How to Manually Reset Your Wireless Adapter in Windows

Last Updated: August 16, 2021 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you different ways to reset the Wi-Fi adapter and connections on a Windows PC. Wireless issues can often be fixed by disabling and re-enabling the adapter, but sometimes you'll need to take things a bit further by reinstalling the driver or resetting all network adapters and settings on the PC.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:
Disabling and Re-enabling the Wi-Fi Adapter

1
Right-click the Start
button. This brings up a menu if you're using Windows 10.
- If you're using Windows 8, 7, or Vista, follow these steps instead:
  - Click the Start menu and select Control panel.
  - Click Network and Sharing Center. If you don't see it, click Network and Internet. You should find the Network and Sharing Center there.
  - Click Change adapter settings in the left panel.
  - Skip to Step 4.
2
Click Network Connections. It's near the middle of the menu.

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3
Click Change adapter options. It's under the "Change your network settings" header in the right panel. A list of your connections will appear.
4
Right-click the Wi-Fi connection and select Disable. This turns off the wireless adapter.
5
Right-click the Wi-Fi connection and select Enable. The adapter will restart and attempt to connect to your default Wi-Fi network.
- If you're still having trouble with your connection, try connecting to a different wireless access point. If that works, the issue may be with your internet provider.
- If you're still having trouble, you can try resetting all network adapters from the command prompt.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:
Resetting All Network Adapters in Windows 10

1
Right-click the Start
button. A menu will appear. This method will delete all of your computer's network connections and settings, including the wireless adapter. If you’ve already tried disabling and re-enabling the wireless adapter and it didn't solve your problem, use this method.
- This method describes the easiest way to reset your network adapters using Windows 10. If you're using an earlier version of Windows or prefer working from the command prompt, you might need to reset all network adapters from the command prompt.
- Since this method will restart your PC, save any work you have open.
2
Click Network Connections. It's near the middle of the menu.
3
Scroll down and click Network reset. It's one of the links above the "Have a question?" section. You'll see a message telling you that your network adapters will all be removed and reinstalled and that you'll have to reconnect to the internet afterward.
- You may have to reinstall any VPN software you're currently running after the reset is complete.
4
Click Reset now. This begins the full network adapter reset process. When the network adapters are uninstalled, your computer will restart and then re-install the adapters on its own.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:
Resetting All Network Adapters from the Command Prompt

1
Open the command prompt as an administrator. This method will delete all of your computer's network connections and settings, including the wireless adapter, and then reinstall them. If you’ve already tried disabling and re-enabling the wireless adapter and it didn't solve your problem, use this method on any version of Windows. Here's how to get to the admin-level command prompt:^{[1]
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- Press ⊞ Win+S to open the search bar.
- Type cmd into the search bar.
- Right-click Command prompt in the results to bring up the menu.
- Click Run as administrator.
- Enter your password if prompted.
2
Type netsh winsock reset and press ↵ Enter. After you run the command, you'll return to the command prompt. You'll need to run some additional commands in a specific order.
3
Type netsh int ip reset and press ↵ Enter.
4
Type ipconfig /release and press ↵ Enter.
5
Type ipconfig /renew and press ↵ Enter.
6
Type ipconfig /flushdns and press ↵ Enter.
7
Restart your PC. Once your PC comes back up, you'll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network, which includes re-entering the password (if applicable).
- If you're still having trouble with your connection, try connecting to a different wireless access point. If that works, the issue may be with your internet provider.
- Continue with the "Uninstalling and Re-installing the Wireless Driver" method if you're still having trouble.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:
Uninstalling and Re-installing the Wireless Driver

1
Open the Device Manager. If you were unable to fix your wireless issue by disabling and re-enabling the adapter, there could be an issue with the driver. Follow the steps for your version of Windows to access the Device Manager:^{[2]
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- Windows 10 and 8: Type device into the Windows search bar and click Device Manager when it appears.
- Windows 7 and Vista: Open the Start menu and select Control Panel. Click Device Manager, which should appear under "System."
2
Click the arrow next to "Network adapters." This expands a list of your network hardware.
3
Double-click your wireless adapter. It'll be the option that contains either "wireless" or "Wi-Fi."
4
Click the Driver tab. It's at the top of the window.
5
Click Uninstall Device. It's near the bottom of the window. A confirmation message will appear.
6
Click Uninstall to confirm. This deletes the Wi-Fi driver from your computer.
7
Reboot your computer. When the computer comes back up, Windows will automatically reinstall your Wi-Fi adapter and its default driver.
- If reinstalling the driver doesn't solve your network issue, check your computer manufacturer's website for updated network drivers.
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Community Q&A

Question

How do I fix my wireless adapter permanently if I need to use the troubleshooter all the time?

Community Answer

From Device Manager click on your adapter and go to the Advanced tab. Under the WiFi setting change 802.11b/g/n to 802.11b/g (So there is no "n" at the end). Also go to the Power Management tab and uncheck power saving.