Can’t Connect to This Network in Windows 10? Here’s How to Fix It

If Windows 10 shows “Can’t connect to this network” when you select a Wi-Fi network, start with the simple fixes before resetting anything. Confirm Wi-Fi is on, Airplane mode is off, the password is correct, and the same network works on another phone or computer. If another device also fails, the problem is more likely the router, modem, or internet service than Windows.

1. Check the Wi-Fi network and restart the router

Click the network icon on the taskbar and make sure Wi-Fi is enabled. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane mode and confirm Airplane mode is off. Then try the same Wi-Fi network from another device.

• If no device can connect, restart the modem and router. Microsoft recommends unplugging them, waiting about 30 seconds, powering the modem back on, then powering the router back on.
• If your router exposes separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names, try the other band. An older Wi-Fi adapter may not support every band or wireless mode.
• If other devices connect normally, focus on the Windows 10 PC.

Microsoft’s current Wi-Fi troubleshooting guidance is available in Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows.

2. Forget the Wi-Fi network and connect again

A damaged or outdated saved Wi-Fi profile can cause the connection attempt to fail. Removing the profile forces Windows to create it again with the password and settings you enter now.

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
2. Select Manage known networks.
3. Select the network that fails, then choose Forget.
4. Click the network icon on the taskbar, select the Wi-Fi network again, choose Connect, and enter the password carefully.

3. Run the troubleshooter, then reset the TCP/IP stack

Windows 10 includes a Network troubleshooter that can detect disabled adapters and common configuration problems. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status, scroll down, and select Network troubleshooter. Apply only the changes it recommends and test the connection again.

If the error remains, open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands in order:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

Restart the PC afterward. These commands reset Winsock and TCP/IP settings, request a new IP address from the router, and clear the DNS resolver cache. If you previously entered a manual IP address or DNS server, also consider returning the connection to Automatic (DHCP); Microsoft recommends automatic addressing when the network supports it.

4. Repair or reinstall the Wi-Fi adapter driver

If the connection stopped working after a driver or Windows update, check the network adapter next. Before removing a driver, download the correct Windows 10 Wi-Fi driver from your PC manufacturer on another device if necessary and keep it on a USB drive.

1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters and locate the wireless adapter.
3. If it is disabled, choose Enable device. Otherwise, check Properties > Driver for the installed driver information.
4. Use Windows Update or the PC manufacturer’s support site for the correct driver. If the adapter still fails, choose Uninstall device, restart Windows, and let Windows detect the adapter again.

If your Wi-Fi network is visible but refuses to connect, open the adapter’s Properties > Advanced tab and check for a Wireless Mode or Band option. It must allow the frequency used by your router. Do not randomly disable IPv6; Microsoft’s current troubleshooting flow does not recommend that as a general fix for this error.

5. Use Network Reset as the last Windows fix

If none of the steps above work, use Windows 10’s network reset. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset, select Reset now, confirm, and allow the PC to restart.

Network reset removes installed network adapters and reinstalls them with default settings. It can also require you to set up VPN clients or virtual networking software again, so use it after the less disruptive fixes.

Still can’t connect?

If Ethernet works but Wi-Fi does not, the issue is narrowed to the wireless adapter, its driver, or the router’s wireless configuration. If the Wi-Fi adapter is missing from Device Manager entirely, Windows is not detecting it; install the correct manufacturer driver and consider a hardware check if it still does not appear.

Also remember that standard support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 11 on compatible PCs, while eligible Windows 10 systems can use the Extended Security Updates program during the transition. See Microsoft’s Windows 10 end-of-support guidance.