How to fix Windows 11 Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting or dropping connection frequently

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix Windows 11 Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting or dropping connection frequently. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Intermittent Wi-Fi dropouts on Windows 11 are commonly caused by aggressive power management settings, outdated or corrupt network drivers, conflicting network services, or misconfigured adapter properties. This guide walks you through the most effective fixes, starting with the quickest solutions before moving on to more detailed troubleshooting. Most users will resolve their issue within the first few steps.

Quick Fix Steps

Try these solutions first — they resolve the majority of Wi-Fi dropout issues on Windows 11.

1. Restart your computer and router. Power off your router for 30 seconds, then power it back on. Wait for the internet light to stabilise, then restart your PC.
2. Toggle Wi-Fi off and on. Click the network icon in the taskbar, click the Wi-Fi button to turn it off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
3. Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, click Run next to Network Adapter, then follow the prompts.
4. Forget and reconnect to your network. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, click your network, select Forget, then reconnect by selecting it again and entering your password.

Disable Power Management for the Wi-Fi Adapter

Windows 11 automatically puts your wireless adapter to sleep to conserve battery. On desktops and many laptops, this causes the connection to drop unexpectedly. Disabling this feature is often the single most effective fix.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Network adapters section.
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter (commonly named Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201, Realtek RTL8852AE, or Qualcomm Wi-Fi) and select Properties.
4. Click the Power Management tab.
5. Untick Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
6. Click OK.

Also adjust your system power plan to prevent Wi-Fi from sleeping:

1. Press Windows + R, type powercfg.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Click Change plan settings next to your active plan.
3. Click Change advanced power settings.
4. Expand Wireless Adapter Settings > Power Saving Mode.
5. Set both On Battery and Plugged In to Maximum Performance.
6. Click Apply, then OK.

Update or Reinstall the Wi-Fi Driver

Faulty drivers are a leading cause of repeated Wi-Fi dropouts. Windows Update doesn't always install the latest stable driver, so it's worth checking the manufacturer's website directly.

Update via Device Manager

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager).
2. Expand Network adapters and right-click your Wi-Fi adapter.
3. Select Update driver, then choose Search automatically for drivers.
4. Restart your computer when prompted.

Download the latest driver from the manufacturer

For the most reliable fix, download directly from your laptop or adapter manufacturer:

• Dell: www.dell.com/support — enter your service tag
• HP: support.hp.com — search by product number
• Lenovo: support.lenovo.com — use auto-detect or enter serial
• Intel: www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center
• Realtek: www.realtek.com

Reinstall the driver

If updating doesn't help, perform a clean reinstall:

1. In Device Manager, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Uninstall device.
2. Tick Attempt to remove the driver for this device if available.
3. Click Uninstall and restart your computer.
4. Windows will automatically reinstall a default driver. If the issue persists, install the manufacturer driver you downloaded above.

Reset Network Settings and Stack

If the issue persists, resetting the network stack clears corrupted configuration that may be causing repeated disconnections.

1. Right-click Start and select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Run each of the following commands in order, pressing Enter after each:
   netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
3. Close the terminal and restart your computer.

You can also perform a full network reset from Windows Settings:

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Status.
2. Scroll down and click Network reset.
3. Click Reset now and confirm.
4. Your computer will restart. You'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and re-enter your password afterwards.

Check for Conflicting Network Services

Some background services and features can interfere with stable Wi-Fi connections.

Disable Wi-Fi Sense and random MAC addresses

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
2. Turn off Connect to suggested open hotspots and Connect to networks shared by my contacts.
3. Click your network properties and toggle off Random hardware address for testing purposes.

Temporarily disable VPN and security software

Third-party VPNs, antivirus firewalls, and filtering tools can cause intermittent drops. Temporarily disable them to test:

1. Right-click the VPN or security icon in your system tray.
2. Select Disconnect or Pause protection.
3. Test your Wi-Fi stability for 10–15 minutes.
4. If the issue resolves, contact your security software vendor for an updated version or whitelist your network adapter.

Disable metered connection

If your network is set as metered, Windows may limit background connectivity:

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
2. Click your connected network.
3. Turn off Metered connection.

Adjust Adapter Advanced Properties

Some adapter properties can cause instability on certain routers. Access these from Device Manager > Network adapters > [your adapter] > Properties > Advanced tab.

Roaming aggressiveness

If your device clings to a weak access point instead of roaming to a stronger one, lower this setting:

1. Locate Roaming Aggressiveness in the Advanced tab.
2. Change the value from Highest to Medium or Lowest.
3. Click OK and test your connection.

Preferred band

If your router supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, forcing a specific band can improve stability:

1. Locate Preferred Band or Wireless Mode.
2. Select 5GHz for faster speeds and less interference, or 2.4GHz for better range.
3. Click OK and restart your computer.

Disable 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) temporarily

Some older routers and access points handle Wi-Fi 6 poorly, causing dropouts. To test:

1. Locate 802.11ax or Wireless Mode in the Advanced tab.
2. Change it to 802.11ac or 802.11n.
3. Click OK and test your connection.

Check Router and Environment Factors

If the issue persists after exhausting Windows-side fixes, the problem may lie with your router or environment.

Update router firmware

Outdated router firmware is a common cause of intermittent dropouts. Log into your router's admin panel (commonly 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and check for firmware updates under the Administration or System section.

Change the Wi-Fi channel

Interference from neighbouring networks can cause instability. In your router settings, switch to a less congested channel:

• For 2.4 GHz: use channels 1, 6, or 11.
• For 5 GHz: use channels 36, 40, 44, or 48.

Reduce distance and obstructions

Walls, floors, and large metal objects weaken Wi-Fi signals. Move closer to your router or reposition it to a central, elevated location away from obstructions.

When to Seek Further Help

If your Wi-Fi continues to drop after completing all the steps above, the issue may be hardware-related. Consider the following:

• Test on another network. Connect to a different Wi-Fi network (such as a mobile hotspot) to determine whether the issue is with your computer or your home network.
• Test with another device. If other devices on the same network work fine, the problem is likely with your computer's adapter.
• Check for hardware faults. If your Wi-Fi adapter is internal, a failing card may need replacement. USB adapters are inexpensive alternatives for desktops.
• Contact your IT support team. Provide details of the steps you've already tried, along with any error messages or event log entries from Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System filtered by source WLAN-AutoConfig.

Still Having Issues?