Users often come across an annoying situation when Windows 10 can’t connect to the wireless network. It becomes quite arduous to carry on your task if your computer cannot access the internet. The wireless adapter is the preliminary source of this problem. Along with it, other related factors can also be responsible for this issue. Therefore, it is necessary to find out the reason why Windows 10 can’t connect to the network and troubleshoot it at the earliest.
Reasons Behind Why Windows 10 Can’t Connect To WiFi
Windows 10 may fail to connect to the wireless network for either of the reasons mentioned below:
- If you haven’t set the channel width of your network adapter correctly, then Windows 10 may fail to connect to the specified network.
- Occasionally, the IPv6 network protocol prevents the adapter from accessing the network.
- You can face this issue if your router and adapter are not using the same type of security.
- To access a particular network, it is essential for the router and adapter to use similar network mode.
- A faulty or older version of the driver installed on your PC may forbid Windows 10 from connecting to the internet.
- You can face the same trouble if the USB WiFi adapter you are using is not compatible with Windows 10.
Effective Solutions To Fix The Connection Error
You can re-establish the connection between Windows 10 and the wireless network by applying any of the tricks given below.
Uninstall Your Network Adapter
- Press Windows Key and ‘X’ together and select ‘Device Manager’ from the list of results.
- Locate your network adapter, right-click on it and select ‘Uninstall.’
- If Windows 10 asks you to delete the driver software, then choose the option ‘Delete the driver software for this device’ and click ‘OK.’
- Restart your computer to let it install the new driver automatically.
Update Your Network Adapter Drivers
- Open Device Manager and click on the ‘Network Adapters.’
- Right-click on ‘Wireless Adapter’ and select ‘Update Driver Software’ from the drop-down menu.
- Let Windows 10 search automatically for updated driver software and then follow the on-screen instructions.
- In the end, restart your PC and try to connect to the network again.
Change The Channel Width For Your Network
- Press Windows key and ‘S’ simultaneously and type ‘Network’ in the search box.
- Open ‘Network and Sharing Center’ from the list of options and choose ‘Change adapter settings.’
- Right-click on your wireless adapter and choose ‘Properties.’
- Click on the ‘Advanced’ tab in the ‘Properties’ window.
- Select ‘802.11 channel width’ and use a different value such as 20MHz.
- Hit the ‘OK’ button to save all these changes.
Disable IPv6 On Your Computer And Router
- Open ‘Network and Sharing Center’ and choose your current network connection.
- Click ‘Properties’ in the ‘Connection status’ window.
- Disable ‘Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP /IPv6)’ and click on the ‘OK’ button.
- Restart your computer so that it can apply these changes.
Check The Security Type Of Your Adapter And Router
- Open ‘Network and Sharing Center’ and click on ‘manage wireless networks.’
- Right-click on your wireless network and choose ‘Properties.’
- Click on the Security tab and navigate to the Security type section.
- Select the security type that your router is using and click ‘OK’ to implement the changes.
Add The Network Connection Manually
- Access the ‘Network and Sharing Center’ and click on ‘Set up a new connection or network.’
- Choose ‘Manually connect to a wireless network’ and click ‘Next.’
- If asked, provide the network name, security key, and security type.
- Hit the ‘Next’ button to finish this process.
- If Windows 10 still can’t connect to the network, then change the security type of your new network.
Change The Wireless Network Mode
Use this method if your router and adapter are not on the same network mode. To make the necessary changes, follow the given steps:
- Open ‘Network And Sharing Center’ and choose ‘Change adapter settings.’
- Right-click on your wireless network adapter and select ‘Properties.’
- Click on the ‘Configure’ button in the ‘Properties’ window.
- Select ‘Wireless mode’ under the ‘Advanced’ tab.
- Change the value of your network according to the wireless mode on your router.
Disable And Enable Your Wireless Connection
Sometimes, disabling the network connection and re-enabling it can fix this issue. So, follow the steps mentioned below to re-enable the connection:
- Open ‘Network and Sharing Center’ and choose ‘Change adapter settings.’
- Right-click on your wireless connection and select ‘Disable.’
- Wait for a few minutes; then, right-click on that wireless connection and enable it again.
Install The Driver Manually
You can use this method to replace a faulty driver on your PC.
- Open Device Manager and choose your network adapter.
- Right-click on it and select ‘Update Driver Software.’
- Search your computer for driver software and pick up a device driver installed on your PC.
- Uncheck the option ‘Show compatible hardware.’
- Find out the name of your network adapter manufacturer from the drop-down menu under ‘Show compatible hardware.’
- Select the driver you want to install and restart your system after the installation is over.
Change Your Network Adapter
If Windows 10 does not support the USB WiFi adapter you are using, then you will need to change it at the earliest. If the problem continues, then use the solutions mentioned above to fix other related issues.
Use ‘ipconfig/release’ Command
This Command Prompt has fixed this issue in case of several users. So, you should try out this alternative at least once.
- Press Windows key and X at the same time and choose Command Prompt from the list of options.
- Enter ‘ipconfig /release’ in the Command Prompt and press ‘Enter.’
- Now, type ‘ipconfig /renew’ in the Command Prompt and press ‘Enter.’
- Exit the Command Prompt and try to connect to the same network
Often, it is seen that Windows 10 can’t connect to the network after recovering from the Sleep Mode. If you are going through such a situation, then follow the solutions as discussed below.
Change Power Management
- Open Device Manager and go to the ‘Network Adapters’ section.
- Right-click on your wireless adapter and click on ‘Properties.’
- Click on the ‘Power Management’ tab and uncheck the box right next to ‘Allow this computer to turn off this device to save power.’
- Click ‘OK’ and save the changes.
Change Power Options
- Type ‘Power Options’ in the search box and select it from the list of results.
- Choose your selected power plan in the ‘Power Options’ window and select ‘Change plan settings.’
- Click ‘Change advanced power settings’ and then select ‘Wireless Adapter Settings.’
- Select the ‘Power Saving Mode’ and change its settings to ‘Maximum Performance.’
- Save the changes and then restart your PC.
Turn Off WiFi Hotspots
- Open Settings and choose ‘Network and Internet.’
- Click on ‘WiFi’ and select ‘Manage WiFi settings.’
- Turn off ‘Connect to WiFi hotspots’ and also disable the feature to discover nearby WiFi.
This article has described all the possible ways by which you can resolve the issue when Windows 10 can’t connect to the network. Hence, take help of this article to fix this issue without any hassle.