How to Reset Network Settings Windows 11 in 5 Steps

On Windows 11, reset network settings in Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset, then restart; use it when Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, VPN, proxy, or DNS problems survive simpler fixes. Network reset removes and reinstalls networking components, so it can help when the saved network state is tangled after several fixes. If you do it carelessly, you can lose VPN profiles, Wi‑Fi passwords, static IPs, and a working adapter setup. This guide shows when the full reset is worth it, what to back up first, and the exact steps to use it safely.

What a broken network looks like in Windows 11

The symptom usually means Windows can see a connection path, but something in the network stack, adapter config, or external link is failing. The fastest thing to try first is adapter disable/enable or the built-in troubleshooter; if the issue survives that, a full reset becomes more reasonable.

Common signs include no internet after connecting, “limited access,” VPN drops, DNS lookups failing while apps still open, or Ethernet that connects but never passes traffic. I have seen those patterns point to saved settings, proxy residue, or adapter configuration more often than to a dead PC.

Likely causes, from most common to least common

• Incompatible internet protocol configuration.
• Corrupted or broken drivers.
• Change in route settings or router damage.
• Cable damage or disconnection.
• Overloaded server.
• Congestion in the network.

When should you use Network Reset, and when should you not?

Use Network Reset when multiple fixes have failed and the problem looks local to the machine: broken VPN routing, a proxy that will not clear, repeated DNS failures, or wireless and Ethernet behaving badly on the same PC. Skip it first if the symptom tracks a single adapter, a single cable, or one driver update.

When adapter rollback or disable/enable is the better first move, start in Device Manager, because a reset does not repair damaged drivers or bad hardware. It also does not fix ISP outages, router faults, or a broken cable. Those need a link check before any reset.

Pause before resetting if the machine uses static IPs, many saved Wi‑Fi networks, VPN-heavy work profiles, or a proxy-dependent business setup. On those systems, the cleanup can be more disruptive than the original fault.

Good cases for a full reset

1. The PC connects, but traffic fails across Wi‑Fi and Ethernet.
2. VPN reconnects fail after settings changes or software removal.
3. Proxy or DNS values were changed and no longer behave.
4. Saved network state looks tangled after several fixes.

When adapter rollback or disable/enable is the better first move

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click the adapter and choose Disable device, then re-enable it.
4. If the issue began after a driver update, choose Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver.

Pre-reset checklist: what to back up first

How do I reset network settings in Windows 11?

Open Settings, go to Network & Internet, then Advanced network settings, and choose Network reset. Click Reset now and wait for the process to complete, then restart your computer.

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Network & Internet.
3. Open Advanced network settings.
4. Select Network reset.
5. Click Reset now and wait for the process to complete.
6. Restart the PC when Windows asks.

Network Reset reinstalls Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, and VPN adapters and returns networking components to default. On Windows 11, the reset action is initiated by clicking Reset now. A restart is required when the process finishes.

What does network reset do in Windows 11?

Network reset removes and reinstalls Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, and VPN adapters, then restores networking components to default. It is useful when the stack itself is tangled, but it also clears saved connection data, so treat it like a clean slate rather than a repair that preserves your profile.

What usually gets removed

• Saved Wi‑Fi networks and passwords.
• Custom DNS settings, proxy settings, and IP configurations.
• Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, and VPN adapters, which are reinstalled.

What usually stays on the PC

• Your personal files.
• Most non-network apps.
• General Windows settings that are not part of networking.

Will resetting network settings delete anything?

Yes. A network reset can delete saved Wi‑Fi networks, may erase custom DNS settings, proxy settings, and IP configurations, and may remove or recreate VPN connections. It does not usually touch files, but it does clear the network data that makes a machine easy to join back to known networks.

Saved Wi‑Fi profiles are the most obvious loss. If the PC moves between home, office, and client sites, the time spent re-entering passwords can be longer than the reset itself. Exporting profiles first is worth it when the device remembers many networks.

