Wi-Fi stopped working, and you need to reinstall its driver. Start with Device Manager, then use a matching manufacturer download if Windows doesn't restore the adapter. Save that replacement before uninstalling anything so you're ready even without an internet connection.
Save a replacement driver before you start
Open Device Manager by right-clicking Start.
Expand Network adapters to find your Wi-Fi adapter's name.
Choose a Windows 11 wireless driver on your PC manufacturer's support page, or the adapter vendor's page for a separate Wi-Fi adapter. Match your exact PC model, adapter, hardware revision, and Windows architecture. An x64 driver cannot substitute for an ARM64 driver, and manufacturer packages can include model-specific customizations.
Download the matching package to your PC before removing the installed driver.
Tip: If your PC has no internet connection, download the package on another computer and transfer it with USB storage.
Uninstall the Wi-Fi adapter and restart
This gives Windows a chance to reinstall the adapter with an available compatible driver.
Open Device Manager by right-clicking Start.
Expand Network adapters.
Select Uninstall device from your Wi-Fi adapter's right-click menu.
Select Uninstall to confirm.
Restart through Start > Power > Restart. Windows attempts to reinstall the adapter during startup, using an available driver. That includes cached drivers, so this doesn't guarantee the newest version.
Check your Wi-Fi connection after Windows starts.
When Windows needs the manufacturer driver
If the adapter doesn't reinstall automatically, run the manufacturer installer you saved earlier and complete its prompts. For a package containing driver files instead of an installer, extract the complete package first.
Find the adapter in Device Manager > Network adapters, or under Other devices if Windows hasn't identified it.
Choose Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers from the adapter's right-click menu. This tells Windows to use your downloaded files.
Select the extracted folder through Browse.... Confirm with OK, then select Next to install the driver. Select Close when installation finishes.
Remove the existing driver package for a fresh reinstall
An ordinary uninstall and restart lets Windows reuse the existing driver package.
Save a compatible replacement package before continuing. Removing the installed driver package requires administrator access.
Open Device Manager > Network adapters.
Select Uninstall device from your Wi-Fi adapter's right-click menu.
Select Attempt to remove the driver for this device, if the checkbox appears.
Select Uninstall.
Restart through Start > Power > Restart.
Install your saved replacement if Windows doesn't restore the adapter automatically. If the removal checkbox was unavailable, install the matching manufacturer package after the ordinary uninstall and restart.
A separate approach for USB Wi-Fi adapters
Disconnect your USB Wi-Fi adapter before uninstalling its device or driver package.
Select Device Manager > View > Show hidden devices to display the disconnected adapter.
Expand Network adapters.
Select Uninstall device from the relevant disconnected Wi-Fi adapter's right-click menu. Removing an unrelated hidden adapter won't reinstall the adapter you use.
Install the compatible vendor driver when the adapter's installation instructions require it.
Reconnect the adapter at the point specified by its manufacturer. Windows redetects the hardware, but unplugging and reconnecting alone doesn't replace the installed driver package.
If this fails, install the matching extracted driver through Device Manager using the folder-selection method above.
If Wi-Fi broke after a driver update
Rolling back restores the previous driver after an update causes trouble.
Open Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Select Properties from your Wi-Fi adapter's right-click menu.
Open the Driver tab.
Select Roll Back Driver. This requires administrator access and a retained previous driver; it restores that version instead of installing a fresh download.
Choose a reason for the rollback.
Select Yes.
Restart through Start > Power > Restart if Windows requests it.
If Roll Back Driver is unavailable, install a compatible manufacturer package using the method above.
Check Windows Update for a compatible driver
Without an available compatible driver, Windows cannot restore the adapter automatically.
Connect through Ethernet or another available internet connection if Wi-Fi is unavailable.
Select Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
Install the offered updates.
Restart through Start > Power > Restart.
Open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.
Enable Receive updates for other Microsoft products.
Open Optional updates > Driver updates. Optional drivers aren't installed automatically.
Select the matching Wi-Fi driver offered for your hardware.
Select Download and install.
Restart through Start > Power > Restart after installation. Windows Update installs offered drivers; it doesn't force the same version to reinstall.
If no matching driver is listed, download the compatible package from your manufacturer's support page.
Network reset as a broader fallback
If the targeted reinstall hasn't restored your connection, Network reset removes and reinstalls every network adapter with default settings. That includes Wi-Fi, but it doesn't guarantee a new manufacturer driver package. VPN software and virtual switches sometimes need reconfiguration afterward.
Open Start > Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
Select Reset now. Confirm with Yes. Allow Windows to restart.
If the connection still fails, open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Select Run beside Network and Internet. Follow the Get Help diagnostics and proposed fixes; running these diagnostics doesn't guarantee a driver reinstall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Search automatically for drivers force a reinstall?
No. It checks for a driver and can report that the best driver is already installed without reinstalling anything.
Will restarting my router or toggling Wi-Fi reinstall the driver?
No. Restarting the router, toggling Wi-Fi, forgetting a network, and running network-reset commands such as netsh winsock reset do not reinstall the Wi-Fi driver.
Can a manufacturer's update app reinstall the same driver version?
Update scanners such as Dell SupportAssist, MyASUS, and Intel Driver & Support Assistant install offered drivers. They do not guarantee reinstallation of the version already installed.
Why is driver installation blocked on my work computer?
Managed devices can have policies that prevent driver installation. Contact your IT administrator to permit the installation or provide the approved driver.