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Windows 10 Can’t Connect to This Network [Step-by-Step Guide]
Most common cause for this connection error is an outdated driver
15 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Internet access is crucial for many people today, and there have been reports that users are gettingWindows 10 can’t connect to this networkmessage while trying to establish an Internet connection.
This, in turn, can cause a wide range of problems, including not being able to work remotely, stopping you from researching a problem, and even not allowing you to enjoy a relaxing time with your family watching your favorite shows.
No matter which category you fit in, solving network issues as fast and securely as possible is paramount.
In this guide, we will cover every way of dealing with network issues, including the most common solutions for general problems and also step-by-step information for troubleshooting specific issues.
Why is my laptop showing Can’t connect to this network?
This issue can occur if your PC isn’t connected to the Internet there are multiple causes for this issue, but the most common is your adapter settings.
In some instances, it’s possible thatWindows can’t find the Wi-Fi network, and that’s usually caused by a problem with your adapter, so you need to check it.
Many reported that theirHP laptop is not connecting to Wi-Fi, and if you encounter this problem, then you should update your drivers.
The most common solutions to dealing with network issues
➡Check for a faulty connection
A problem with your actual network connection is one of the most common issues, and it can be split into two categories:
As you might expect, not having the correct login details will cause connectivity issues, so it is best to check beforehand that the credentials you used are correct.
If you find that the information you used to log into your network is correct, perhaps your network environment necessitates you toswitch from a public to a private network type.
Regarding the physical part of this issue, a connection that can not be maintained or used properly can includeproblems with the router,problems with the network cardon your device, and evenproblems with the cablesconnected to the router/network card.
To check for physical problems, ensure that the router is running optimally and that all the respective lights are turned on.
Furthermore, it would be recommended that you check if the cables are cut, or have any other damage (both to and from your router/ethernet port, etc.).
➡Check your drivers
As we all know by now, drivers are an essential element to any hardware that we use, bridging the gap between software and the device itself, andhaving issues with driversis not going to help.
If this important element is not fully updated, or if the driver gets corrupted, a full re-install should resolve this issue. (more details about this step in the guide below).
➡Make sure the ISP has a good connection
In some cases, you might find that even if the above-mentioned elements are all ticked without problems, the ISP might have problems with the distribution of the Internet on their network.
To find out if that is the case, you should contact your ISP by phone and ask if everything is running smoothly on their side.
If they don’t report any issues, then it is safe to assume that the issue is local, so let’s dive into the steps you need to follow in order to resolve this annoying problem once and for all.
How can I fix Windows 10 can’t connect to a wireless network?
1. Modify network adapter settings
Did you know that you can update drivers automatically? Updating drivers manually can be tedious and a bit hard to follow, but there’s a way to automate this process.
By using specialized driver updater software likeOutbyte Driver Updater, you can automatically update all drivers on your PC with just a few clicks.
In order toprotect your data, wireless connections come with certain security types such as WPA2-PSK (AES) or WPA-PSK (AES).
For your network connection to work correctly, your router and computer must use the same security type.
You can set the security type for your router by following the instructions from your router’s instruction manual.
After you’ve set a specific security type on your router, you need to check if the same security type is also being used on your computer.
To do that, you need to follow these steps:
If you find that Windows didn’t install the drivers automatically after the restart process,follow these steps.
If nothing else works, maybe you should change your network adapter.
Certain USB Wi-Fi adapters aren’t compatible with Windows 10, and if that’s the case, you might have toreplace your current adapter with a newer model.
2. Modify Internet properties settings
You can change the wireless network mode for your router and your wireless adapter. In order for your network to work, your router and network adapter need to use the same or similar network mode.
If you want to change the network mode of your router, you’ll need to check the instruction manual, but in most cases, it won’t be necessary to change the wireless network mode on your router.
If the problem still persists, you might have to disable IPv6 on your router.
Disabling IPv6 on your router is a complicated process, and it’s different for every type of router, so before you do that, check your router’s instruction manual.
If you encounter any issues or if your network protocol is missing, be sure tocheck out this guidethat will help you get back on track.
3. Manage wireless connections
After you’ve created a new network connection, everything should be working without any problems. If the issue persists, try changing the security type of your new network.
