WiFi dropping, not connecting, or showing limited connectivity on Windows? Here’s how to fix it.

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Quick Fixes to Try First

  1. Toggle WiFi off and on (airplane mode trick)
  2. Restart your router
  3. Restart your PC
  4. Forget the network and reconnect
  5. Run Windows Network Troubleshooter: Settings → Network & Internet → Status → Network troubleshooter

Fix 1: Flush DNS and Reset Winsock

Open Command Prompt as Admin (right-click Start menu → Terminal Admin):

ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset

Restart your PC after this.

Fix 2: Update Your WiFi Driver

Press Win + X → Device Manager → Network adapters.

Find your WiFi adapter (e.g., Intel Wi-Fi 6, Realtek RTL8821CE).

Right-click → Update driver → Search automatically.

Or download from your PC manufacturer’s website.

Fix 3: Change WiFi Power Management

Right-click the WiFi icon → Open Network & Internet settings → Advanced network settings → WiFi → Power mode → Maximum performance.

Or in Device Manager → WiFi adapter → Power Management → uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device.

Fix 4: Change DNS Servers

Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, press Enter.

Right-click WiFi → Properties → double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

Set:

  • Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
  • Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4

Click OK.

Fix 5: Forget and Reconnect to WiFi

Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → Manage known networks.

Find your network → Forget.

Then reconnect fresh.

Fix 6: Run Network Adapter Troubleshooter

Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Network adapters → Run.

Fix 7: Update Router Firmware

Log into your router (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and check for firmware updates.

Still having issues? Try connecting via Ethernet. If Ethernet works but WiFi doesn’t, it’s a WiFi adapter or driver issue.