Windows 11 Network Reset: What It Changes Before You Click

Network reset in Windows 11 is a broad fix, not a first step. It removes every installed network adapter and its settings, restarts the PC, and reinstalls the adapters with default settings. VPN client software or Hyper-V virtual switches may need to be installed or configured again, and known network connections may move to a Public profile. Microsoft places Network reset at the end of its connectivity troubleshooting guide.

It is worth considering when the problem seems limited to Windows networking on one PC and simpler checks have failed. It is a poor match for an outage affecting several devices on the same router, and it is too broad for a problem limited to one app or website.

What Network reset changes

Windows removes the network adapters installed on the PC and resets their settings. After the restart, it installs the adapters again with default settings. That affects this PC's network setup; it does not reset the router or repair a fault shared by every device on the network.

Microsoft lists connection trouble after upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, and a working internet connection that still cannot reach shared network drives, as situations where Network reset may help. Those examples are not a guarantee that the reset will solve every similar problem.

Two side effects deserve attention before you continue:

• A VPN client or a virtual switch from Hyper-V or other network virtualisation software may need to be reinstalled or set up again.
• Windows may change known network connections to a Public profile. On a Public network, your PC is hidden from other devices, so file and printer sharing will not work. A Private profile makes the PC discoverable; use it only on a network whose devices and people you trust.

Check whether the problem is on this PC

Try the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection on another device. If that device also cannot get online, investigate the router, access point, cable or internet service before resetting one PC. Microsoft's troubleshooting guide recommends this comparison to help separate a device problem from a shared network problem.

If only one Windows PC is affected, run the Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app and try the simpler connection checks first. Confirm Wi-Fi is on, Airplane mode is off, and the PC can reconnect to the network.

If only one website or hostname fails while other sites work, a full adapter reset may be unnecessary. Jitsumi's Windows DNS cache guide explains when a local DNS cache check is relevant and what it cannot fix.

Before you select Reset now

• Record custom network settings. If you deliberately set a static IP address or DNS server, note the values first. Network reset returns adapter settings to defaults.
• Keep reconnection details available. Have the Wi-Fi password and any VPN setup instructions ready in case you need them after the restart.
• Check VPNs and virtual networking. Make sure you can reinstall or reconfigure any VPN client, Hyper-V switch or other networking software you rely on. On a work or school PC, ask the administrator before resetting managed networking.
• Consider local sharing. If other trusted devices use file or printer sharing with this PC, check its network profile after the reset. Do not switch a public or unfamiliar network to Private just to make sharing work.

Run the reset and check the result

1. Save open work. Network reset restarts the PC.
2. Open Start > Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
3. Select Reset now, then select Yes to confirm.
4. Let Windows restart. Reconnect to Wi-Fi if needed, then repeat the same task that failed before the reset.
5. Restore VPN or virtual-switch software if needed. If you use file or printer sharing on a trusted network, open Settings > Network & internet, select Wi-Fi and your connected network, or select Ethernet, then check Network profile type. Choose Private only for a network you trust; Public is the safer choice for most networks.

Use Network reset when the checks point to this PC's network configuration and you are ready to restore any custom setup. If the problem remains, return to the evidence: test another device, check the adapter or its driver, or contact the person who manages the network. Repeating a broad reset is not a substitute for finding which part of the connection is failing.

Sources

• Microsoft Support, Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows. The Network reset guidance was checked against the 1 August 2026 archived version, before this article's 8 September 2026 date.
• Microsoft Support, Essential network settings and tasks in Windows. The network-profile explanation was checked against the 1 August 2026 archived version.