It is possible that in some instancesyou won’t be able to run Command Prompt with admin rightsbut the solution for this issue is pretty straightforward.
Windows 10 can’t connect to this network after an update
1.Use Command Prompt
2. Uninstall the antivirus software
For Norton users, there’sthis complete guide to uninstall the antivirus. Also, there’s a similaruninstall guide regarding McAfee.
If your network connection starts working, you can install your antivirus software again, making sure toallow the Internet connectionthrough the settings of the app.
3. Check if IPv4 and IPv6 protocols are enabled
Some users might find thatthey can’t access the IPv4 proprieties, but there is a simple fix for this problem.
Windows 10 can’t connect to this network, enter APN and try again
This error occurs when trying to use your Windows 10 device to connect to a cellular network, and will stop you from accessing data altogether.
To eliminate the possibility of having network issues that stem from your PC, follow these steps:
If the Internet doesn’t connect through Ethernet or Wi-Fi, then it is safe to assume that your PC is not set up properly. To resolve this, follow the other methods described in this guide.
Windows 10 can’t connect to this network, and WEP problems
We have already covered how to create a wireless connection manually in this article, but to connect to the network that uses WEP security, you have toset the Security type to WEP for your new connection.
Follow these steps to do so:
We should also mention that the WEP security type isn’t the safest, and it’s advised that you switch to the WPA2 security type.
Windows 10 can’t connect to the network after waking from Sleep Mode
1. Disable IPv6 / Change Power Management settings
We have already explained how to disable IPv6 in this article, under theModify internet properties settingssolution.
If you’re gettingWindows 10 can’t connect to this networkmessage after your computer wakes up from Sleep Mode, you need to do check the Power Management settings for your adapter.
To do that, follow these steps:
If you use a USB network adapter, you’ll have to repeat this step for all USB devices in Device Manager.
After doing this,if your PC won’t recognize the USB devices, there are a few great solutions to apply.
2. Change Power Options
If this solution doesn’t work, you can also try changing your power plan to High Performance. To do that, follow these steps:
Some users have stated thattheir power plan settings are completely missing, and there are few fixes you can try if that is the case.
3. Turn off the Connect to Wi-Fi hotspotsoption
Few users have reported that this solution has worked for them, so you might give it a try.
If Windows doesn’t find your Wi-Fi adapter,check out this articleto fix the issue.
5.4. Disable and enable your network connection / turn on and off Airplane mode
In order to fixWindows 10 can’t connect to this networkerror, you can disable and enable your network connection to fix the problem.
In addition, you can try turning the Airplane mode on and off in order to fix this problem.
For any Airplane mode errors, you may encounter there’sthis awesome guidethat can be of help.
Windows 10 can’t connect to the network after a password change
If you’ve recently changed your password for the wireless network and now can’t connect to your network, you might want toforget the connection, as shown in a previous solution.
In addition, you need to check if your computer’s security type matches your router’s security type (also described above).
Additionally, toggle the option to connect automatically to your network toOff. This will allow you to input your new password.
What can I do to prevent these issues from occurring again?
➡Keep your OS updated
Keeping your Windows 10 OS updated at all times not only protects you from encountering network issues but also keeps you safe.
The latest Windows 10 release, updates the security features of your PC that will keep third parties away from your personal data, while also improving and fixing known bugs.
➡Ensure that all drivers are updated constantly
To achieve this, you should either regularly use the Device Manager to manually search for updates for each of the important drivers, oryou can use automatic and specialized softwareto do this job for you.
➡Keep your network login credentials accessible
Losing your network credentials is not a huge problem, but it is enough to cause you unnecessary stress when dealing with network issues.
If you have this information easily accessible, you can first test out if the credentials were used correctly, and if not, contact your ISP provider for more details.
Dealing with network issues is never pleasant, especially if you weregetting ready for a Netflix binge-watch sessionwith your loved ones or require your Internet connection for online gaming.
Following our advice will certainly offer you a fighting chance in solving these issues as fast as possible, and once you do, our recommendations for preventing them from ever bothering you again can also come in very handy,
There can be many causes that can result in your device not being able to connect to the Internet. We truly hope that our solutions have been helpful and that you’ve resolved this issue.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us in the comments section below.
More about the topics:Fix network issues,Fix WiFi problems
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
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