open your web browser and type the IP address for your wireless router. (For example, 192.168.1.1 or 172.16.0.0—check the documentation for your router to find the default IP address.)
  3. Sign in with your user name and password, then make sure an option labeled Enable SSID Broadcast, Wireless SSID broadcast, or something similar is turned on. This setting is often on a Wireless Settings page.

• Check to see if your Wi-Fi network uses Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering for security. If it does, you’ll need to add the MAC address for your PC to the access list on your router before you can connect.

  1. Select the Start  button. Start typing cmd and right-click Command Prompt in the list. Select Run as Administrator, and then select Yes.

  2. At the command prompt, type ipconfig /all.
     
     Write down the address that appears next to Physical Address for your wireless network adapter. This is the address you’ll need to add to the access list on your router.

  To add the MAC address to the access list on your router:

  1. Open your web browser and type the IP address for your wireless router. (For example, 192.168.1.1 or 172.16.0.0—check the documentation for your router to find the default IP address.)
  2. Sign in with your user name and password, then look for a setting that says MAC Address Filter or something similar.
  3. Add the MAC address you wrote down for your PC to the access list and save your changes.
   
  On your PC, try to connect to the Wi-Fi network again.

• Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
  1. On a laptop, open Windows Mobility Center by selecting the Start 
     
      button and then selecting Control Panel > Mobile PC > Windows Mobility Center.
  2. Look in the Wireless Network section. If Wi-Fi is on, the button should say Turn wireless off.
• Make sure the physical Wi‑Fi switch on your laptop is turned on. (An indicator light usually shows when it's on.)
• Check and make sure your PC isn’t in airplane mode.
• Move closer to the router or access point if you can.
• If you don’t see the network name at all, the router or access point might not be set to broadcast the network name. In this case, you’ll need to connect to it manually.
  1. Open Manage Wireless Networks by selecting the Start 
     
      button, and then selecting Control Panel. In the search box, type wireless and then select Manage wireless networks.
  2. Select Add, and then select Manually create a network profile.
  3. Type the network information.
  4. If you want Windows to automatically connect when the network is in range, select the Start this connection automatically check box.
  5. Select the Connect even if the network is not broadcasting check box, select Next, and then select Close.
• The network will be added to your list of networks and will be available to connect to when your computer is in range of the network. To connect to the network, follow these steps:
  1. Open Connect to a Network by selecting the network icon in the notification area.
  2. Select Unnamed Network, select Connect, and then type the network information. The network will be added to your list of networks and will be available to connect to in the future when your computer is in range of the network..

Let Windows try to help you fix the problem. Try running the Network troubleshooter to see if it can diagnose and fix the problem.

Open the Network troubleshooter by right-clicking the network icon in the notification area and then selecting Troubleshoot problems.

The Network Troubleshooter (mentioned above) can help diagnose and fix common connection problems. After using that, try running the network commands below because the combination of doing these two things can help you get connected.

If your problem isn’t fixed after running the Network troubleshooter, try to:

• Reset the TCP/IP stack.
• Release the IP address.
• Renew the IP address.
• Flush and reset the DNS client resolver cache.

Here's how to run networking commands in a command prompt:

1. Select the Start button 

   
   . Type cmd in the search box, right-click cmd in the list, select Run as administrator, and then select Yes.

2. At the command prompt, run the following commands in the listed order and then check to see if that fixes your connection problem:
   • Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
   • Type netsh int ip reset and press Enter.
   • Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
   • Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
   • Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.

This helps create a new connection to your Internet service provider (ISP). When you do this, everyone that is connected to your Wi-Fi network will be temporarily disconnected.

The steps you take to restart your modem and router can vary, but here are the general steps:

1. Unplug the power cable for the router from the power source.
2. Unplug the power cable for the modem from the power source.
   
   Some modems have a backup battery. So if you unplug the modem and lights stay on, remove the battery from the modem.
3. Wait at least 30 seconds or so.
   
   If you had to remove the battery from the modem, put it back in.
4. Plug the modem back into the power source. The lights on the modem will blink. Wait for them to stop blinking.
5. Plug your router back into the power source.
   
   Wait a few minutes for the modem and router to fully power on. You can usually tell when they’re ready by looking at the status lights on the two devices.
6. On your PC, try to connect again.

Make sure it’s not a problem with your cable modem or Internet service provider (ISP). If it is, contact your ISP.

1. Select the Start button
   
   . Type cmd in the search box, right-click cmd in the list, select Run as administrator, and then select Yes.
2. At the command prompt, type ipconfig.
   
   Look for the IP address listed next to Default gateway. Write down that address if you need to. For example, 192.168.1.1.
3. At the prompt, type ping <Default gateway> and press Enter. For example, type ping 192.168.1.1 and press Enter.
   
   The result should be something like this:
   
   Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64
   Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64
   Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64
   Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64
   Ping statistics for 192.168.1.1: Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss), Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds: Minimum = 4ms, Maximum = 5ms, Average = 4ms

If you’re still having trouble connecting to a network, it might be related to your network adapter.

• Try using the Network Adapter troubleshooter to automatically find and fix some problems. This troubleshooter will disable and re-enable the adapter, and try some other common repairs.
  
  Open the Network Adapter troubleshooter by selecting the Start button
  
  and then selecting Control Panel. In the search box, type troubleshooter and then select Troubleshooting > View all > Network Adapter.
• Update the network adapter driver. An outdated or incompatible network adapter driver can cause connection problems. Check to see if an updated driver is available.
  1. Open Device Manager by selecting the Start button
     
     , selecting Control Panel, selecting System and Security, and then, under System, selecting Device Manager 
     
     . If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  2. In Device Manager, select Network adapters, right-click your adapter, and then select Properties.
  3. Select the Driver tab, and then select Update Driver.
  4. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

Here are some things to check and try with your router if you’re at home and having trouble getting connected.

• If you don't see the network name, sign in to your router and check to see if it’s set to broadcast the network name.

  1. Connect your PC to your router using an Ethernet cable.
  2. Open your web browser and type the IP address for your wireless router. (For example, 192.168.1.1 or 172.16.0.0—check the documentation for your router to find the default IP address.)
  3. Sign in with your user name and password, then make sure an option labeled Enable SSID Broadcast, Wireless SSID broadcast, or something similar is turned on. This setting is often on a Wireless Settings page.

• Check to see if your Wi-Fi network uses Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering for security. If it does, you’ll need to add the MAC address for your PC to the access list on your router before you can connect.

  1. Select the Start 

     
      button. Type cmd in the search box and right-click cmd in the list. Select Run as administrator, and then select Yes.

  2. At the command prompt, type ipconfig /all.
     
     Write down the address that appears next to Physical Address for your wireless network adapter. This is the address you’ll need to add to the access list on your router.

  To add the MAC address to the access list on your router:

  1. Open your web browser and type the IP address for your wireless router. (For example, 192.168.1.1 or 172.16.0.0—check the documentation for your router to find the default IP address.)
  2. Sign in with your user name and password, then look for a setting that says MAC Address Filter or something similar.
  3. Add the MAC address you wrote down for your PC to the access list and save your changes.
   
  On your PC, try to connect to the Wi-Fi network again.