Laptop not connecting to specific Wi-Fi network

Question

Laptop not connecting to specific Wi-Fi network

Jaden Edwards 20

My laptop is currently unable to connect to my Wi-Fi. This was a Wi-Fi that it had no trouble connecting to months ago. A year ago it worked for months on end, and as late as Christmas it was working then. But now I’ve came back after a few months and not only does it not connect to the network, but it had also happened to randomly forget it at some point. The router hasn’t changed since the last time I’ve used it those months ago, and my phone and other devices connect to it with no problem. What’s also strange is that my laptop can still connect to a different network like my phone’s hotspot, so it’s not like it cannot connect to anything. I’ve even tried the LAN ethernet option, which does give an internet connection for a moment, but then says there is no connection despite also saying it’s connected to ethernet. I’ve tried multiple troubleshooting options like updating drivers, network reset, turning the wi-fi adapter on and off, turning off and unplugging the router and putting it back in. Each time it says that the Wi-Fi did not allow the connection when I try to connect. Is this a problem with my laptop or is it something I need to figure out in my router settings instead?

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Jaden Edwards 20

Managed to find the fix. I don’t think initially changing the SSID and password did much, but it now works after I changed it back to default by factory resetting the router using the small button on the bottom, that seems to let the laptop connect again.

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2 additional answers

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Answer 1

This is most likely an issue on the laptop side (saved profile, IP/DNS, or adapter/Windows configuration), not the router hardware, since other devices connect fine and the laptop can use other networks.

Work through these steps in order on the laptop, focusing on the problem Wi‑Fi network:

Forget and re-add the Wi‑Fi network
1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi‑Fi.
2. Select Manage known networks.
3. If the home Wi‑Fi appears, select it and choose Forget.
4. Reconnect by selecting the network from the Wi‑Fi list and entering the password.
Check basic connection status and Airplane mode
1. Select the Network icon on the taskbar and confirm Wi‑Fi is turned on.
2. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane mode and ensure it is Off.
Power-cycle modem/router (already done, but ensure full sequence)
1. Unplug router (and modem if separate) from power.
2. Wait at least 30 seconds.
3. Plug modem back in, wait until lights stabilize.
4. Plug router back in, wait a few minutes.
5. Try connecting again from the laptop.
Check if the adapter is seeing the network and band If the laptop sees other Wi‑Fi networks but not this one, or fails only on this one:
1. Confirm the laptop is in range and that other devices see the same SSID.
2. If the router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz SSIDs, try the other band (e.g., connect to the 2.4 GHz version if the 5 GHz one fails).
3. In Device Manager > Network adapters > your wireless adapter > Properties > Advanced, check Wireless Mode/Band and ensure it allows the band your router uses.
If it connects but shows “No Internet” or drops quickly When Ethernet or Wi‑Fi briefly works then shows No Internet, reset IP/DNS on the laptop:
1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run:
  - ipconfig /release
  - ipconfig /renew
  - ipconfig /flushdns
3. Try reconnecting to the Wi‑Fi.
Then verify the IP and DNS:
1. Run ipconfig /all | findstr /c:"DNS Servers" and note the DNS server.
2. Run ping [DNS server address].
3. If the laptop gets an IP like 169.254.x.x, DHCP from the router is not being applied to this device; check the router’s DHCP settings and ensure it is enabled.
Run the built-in Network troubleshooter
1. Select Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
2. Go to Status and run Network troubleshooter.
3. Follow the on-screen steps and test the problematic Wi‑Fi again.
As a last resort on the laptop: Network reset Since a network reset was already tried, only repeat if done before some of the above steps:
1. Settings > Network & internet.
2. Advanced network settings > Network reset.
3. Select Reset now and restart.
4. Reconnect to the Wi‑Fi and re-enter the password.

If the laptop connects reliably to other Wi‑Fi networks and hotspots after these steps, but still fails only on this one router, then check router-side settings that might block this device (MAC filtering, access control lists, or a very small DHCP pool). However, based on the symptoms and the fact that Ethernet also briefly works then shows “No Internet,” the primary focus should be on fixing IP/DNS and network configuration on the laptop.

References:

Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows

Answer 2

franco d'esaro 25,181 Volunteer Moderator

Hi Jaden Edwards.

Are you connected directly to the router's network, or are you using a WiFi repeater or hub/switch?

If you're using third-party antivirus software or a VPN, try disabling them and then trying to connect again.

Jaden Edwards 20 Reputation points

2026-06-14T10:03:36.7266667+00:00

I’m trying to connect to the router network, the same way my phone does and other devices. I currently don’t have any anti-virus on my laptop and any VPN is off too, but it still will not connect.
franco d'esaro 25,181 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-06-14T12:31:42.31+00:00

Are your computer and router in the same room or in different rooms or on different floors of your home?Run the troubleshooter and report the Windows error message here or post a screenshot.

In the meantime, go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, select and remove all existing wireless network profiles, then reconnect to your Wi-Fi network by correctly re-entering the Wi-Fi password set on the router.
Jaden Edwards 20 Reputation points

2026-06-17T19:36:19.3266667+00:00

When I use troubleshoot, it says the wifi network didn’t allow the connection, which is what it always tells me everytime I try to troubleshoot. The router is on a different floor than my laptop. I use my laptop upstairs usually while the router is downstairs in the living room. I also can’t remove it from known networks because when I first tried to connect to the network when coming back, it was no longer saved as a known network, and it won’t save when I try to connect and it blocks the device, even with the password being right and known.
franco d'esaro 25,181 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-06-18T12:41:24.6133333+00:00

Hi.

Temporarily move your laptop to the same room as the router, then check if you can connect to the router's WiFi network from there.

If you still can't connect, connect your laptop to the router directly via network cable, log in to the router, go to the WiFi Settings page, and change the network name (SSID) and WiFi password. Save the settings and then reboot the router. Then try connecting to the internet first via network cable and then via WiFi, selecting the newly created network and the new password.

Return here if you still need assistance.
franco d'esaro 25,181 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-06-20T09:40:34.83+00:00

Good, I'm glad you solved the problem.

Thanks for reporting it.