Why can’t I connect to this network on Windows 11?

DNS settings can occasionally cause network connectivity issues. To change the DNS settings, follow these steps:
1. Open ‘Control Panel’ and go to ‘Network and Sharing Center.’
2. Click ‘Change adapter settings’ in the sidebar.
3. Right-click on your Wi-Fi connection and select ‘Properties.’
4. Choose ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)’ and click ‘Properties.’
5. Select ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’ and enter:
– Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
– Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
6. Click ‘OK’ to apply the settings.
7. Try connecting to the network again.
These Google DNS servers might resolve your connectivity problem.

Your issue might stem from a corrupted Wi-Fi profile. You can delete and reconnect to the network to resolve this. Here’s how:
1. Click on the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar.
2. Go to ‘Network & Internet settings.’
3. In the Wi-Fi section, click on ‘Manage known networks.’
4. Find and select the troublesome network, then click ‘Forget.’
5. Reconnect to the Wi-Fi network by entering the password again.
Refreshing the network connection this way can address hidden issues causing the connection failures.

It may be worth investigating if your network drivers are outdated, as this is a common cause of connectivity issues. Here’s how you can update your network drivers:
1. Right-click the Start button and select ‘Device Manager.’
2. Expand the ‘Network adapters’ section.
3. Right-click on your network adapter and select ‘Update driver.’
4. Choose ‘Search automatically for updated driver software.’
5. Follow the prompts to complete the update.
6. Restart your computer and try connecting again.
Updating the drivers can often fix issues related to new operating systems like Windows 11.

Rebooting your Wi-Fi router is a simple step that can often solve network issues. Here’s what you should do:
1. Unplug the router from its power source.
2. Wait for about 60 seconds.
3. Plug the router back in.
4. Allow a few minutes for the router to restart fully.
5. Try reconnecting to the network again.
Routers can sometimes become overloaded and a simple reboot can clear out minor glitches.

Another potential issue could be your network adapter’s power management settings. These settings can sometimes cause connectivity problems if the adapter is being powered down. Here’s how to adjust them:
1. Press Win + X and choose ‘Device Manager.’
2. Expand the ‘Network adapters’ section.
3. Right-click on your network adapter and choose ‘Properties.’
4. Go to the ‘Power Management’ tab.
5. Uncheck the box that says ‘Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.’
6. Click ‘OK’ and restart your PC.
Ensuring the network adapter stays active can resolve intermittent connectivity issues.

Checking for Windows updates is another troubleshooting step. Microsoft releases updates that may fix connectivity bugs. Here’s how to check:
1. Press Win + I to open ‘Settings.’
2. Click on ‘Windows Update’ on the sidebar.
3. Hit ‘Check for updates.’
4. If updates are available, install them and restart your computer.
Regular updates can resolve software bugs and improve system stability.

Sometimes, security software such as antivirus programs can block your network connection. To check if this is the case, try temporarily disabling your antivirus software:
1. Locate the antivirus icon in your system tray.
2. Right-click the icon and select options like ‘Disable,’ ‘Turn off,’ or ‘Pause Protection.’
3. Choose a short duration, such as 15 minutes.
4. Attempt to reconnect to the network.
If you connect successfully, you might need to configure your antivirus software to allow the connection.

The problem might be linked to some misconfigured network settings. Resetting these settings can restore everything to default and might solve your problem. Here’s what you should do:
1. Open ‘Settings’ by pressing Win + I.
2. Go to ‘Network & Internet’ and then click on ‘Status.’
3. Scroll down and find ‘Network reset.’
4. Click on ‘Reset now.’
5. Your computer will restart with refreshed network settings.
Resetting the network settings often clears out conflicting configurations that prevent you from connecting.