Does your Wi-Fi keep disconnecting on Windows 11 even though other devices stay connected?
This problem can be caused by your router, Wi-Fi adapter, network driver, power-saving settings, or corrupted network configuration. Fortunately, you can usually fix it without reinstalling Windows.
Start with the simple fixes below and work your way down.
1. Restart Your PC and Wi-Fi Router
Before changing any Windows settings, restart both your PC and router.
Turn off your computer, unplug your router or modem from power, wait about 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Once the router is fully online, restart your computer and reconnect to Wi-Fi.
A router or network adapter can occasionally get stuck in a temporary connection state, so restarting both devices is a good first step.
2. Forget the Wi-Fi Network and Reconnect
Windows saves information about Wi-Fi networks you have previously connected to. If that saved configuration becomes corrupted, removing the network and reconnecting may fix the problem.
Open:
Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks
Select your Wi-Fi network and choose Forget.
Then reconnect to the network from the Wi-Fi menu and enter your password again.
Windows also allows users to select and reconnect to available wireless networks through the network controls in the taskbar.
3. Update Your Wi-Fi Adapter Driver
An outdated or malfunctioning wireless driver can cause repeated Wi-Fi disconnections.
Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters, find your wireless adapter, right-click it, and select:
Update driver → Search automatically for drivers
After Windows finishes checking for a driver, restart your PC.
If Windows cannot find a newer driver, check the support website for your laptop manufacturer or Wi-Fi adapter manufacturer.
Microsoft also recommends checking the network adapter and its driver when troubleshooting Wi-Fi connection problems.
4. Disable Wi-Fi Adapter Power Saving
Windows may turn off the Wi-Fi adapter to save power, especially on laptops.
Open Device Manager again and expand Network adapters.
Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Properties.
If your adapter provides a Power Management tab, open it and disable:
Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power
Click OK and restart your computer.
Microsoft includes this power-management setting among its recommended troubleshooting steps for Windows Wi-Fi problems.
5. Reinstall the Wi-Fi Adapter
If updating the driver does not help, reinstalling the network adapter can reset the device configuration.
Open:
Device Manager → Network adapters
Right-click your wireless adapter and select Uninstall device.
Restart your computer afterward.
Windows will normally detect the network adapter again and reinstall the required driver when the computer starts.
If your computer depends entirely on Wi-Fi, it is a good idea to download the correct driver from your PC manufacturer’s website before uninstalling the adapter, just in case Windows cannot restore it automatically.
Microsoft also documents uninstalling and reinstalling network adapters as a troubleshooting option for wireless connection problems.
6. Reset Windows Network Settings
If the Wi-Fi connection still keeps dropping, you can reset Windows network settings.
Go to:
Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset
Select Reset now and confirm the reset.
Your computer will restart, and Windows will reinstall the network adapters and restore their settings to defaults.
You may need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks afterward and enter your Wi-Fi password again.
Microsoft provides Network Reset as a troubleshooting step for persistent Windows networking problems.
7. Check Whether the Problem Is Your Router or PC
Before spending more time changing Windows settings, determine whether the problem affects only your computer.
Connect another device, such as your phone, to the same Wi-Fi network.
If multiple devices disconnect at the same time, the problem is more likely related to your router or internet connection.
If only your Windows 11 computer disconnects, the Wi-Fi adapter, driver, or Windows network configuration is more likely to be responsible.
You can also try connecting your PC to a different Wi-Fi network, such as a mobile hotspot, to help isolate the problem.
8. Install Windows Updates
Finally, check for available Windows updates.
Open:
Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
Install available updates and restart your computer.
Windows updates can include bug fixes and updated hardware support that may affect networking.
If your PC has optional driver updates available, review those as well.
Which Fix Should You Try First?
For most users, I recommend trying the fixes in this order:
Restart the PC and router, forget and reconnect to Wi-Fi, update the Wi-Fi driver, disable adapter power saving, and then use Network Reset if the problem continues.
Network Reset is useful, but it should usually come after the simpler fixes because it removes and reinstalls network adapters and resets network configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Windows 11 Wi-Fi disconnect randomly?
Common causes include wireless driver problems, router issues, Wi-Fi adapter power-saving behavior, weak signal strength, or corrupted network settings.
Why does my Wi-Fi disconnect but other devices stay connected?
If only one Windows PC has the problem, the cause is more likely to be that computer’s Wi-Fi adapter, driver, or network configuration rather than the router itself.
Will Network Reset delete my files?
Network Reset affects network adapters and network configuration. It does not delete your personal documents or photos. However, you may need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks and reconfigure certain network-related software afterward.
Should I reinstall Windows to fix Wi-Fi problems?
Usually not. Restarting your equipment, updating or reinstalling the Wi-Fi adapter, adjusting power management, and resetting network settings should be tried first.
Final Thoughts
A Windows 11 computer that repeatedly disconnects from Wi-Fi does not necessarily have a hardware problem.
Start with the simplest fixes first. Restart your router, reconnect to the wireless network, and check the Wi-Fi adapter driver. If those steps do not work, disabling power-saving behavior or resetting Windows network settings can often solve more persistent connection problems.
If the problem happens on every device connected to the same Wi-Fi network, focus your troubleshooting on the router or internet connection instead of Windows.