How to export saved Wi‑Fi profiles before resetting

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Run netsh wlan show profiles.
3. For each profile, run netsh wlan export profile name="PROFILE_NAME" folder="C:\WiFiBackup".
4. Store the exported files somewhere safe before resetting.

How do I reset network settings from Command Prompt?

Windows 11 does not offer a full Network Reset from Command Prompt. To use the full reset, open Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.

If you need a command-line pass first, restart the PC and use the built-in network troubleshooter before the full reset. Those standard Windows steps can help clear simpler connection problems without changing the reset process.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator only if you need to review adapter details or export Wi‑Fi profiles.
2. Use Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset for the full reset.
3. Restart the PC after the reset completes.
4. If the issue remains, try the built-in troubleshooter before repeating the reset.

Searches for how to reset network settings windows 11 cmd, how to reset network settings windows 11 from command prompt, how to reset network connections windows 11, and how to restart network settings windows 11 usually point to this distinction: commands can repair pieces, but they do not perform the full Network Reset.

Why is my Wi‑Fi still not working after a network reset?

If Wi‑Fi still fails after the reset, the fault is likely outside the saved Windows network state. Check the ISP, modem, router, physical cable, adapter driver, or hardware next; a reset will not fix a dead access point, broken cable, or corrupted driver package.

Reported causes include change in route settings or router damage, cable damage or disconnection, an overloaded server, congestion in the network, incompatible internet protocol configuration, and corrupted or broken drivers. Those issues need a more targeted step than another reset.

If that didn’t work, try this next

1. Check whether other devices can connect to the same network.
2. Test the same PC on a different Wi‑Fi or Ethernet source.
3. Open Device Manager > Network adapters and reinstall or roll back the adapter driver.
4. Run the built-in network troubleshooter before another full reset. (reported by thewindowsclub.com)

For the adapter path, the practical reset sequence is Device Manager > Network adapters > (adapter) > Uninstall device, then scan for hardware changes. That is the right move when the adapter looks broken after a driver update.

Prevention

When a PC uses static IPs, keep a written record of IP, subnet, gateway, DNS, proxy, and VPN details before any network reset.

Do I need to reinstall VPN or custom DNS after a reset?

Usually, yes. Network reset can remove VPN adapters and clear custom DNS settings, so reinstalling the VPN client and re-entering DNS values are common follow-up tasks. If the VPN used a dedicated adapter, expect to reconnect it as if the machine were new.

That matters most for remote workers and business laptops. If a device depends on a company VPN or split-tunnel settings, reset only after the configuration is documented or exported. Proxy settings can also be removed, and they may have been part of the original problem.

What to rebuild after the reset

• VPN client installation and sign-in.
• Custom DNS entries in the adapter properties or app.
• Static IP, gateway, and proxy settings.
• Saved Wi‑Fi passwords for every known network.

Frequently asked questions

How do I reset network settings in Windows 11?

Open Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset, then click Reset now and restart the PC after the process finishes.

What does network reset do in Windows 11?

It reinstalls Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, and VPN adapters and restores networking components to default. That often clears broken saved state, but it also deletes saved Wi‑Fi networks and can erase custom DNS, proxy, and IP settings, so it should be used as a deliberate repair step.

Will resetting network settings delete anything?

Yes. Expect saved Wi‑Fi profiles to disappear, and be ready to re-enter passwords. Custom DNS, proxy, and static IP settings can also be removed, and VPN clients may need reinstalling if their adapters or connection profiles were tied to the reset.

How do I reset network settings in Windows 11 from Command Prompt?

There is no true full Network Reset from Command Prompt in Windows 11. Use Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset, then click Reset now and restart.

Why is my Wi‑Fi still not working after a network reset?

The problem may be outside Windows networking. Check the router, modem, cable, and ISP first, then move to Device Manager and the adapter driver. If the adapter still fails on a different network, hardware or policy restrictions are more likely than saved settings.

Do I need to reinstall VPN or custom DNS after a reset?

Usually yes. Network Reset can clear custom DNS settings and remove VPN adapters, so those details should be restored manually after the reboot. Keep the server name, sign-in method, and DNS values on hand before starting the reset.