Internet connection issues are enough to frustrate anyone, especially in the days of pandemics. Hopefully, we still able to have it though, there are cities that still lack a decent internet speed and we cannot do anything about that except finding a decent ISP (Internet service provider) accordingly. We all know how the Internet is important nowadays because we have already stepped into the digital era. Consuming social media to exploring the streaming entertainment service, enjoying online games to running a business, and more, an internet connection is all we need. On the other side, if you’re using Windows 10 operating system on your computer, have you ever experienced a “Can’t connect to this network” error while connecting your system to a network?

This error will not allow you to connect your PC to any network. If you have been victimized with the same issue, let me tell you, you have probably landed on the right post. Here, we will discuss how to fix ” Can’t connect to this network error” on your Windows 10 PC. So, make sure to go through the article till the end that we have managed to prepared for you. Without wasting much of your time, let’s get started.

See also: Fix Windows 10 System Service Exception (BSOD) Error

When “Can’t connect to this network” occurs?

It is noticed that the network error message encounters or trigger when users try to:

• Change their Wi-Fi password
• Try to connect to the Wi-Fi after resetting it
• Connect Wi-Fi after a network disconnection

Now, let’s see why the network error occurs.

Why “Can’t connect to this network” error occurs?

Mind you, there could be more than one reason why this issue is occurring. Here, we will discuss the possible reason that is causing this error to be encountering. According to the sources, we came to know that this issue encounters depending upon the user’s system configuration and the environment. Following are some possible reason for this issue:

• Interruption of Firewall or Antivirus
• Corrupted Wireless Network Mode
• Encryption Key errors
• Outdated, corrupted, incomplete drivers related to Wireless Network Adapters
• Invalid TCP/IP protocols
• Restriction issues of IPv6
• Damaged connection files
• Conflicting 802.11n specification related to LAN / WLAN communications

The list mentioned above is valid possible reasons that are causing the network error. But the majority of the people have noticed and reported that the network error is due to the Network Adapter Drivers, it could be outdated or corrupted. Anyways, let’s move on to possible fixes.

Forget and Reconnect to The Network

Forgetting and reconnecting to the network is the major thing you can perform. here, we are just trying to simply try to resolve the issue by reconnecting to the network. Follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: On the Windows 10 Taskbar, right-click on the network icon located on the right side and click on Open Network & Internet settings.

Step 2: Now click on the Wi-Fi option present under the Network & Internet section located on the left side in order to view wireless adapters.

Step 3: Now, click on the Manage known network located on the right side of the pane to see available networks.

Step 4: A list will be visible under Manage known networks showing you the networks that your system has connected earlier, find the required network and click on Forget.

Step 5: the network will be successfully removed from your Windows 10 PC.

Step 6: Now, just perform a network scan and get connected to the available network.

Check if the network issue has been resolved or not.

Run the Network Troubleshooter

I’m very glad that Windows 10 have its own personal network troubleshooter option available that allows you to detect and help us to resolve the issue. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Click on the Windows icon and click non Settings.

Step 2: Now, click on Network & Internet.

Step 3: From the left sidebar, click on the Status.

Step 4: Under the Status section, click on the Network Troubleshooter represented with the warning icon.

Step 5: Run the network troubleshooting and wait for Windows to diagnose and fix the network error on your system.

Update Network Adapter Drivers

As mentioned, this network issue mostly happens due to outdated Network Adapter Drivers. Updating them could help you to resolve the issue. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Do a right-click on the Windows icon and click on Device Manager.

Step 2: Now, search and click right click on Network adapters in order to expand the list.

Step 3: Under Network adapters, do a right-click on Wi-Fi Adapter and select Update Driver Software.

Step 4: On the next window screen, select to choose Search automatically for updated driver software option and follow the on-screen instructions that will guide to install updated driver software if one is available.

