Fix Can’t Connect to This Network Error in Windows 11

Having trouble with network errors in Windows 11 can stop you from doing online tasks. This includes going through emails or watching your top shows. Identifying the cause is vital, whether it’s too many devices connected, needing a special login, or the Wi-Fi being off. These can all impact how well your network works.

This guide gives you clear steps to fix the “can’t connect to this network” error in Windows 11. We’ll cover basic things like making sure your Wi-Fi is on and not in Airplane mode. We’ll also show you how to handle your Wi-Fi connections and how to reboot your modem and router correctly. We aim to get your connection up and running smoothly again!

Initial Basic Steps to Resolve Network Connection Issues

When fixing network issues on a Windows 11 device, start with some simple steps. These can solve basic problems and help with harder ones. Follow these initial steps to figure out and fix your connectivity problems.

Check Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode Settings

First, check if your Wi-Fi is on. Click the network icon in the taskbar to see if Wi-Fi is active. Also, turn off Airplane Mode to enable wireless communications, including Wi-Fi. You can find this setting via the network icon or go to Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane Mode.

Manage Wi-Fi Connections

Next, pick the right Wi-Fi network. If your device can use 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, switch between them to find a stable connection. Choose the network you want from the available list. Connecting to the best network can boost connectivity and speed.

Restart Your Modem and Router

If issues don’t go away, try restarting your modem and router. This can often fix connection problems by renewing your internet service. Here’s how to reboot properly:

1. Unplug the power cable from both the modem and the router.
2. If your modem has a battery, remove it.
3. Wait for at least 30 seconds.
4. Put the battery back in the modem, then reconnect the power cables.
5. Wait for the modem and router to restart and stabilize.

Doing these steps well can solve many network problems. A fresh connection with your ISP can fix common issues. Sometimes, these basic steps are all you need before trying more complex solutions.

Update or Roll Back Network Drivers

It’s very important to manage your network drivers well. This helps fix the “Can’t Connect to This Network” error in Windows 11. Updating, rolling back, or reinstalling your network adapters can often solve these problems.

Update Network Drivers

When facing connectivity issues, updating drivers is a key step. Updated drivers add new features and fix bugs. To keep your network adapters up-to-date, here are the steps:

1. Right-click the Start menu and open Device Manager.
2. Look under Network Adapters and expand it.
3. Right-click your network adapter and pick “Update driver”.
4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software”.
5. Complete the update by following what’s on your screen.

Roll Back Network Drivers

Some updates might lead to more issues. If so, rolling back to an earlier driver version can help. Here is how to roll back your network drivers:

1. As before, open Device Manager.
2. Go to the Network Adapters section and expand it.
3. Right-click the network adapter and click “Properties”.
4. In the “Driver” tab, hit “Roll Back Driver”.
5. Select a rollback reason and follow the instructions shown.

Uninstall and Reinstall Network Drivers

If updating or rolling back doesn’t work, try reinstalling your network drivers. This means removing the current driver and installing a new one. Here’s how:

1. Open Device Manager and find Network Adapters.
2. Right-click the network adapter and choose “Uninstall device”.
3. Restart your PC so Windows can reinstall the driver itself.
4. Or, download the latest driver from the maker’s site and install it yourself.

By keeping your drivers up to date or going back to a stable version, you improve your chances of a reliable network connection and fewer Windows 11 errors.

Disable IPv6 and Reset Network Adapter

Sometimes, you need to manage network settings to fix connection issues. We’ll show you how to turn off IPv6 and reset your network adapter. This can help with Wi-Fi problems.

Steps to Disable IPv6

Turning off IPv6 might fix your network problems. Here’s how to do it on Windows 11:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Network & Internet.
3. Click Change adapter options under Status.
4. Right-click your network and choose Properties.
5. In Network Adapter properties, untick Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
6. Hit OK to save your changes.

Try connecting to your network again after these steps. If there’s still a problem, look at the next fix.

Reset Wireless Network Adapter

Resetting your wireless adapter can fix Wi-Fi issues. Walk through these steps in Windows 11:

1. Press Windows + I to start Settings.
2. Choose Network & Internet.
3. Pick Advanced network settings.
4. In More settings, hit Network reset.
5. Click Reset now and confirm.

This resets network settings and restarts your device, often fixing wireless connection problems.

Advanced Network Troubleshooting Tips

For tougher network problems on Windows 11, advanced troubleshooting can really help. Here we’ll look at three key ways to fix IP and network mistakes fast.

Release and Renew IP Address

Releasing and renewing your IP address is a smart fix. You use the Command Prompt to do it. Here’s what to do:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
3. Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.

This can fix IP conflicts, making your connection better.

Flush DNS Cache

Clearing the DNS cache is crucial. It helps with connectivity issues. Here’s how:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Enter the command ipmapping /flushdns and press Enter.

This removes bad DNS entries that block good connections.

Use Windows Network Troubleshooter

The Windows Network Troubleshooter finds and fixes network errors. It’s easy to use for diagnostics on Windows 11. Follow these steps:

• Go to Settings.
• Navigate to Update & Security and select Troubleshoot.
• Click on Additional troubleshooters and then Internet Connections.
• Select Run the troubleshooter and follow what it says on-screen.

It guides you to solve network problems without needing lots of tech know-how.

Can’t Connect to This Network Windows 11: Other Solutions

If you’re getting the “Can’t Connect to This Network” error on Windows 11, don’t worry. There are more steps you can take. These tips may solve your connectivity problems for good.

Forget and Reconnect to the Network

To fix network problems, try forgetting the Wi-Fi network and reconnecting. This removes any failed attempts to connect before. Go to Wi-Fi settings, hit ‘Manage known networks,’ and forget the network. Then, reconnect to see if it solves the problem.

Check Physical Wi-Fi Switches

Look for physical Wi-Fi switches on your device. Lots of laptops have a switch or a key combo like FN+F5 or FN+F2. Make sure it’s switched on. This can keep you from losing connection unexpectedly.

Using An Ethernet Cable

Still having trouble? Try using an Ethernet cable. Plugging directly into your router can give you a faster and more reliable connection. This is a great way to fix Wi-Fi problems and get back online quickly.

Conclusion

We’ve covered a range of fixes for the “can’t connect to this network” issue in Windows 11. This problem is common, especially after upgrading from Windows 10. Users might face it due to many reasons like file system issues or DNS problems.

Our solutions start with simple checks of Wi-Fi settings and end with advanced fixes like driver updates. Each method aims to get your internet working again. For tough cases, we suggest deeper fixes like using the Windows Network Troubleshooter.

To fix the network error in Windows 11, follow our 10 methods. They include basic steps like reconnecting to Wi-Fi and more complex ones like updating Windows. These strategies will help fix your internet issues, making your experience better.