4 Ways to Manually Reset Network Card in Windows

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

This article explains how to reset a Windows computer's Wi-Fi network card using several methods. The problems that can afflict the wireless network connection can often be solved simply by disabling and then reactivating the network card, but in some cases it is necessary to adopt slightly more complex strategies, which consist of reinstalling the network device drivers or performing a reset of all network cards and their PC configuration settings.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Disable and Re-enable the Wireless Network Card

Step 1. Click on the "Start" button

with the right mouse button.

A specific menu will appear if you are using Windows 10.

• If you are using Windows 8, Windows 7 or Windows Vista, follow these instructions:

  • Click on the "Start" button and choose the item Control Panel;
  • Click on the icon network and sharing center - if it is not present, click on the icon Internet network, then click on the option indicated;
  • Click on the link Change adapter settings listed in the left pane of the window;
  • At this point, skip to step number 4 of this method.

  

  Step 2. Click on the Network Connections item

  It is listed in the middle of the menu that appeared.

  

  Step 3. Click the Change adapter options link

  It is listed in the "Advanced Network Settings" section. The list of network adapters present in the computer will be displayed.

  

  Step 4. Right-click on the Wi-Fi network connection and select the Disable option

  This will disable the wireless network card.

  

  Step 5. Click on the Wi-Fi network connection with the right mouse button and select the Enable option

  The network card will be put back into operation and the connection to the default Wi-Fi network will be restored.

  • If network connection problems persist, try connecting your PC to another Wi-Fi network. If in this way the situation returns to normal, it means that the cause of the problem is your ISP or the modem / router you used previously.
  • If the problem persists, try to reset all the network cards of the PC directly from the "Command Prompt".

  Method 2 of 4: Reset All Network Adapters in Windows 10

  

  Step 1. Click on the "Start" button

  

  with the right mouse button.

  A context menu will be displayed. This method deletes all network connections and related settings currently configured on the computer, including wireless ones. Before trying to use this solution, try disabling and re-enabling the wireless network card to see if the problem is resolved.

  • This method describes the simplest procedure to perform to reset all Windows 10 network adapters. If you are using an older version of Windows or prefer to use the "Command Prompt", please refer to this method.
  • Since at the end of the procedure it is necessary to restart the PC, save all open documents, then close all running apps.

  

  Step 2. Click on the Network Connections item

  It is listed in the middle of the appeared menu.

  

  Step 3. Scroll down the page and click on the Network Reset link

  It is one of the options listed at the bottom of the right window pane. A message will appear explaining that all the network cards in the computer will be deleted and reinstalled, also at the end of the procedure you will have to set up the Wi-Fi network connection again.

  In this case, at the end of the restore procedure, you may also need to reinstall the VPN clients that you had previously installed

  

  Step 4. Click the Restore button

  The network adapter reset process will start. At the end of the device removal phase, the computer will automatically restart, after which the network adapters will be reinstalled in the system.

  Method 3 of 4: Reset All Network Adapters with Command Prompt

  

  Step 1. Open a "Command Prompt" window as a computer administrator

  The procedure described in this method deletes all network connections and related settings currently configured on the computer, including wireless ones. At the end of the process, the network cards will be reinstalled automatically. Before trying to use this solution, try disabling and re-enabling the wireless network card to see if the problem is resolved. This method can be used on any version of Windows. Follow these instructions to open a "Command Prompt" window as a computer administrator:

  • Press the key combination ⊞ Win + S to open the Windows search bar;
  • Type the keyword cmd in the search bar;
  • Click on the icon Command Prompt, appeared in the list of results, with the right mouse button to bring up a contextual menu;
  • Click on the option Run as administrator;
  • Enter your account password if prompted.

  

  Step 2. Type the command netsh winsock reset and press the Enter key

  When the command is finished, the prompt will reappear. At this point you will need to execute other commands in the order indicated.

  

  Step 3. Type the command netsh int ip reset and press the Enter key

  

  Step 4. Type the command ipconfig / release and press the Enter key

  

  Step 5. Type the command ipconfig / renew and press the Enter key

  

  Step 6. Type the command ipconfig / flushdns and press the Enter key

  

  Step 7. Restart your PC

  After the reboot is complete, you will need to set up the connection to the Wi-Fi network again which includes entering the login password, if any.

  • If the network connection problem persists, try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network. If in this case the problem disappears, it means that the cause could be related to the internet line that your ISP provides.
  • If the problem persists, read on and try the solution described in the next method.

  Method 4 of 4: Delete and Reinstall the Wireless Card Drivers

  

  Step 1. Open the "Device Manager" window

  If you have not been able to fix the problem by disabling and re-enabling the network card, it is possible that the device drivers are the cause of the problem. Follow these instructions to open the "Device Manager" window based on your version of Windows:

  • Windows 10 and Windows 8 - type the keyword devices into the Windows search bar and click on the icon Device management when it appears in the results list.
  • Windows 7 and Windows Vista - go to the "Start" menu and choose the option Control Panel. Click on the link Device management. It should be visible in the "System" section.

  

  Step 2. Click on the arrow icon next to "Network adapters"

  You will see a list of all cards installed in your computer.

  

  Step 3. Double click on the wireless network card

  This is the device indicated by the words "wireless" or "Wi-Fi".

  

  Step 4. Click on the Driver tab

  It is displayed at the top of the window that appeared.

  

  Step 5. Click the Uninstall Device button

  It is visible at the bottom of the tab. A confirmation message will be displayed.

  

  Step 6. Click the Uninstall button to confirm

  This will delete the Wi-Fi card drivers from your computer.

  

  Step 7. Restart your computer

  After the reboot is complete, Windows will automatically detect the Wi-Fi card and install the default drivers.