“Windows 10 cannot connect to this network” error [Fixed]

Are you getting the Windows 10 cannot connect to this network error?

You are not alone. This is a common error reported by many users. So, what causes it? Well, there is no one fixed answer. The error can occur because of a number of reasons. All the same, it usually doesn’t take much to fix it.

In this post, we have discussed several solutions to this problem. You don’t have to try each and every solution; instead, start with the first one in the list and work your way down until the issue is fixed.

Solution One – Forget the network and reconnect to the network

Forgetting a network is helpful when you are facing problems connecting to a network. It erases all network settings saved by your computer. You have to enter credentials of the network to connect again. Here are the steps to follow.

Go to system tray and right-click in network icon
Click Open Network & Internet settings
In the left-side bar, click on Wi-Fi to see your wireless adapters
Next click on Manage known networks
In the next screen, click on the problematic Wi-Fi network and click Forget
The Wi-Fi network will be removed from known networks
To reconnect to the network, scan networks like you normally do and click Connect
Enter password when prompted

Solution Two- Toggle the Airplane Mode On & Off

This trick is used by smartphone users when they face network connectivity issues on their devices. This trick might also work on Windows 10. When you turn On the Airplane Mode in Windows 10, the device will disconnect from all networks. When you turn off the Airplane mode, you have to connect to the available networks.

Go to system tray and click the network icon
Click Airplane Mode to activate. The tile will turn blue which indicates Airplane Mode is ON
Wait for some time
Click Airplane Mode to deactivate. The tile will turn grey which indicates the Airplane Mode is Off.
Now try connecting to the network. If you are still getting “Windows 10 cannot connect to this network” go to next solution.

Solution Three – Run Network Troubleshooter

Windows 10 features an in-built network troubleshooter. It can fix any underlying problems related to network connectivity. Here are the steps to run network troubleshooter.

Click Start -> Settings (wrench icon)
In the Settings screen, click Update and Security
In the left side bar, click Troubleshoot
In the right hand section, find and click additional troubleshooters
In the next screen, click Internet connections -> Run the troubleshooter
Wait for the troubleshooter to complete operation.

Solution Four – Disable IPv6 on your PC

Many computers work just fine with IPv4 and they don’t need IPv6 to connect to the Internet. Many users were able to resolve the “Windows 10 cannot connect to this network” error by disabling IPv6 and it could help you too. Here are the steps to follow.

Go to system tray and right-click network icon
In the network settings screen, click change adapter options under Advanced Network settings
In the next screen, you will see icons of different network adapters. Right-click on problematic Internet adapter and select Properties
In the Properties window, look for Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) and uncheck the corresponding box. This will prevent computer from using IPv6

Solution Five – Reset your network settings

Sometimes improper configuration of the network can also lead to errors like “Windows 10 cannot connect to this network”. Resetting network settings will set things right that may resolve the error. Here are the steps to follow.

Open Settings
Click Network and Internet
Click Status in the left side bar
Scroll down the window and click Network Reset option
In the next screen, click Reset now

Solution Six – Run network command in Command Prompt

The “Windows 10 cannot connect to this network” could be due to wrong IP settings. Windows offers a few networking commands that can fix this problem. Here are the steps to follow.

Click Start and type cmd in search bar
In the search results, right-click Command prompt and select Run as administrator
In the command window prompt, type the following command one after another. Press enter after typing command and wait for the command process to complete. Then type next command in the list
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

After you have run all networking commands, reboot PC and try connecting to network.

Solution Seven – Modify network adapter settings

Many users were able to resolve the error by disabling 802.11d. Here are the steps to follow.

Press Windows logo key and X simultaneously on your keyboard
Click Settings from the menu
Select Network and Internet
In the right hand pane, click Change adapter options

Locate your wireless adapter and right-click it.
Select Properties from the menu
In the Wi-Fi properties window, click Configure button
Click Advanced tab
From the Property list box, select 802.11d
From the value drop down list, select Enabled
Click OK to save changes

Solution Eight – Check the connection security type used by router and computer

The router offers security types like PA2-PSK (AES) or WPA-PSK (AES) to protect your wireless data. Both router and computer should use same connection security type. “The Windows 10 cannot connect to this network error”could be due to different connection security type used by router and computer

Access router interface and check wireless settings. Note down the connection security type
Right-click network connection in the system tray
Select Open Network & Internet settings.
Select Network and Sharing Center
In the next window, click wireless network icon
Next, click wireless properties
In the properties window, go to Security tab
Check the connection security type. Make sure it matches the router.

Solution Nine – Disable 802.1 1n mode of your network adapter

802.11n uses MIMO (multiple input / multiple output) technology and a wider radio frequency channel. It is used to increase network reliability, increase wireless local area network speed, and extend wireless range. You can often resolve this error by disabling 802.1 1n mode in network adapter. Here are steps to follow.

Click Start and type Device Manager in search bar
Click Device Manager from the search results. This will open Device Manager
In the Device Manager window, go to Network adapters and expand it
Right-click on your network adapter and click Properties
In the Properties window, go to Advanced tab
In the property list box, click 802.11n Mode
In the Value drop-down box, select Disabled

Solution Ten – Uninstall your network adapter

There is a possibility the Windows 10 cannot connect to this network error is related to drivers. In that case, you need to uninstall your network adapter and reboot your PC. After reboot, Windows will identify missing drivers for the network adapter. It will install right network adapter drivers automatically. Here are the steps to follow.

Open Device Manager
Go to Network adapters section and expand it
Right-click your network adapter and click Uninstall
After the network adapter is uninstalled, restart your PC

Solution Eleven – Update Network Adapter drivers

The problem could be related to outdated network adapter drivers. You can update drivers manually or use a Driver Update Tool to update network drivers automatically. Here we have shared both methods to update network adapter drivers

Update drivers manually

Open Device Manager
Go to Network Adapters, expand it and right-click your network adapter
Click Update Software
Click Browse my computer for driver software.
Click Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
Ensure the Show compatible hardware option is not checked.
Find your network adapter manufacturer and select the driver you wish to install
After installing the driver, restart your computer

Update Drivers Automatically

If you don’t want to spend your precious time updating drivers manually or lack the technical knowledge needed to work with Device Manager, we recommend you use a driver update utility.

The software will update your network and other outdated drivers and keep them up-to-date.

Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app

Step 2
Scan all devices

Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically

Solution Twelve – Reset Router

In many cases, the problem lies in the router. If none of the above solutions work for you, the last resort is resetting the router. Refer to the router documentation to find out the steps to reset your router.