Cannot Connect to This Network on Windows 11 Fix
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Cannot Connect to This Network on Windows 11: How to Fix It
Your Wi-Fi network shows up in the list, you click Connect, and Windows says "Can't connect to this network". Or it's a saved network that suddenly won't join any more. Because the PC can see the network, the radio works; the problem is the password, the saved profile, a setting mismatch with the router, or the adapter's driver.
These fixes are for Windows 11, and work on Windows 10 with small menu differences. They go from quickest to most thorough.
Fix 1: Check Other Devices and Restart
- If no device can join the network, restart the router: unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in and wait for the lights to settle.
- If other devices join but this PC can't, restart the PC (Start > Power > Restart) and try again.
Fix 2: Forget the Network and Join Again
A saved profile with an old password or settings is the most common cause, especially after the router was replaced or its password changed.
- Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
- Select your network and click Forget.
- Open the Wi-Fi list from the taskbar, pick the network and type the password carefully. Passwords are case-sensitive; if in doubt, check the label on the router or its app.
Fix 3: Turn Wi-Fi Off and On, or Toggle Airplane Mode
Open Quick Settings (Windows + A), turn Wi-Fi off, wait ten seconds, and turn it on. If that doesn't help, turn Airplane mode on and then off. If airplane mode won't switch off, see airplane mode stuck on in Windows 11.
Fix 4: Check Random Hardware Addresses
Some routers only allow approved devices (MAC filtering), and a changing hardware address can stop the PC being recognised.
- Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
- Turn off Random hardware addresses for a test, or set it per network in that network's properties.
- Try to connect again.
If this fixes it, the router is probably using a device allow-list. You can leave the setting off for your home network.
Fix 5: Get Closer, or Try the Other Band
A weak signal can be good enough to show in the list but too weak to join. Move closer to the router for a test. If your router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, try the other one; older adapters can't see or join some 5 GHz channels.
Fix 6: Check the Router's Security Type
If the router was recently replaced, updated or reset, its security may now be WPA3 only. Some older Wi-Fi adapters don't support WPA3, so they see the network but can't join. In the router's app or admin page, set Wi-Fi security to WPA2/WPA3 (sometimes called mixed or transition mode). Avoid choosing no password or the outdated WEP to get around it.
Fix 7: Restart the WLAN AutoConfig Service
- Press Windows + R, type
services.mscand press Enter. - Find WLAN AutoConfig. It should be Running with startup type Automatic.
- Right-click it and choose Restart (or Start if it's stopped).
Fix 8: Reinstall or Update the Wi-Fi Driver
- Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and choose Uninstall device (leave the driver-deletion box unticked).
- Restart. Windows reinstalls the adapter.
If the problem started after a driver update, right-click the adapter, choose Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver (only available if an older driver is stored). For a newer driver, use your laptop or motherboard maker's support page, not driver-updater tools.
While you're there, open the adapter's Power Management tab (if present) and untick Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
Fix 9: Read the WLAN Report
Windows can tell you why connections failed.
- Right-click Command Prompt in the Start menu and choose Run as administrator.
- Run:
netsh wlan show wlanreport- It saves a report as
wlan-report-latest.htmlinC:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WlanReport. Open it in a browser and look at the red entries around the time you tried to connect. Messages about authentication usually point back to the password or security type (Fixes 2 and 6).
Fix 10: Network Reset
- Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
- Click Reset now and confirm. The PC restarts in about five minutes.
This removes all saved networks and reinstalls the adapters, so have your Wi-Fi password ready. VPN software may need setting up again.
Still Not Connecting?
- On hotel, airport or cafe Wi-Fi, the PC may connect but show no internet until you sign in: see public Wi-Fi login page not showing.
- If it connects but drops again, see Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting.
- For more laptop-specific checks, see laptop Wi-Fi not connecting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why can I see my Wi-Fi but not connect to it?
Seeing the network only means the PC hears its signal. Joining needs the right password, a security type the adapter supports, and a working driver. A saved profile with an old password is the most common cause.
Does forgetting the network delete anything?
Only the saved password and settings for that network on this PC. You'll need to type the password again when you reconnect.
Can the router's security setting stop my laptop connecting?
Yes. Some older Wi-Fi adapters don't support WPA3. If the router is set to WPA3 only, those laptops see the network but can't join. A WPA2/WPA3 mixed or transition mode usually fixes it.
What is the WLAN report?
A built-in Windows report of recent Wi-Fi sessions and errors. Run netsh wlan show wlanreport in Command Prompt as administrator and open the HTML file it creates.
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