Settings › Network & internet › Advanced network settingsResetting network apdaters in Windows 11 removes your network adapters and installs them again, with networking components returned to their defaults. It is a good last step when the internet keeps dropping or an adapter misbehaves and simpler fixes have not helped. The reset starts from one page in Settings.
- In Settings, select Network & internet, then Advanced network settings, then Network reset, and confirm.
- After the reset, your PC restarts and you must reconnect to your networks, so keep your Wi-Fi password at hand.
- If only one adapter is the problem, you can turn it off and on again from Manage Network Adapter settings instead of resetting everything.
How to reset network adapters in Windows 11
1. Open the network settings page
Press Windows + I to launch Settings. In the left navigation pane, select Network & internet, then select Advanced network settings.
Alternatively, open the page directly:
Open "Advanced network settings" in Settingsor press Win+R, type ms-settings:network-advancedsharing, and press Enter
2. Select the reset option
Scroll down to the additional settings on the page and select Network reset. This option resets your network settings and reinstalls your network adapters.
Save any open work first, because the next step restarts the PC.
3. Confirm the reset
On the page that opens, select the button that starts the reset, then confirm when Windows asks you to. Windows warns you before it removes and reinstalls the adapters.
Do not turn the PC off while the reset is running.
4. Restart and reconnect
Let the PC restart. Afterward, Windows treats your adapters as freshly installed, so connect to your Wi-Fi network again and enter the password if asked. Plug in your Ethernet cable if you use one.
If you use a VPN or other custom network configuration, check that it still works and set it up again if needed.
Restart a single adapter instead
A full reset changes more than you may need. If one adapter is the problem, open the same page and use Manage Network Adapter settings. It is where you can enable an adapter, disable an adapter, or rename it. Turning a misbehaving adapter off and on again often clears a small glitch without touching the rest of your network setup.
Try this first, and use Network reset only if the problem remains.
Check sharing settings after the reset
If other devices or shared printers no longer appear on your network after the reset, review the sharing options under Manage advanced sharing settings on the same page:
- Manage private network discovery controls whether your PC can find devices on a private network.
- Manage private network file and printer sharing controls file and printer sharing on a private network.
- Manage public network discovery and Manage public network file and printer sharing do the same for public networks.
To see the details of your current connection, select View your network properties.
On a work or school device, an organization can manage this page, so some options may be unavailable or locked.
Frequently asked questions
How do I go about resetting network apdaters in Windows 11?
Open Settings, select Network & internet, then Advanced network settings, and choose Network reset. Confirm the reset, let the PC restart, then reconnect to your networks.
Do I need to enter my Wi-Fi password again after a network reset?
Yes, expect to reconnect manually. The reset reinstalls your adapters and returns network components to their defaults, so keep your Wi-Fi password ready and sign in to your network again after the restart.
Can I restart just one network adapter instead of resetting all of them?
Yes. Use Manage Network Adapter settings on the same page, where you can disable and re-enable an adapter. This is a lighter fix that leaves your other adapters untouched.
Where is the network reset option in Windows 11 Settings?
It is under Network & internet on the Advanced network settings page, in the additional settings, as Network reset. Select it, then confirm to start the reset.
Why can't I change network settings on my work or school PC?
An organization can manage the Advanced network settings page on a work or school device. If options are missing or locked, your administrator controls them and you need to ask them for help.
