How to Reset Network Settings and the Network Adapter in Windows 10

To reset network settings in Windows 10, select Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Status. Scroll down, select Network reset, then Reset now, and select Yes. Your PC restarts, and every network adapter is reinstalled with default settings.

Network reset is a last step. Try restarting the adapter and the quick commands below first.

Applies to: Windows 10 version 1607 and later. You need an administrator account. Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025, so a PC without Extended Security Updates no longer receives security fixes; that program runs until October 12, 2027.

Before you reset

• Save your Wi-Fi passwords. Network reset forgets saved Wi-Fi networks, so you’ll need to type them again.
• VPN and virtual adapters are removed and may need to be set up again. A reset also clears any static address, extra DNS servers or WINS entries, so note them first and re-enter them afterward in the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window.
• Restart your router and modem first. It fixes many connection problems.

Restart the network adapter

1. Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter and select Disable.
3. Wait a few seconds, right-click it again, and select Enable.

Reset network settings with commands

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these one at a time:

1. netsh winsock reset
2. netsh int ip reset
3. ipconfig /release
4. ipconfig /renew
5. ipconfig /flushdns

Restart your PC after the first two.

Use Network reset

1. Select Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
2. Scroll down and select Network reset.
3. Select Reset now, then Yes.

Your PC restarts after about 5 minutes. Save your work first.

Reinstall the network adapter driver

1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters, right-click your adapter, and select Uninstall device.
3. Restart your PC. Windows reinstalls the adapter.

If it doesn’t come back, download the driver from your PC maker’s website on another device and copy it over with a USB drive.

After the reset

1. Select the network icon on the taskbar and reconnect to your Wi-Fi.
2. If you used a fixed IP address, change your IP address in Windows 10 back to it.
3. Reinstall any VPN app if it stopped working.

If the internet still doesn’t work after a reset

• The adapter is missing from Device Manager. Select Action > Scan for hardware changes. If it still doesn’t show, download the driver from your PC or adapter maker on another device and install it from a USB drive.
• Wi-Fi shows “No internet, secured.” Restart your router and modem, then forget the network and join it again. If other devices also can’t get online, the problem is the router or your provider.
• The PC gets a 169.254 address. That means it couldn’t get an address from the router. Run ipconfig /release and then ipconfig /renew, or restart the router.
• Websites won’t load but you’re connected. Try another DNS server, such as 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8, in the adapter’s IPv4 settings.
• A VPN or security app broke the connection. Uninstall it, restart, and reinstall the latest version from the vendor.

Frequently asked questions

Does network reset delete my files?

No. It only removes network adapters and their settings.

What’s the difference between Network reset and resetting the adapter?

Restarting the adapter just turns it off and on. Network reset reinstalls every adapter and returns all network settings to default.

How do I check it worked?

Open a website, or type ipconfig and check you have an IP address. Other ways to find your IP address in Windows 10 work too.

Not ready for a full reset yet? There are more ways to fix Wi-Fi and network problems in Windows 10.

After a reset, Windows may show your network with a new name, like “Network 2”, which you can fix when you change the network name in Windows 10. To switch DNS servers for good, change DNS in Windows 10.

More connection checks are on Microsoft’s Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows page.