Run Network Troubleshooting using Commands

This method will allow you to reset TCP/IP Static, Release IP address, Renew IP Address, and Reset the DNS client cache. This can be done by using Windows 10 command prompt:

Step 1: Right-click on the Windows icon and select Command Prompt in order to open it.

Step 2: In Command Prompt, type the following command line and press enter:

netsh winsock reset

Also, type the following command and press enter on each command line:

netsh int ip reset

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

ipconfig /flushdns

Step 3: You can close the Command Prompt and perform a system reboot.

After the system is rebooted, see if the network issue has been resolved. Else move on to the next fix.

Perform a Registry Fix using Command Prompt

To do so, users need to do the following:

Step 1: Right-click on the Windows icon and select Command prompt.

Step 2: Now, type the following command on each line and press Enter:

reg delete HKCR\CLSID\{988248f3-a1ad-49bf-9170-676cbbc36ba3} /va /f


netcfg -v -u dni_dne

Step 2: Now restart your system, and connect your system to the network.

Uninstall Network Adapters Drivers

Uninstalling Network Adapters can resolve the “Can’t connect to this network” error. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Do a right-click on the Windows icon and click on Device Manager.

Step 2: Click on the Network Adapters in order to expand the list, and search your network adapter name.

Step 3: Right-click on the Network adapter and uninstall it.

Step 4: If it asks you for the uninstall confirmation, click on Yes.

Step 5: Now restart your system, the Network adapter drivers will configure the required files and install themselves automatically.

Disable IPv6

Some users have reported that disabling IPv6 has resolved their network issue. Let’s see how to disable it:

Step 1: Go to settings, and click on Network and Internet.

Step 1: Select the Change adapter option under the Status section.

Step 3: Now, search your network adapter and right-click on it, and select Properties.

Step 4: You will see a small window containing options that will help you to enable and disable the adapter. Just untick the Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) box to disable and click on OK.

Reset the Network Settings

Sometimes, the network issues often get resolved by resetting a network, this is the simple thing you can do. Follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Do a right-click on the Windows icon and select Settings.

Step 2: Go to Network & Internet.

Step 3: Now, select Status located on the left sidebar of the screen.

Step 4: Under the Status section, click on the Network reset.

Step 5: Now, click on the Reset now button in order to reset your network settings.

Disable Network Adapter 802.1 1n Mode

To do so, users need to do the following:

Step 1: Click on the Network icon located at the right side on the taskbar, and select Open Network and Sharing Centre”.

Step 2: Select your Wi-Fi and click on Properties.

Step 3: Click on Configure under Wi-Fi properties.

Step 4: Now, click on the Advanced tab and select 802.11n mode from the Property, and select Value to Disabled.

Step 5: Click on OK and reboot your system.

Try to Change the Channel Width of Network Adapter

Follow the steps to change the Channel channel width of network adapters:

Step 1: Press Windows + R keys together to summon Window’s RUN feature, and type ncpa.cpl

Step 2: Select your current Wi-Fi and select Properties.

Step 3: Now, click on Configure…

Step 4: Now, click on the Advanced tab and select 802.11n mode from the Property, and select Value to 20Mhz Only.

Step 5: Click on OK and reboot your system, and check the network issue.

Disable Antivirus and Firewall (Temporarily)

Antivirus and Firewall could the reason behind the network issue. It can interfere in many programs if it’s enabled, also, it will prevent you from visiting any required web pages. here’s how to disable them:

Disable Antivirus program

Step 1: Click on the system tray located at the right side of your Window’s Taskbar, and right-click the Antivirus program icon.

Step 2: Now, select to choose Disable antivirus program.

Disable Window’s Firewall

Follow the steps mentioned below, to disable Window’s firewall:

Step 1: Press and Windows + I to summon Control Panel.

Step 2: Now, select System and Security located at the left sidebar of the screen.

Step 3: Select Windows Firewall.

Step 4: From the sidebar located on the left side of the screen, click on Turn Windows Firewall on or off.

Step 5: Here, select Turn off Windows Firewall.

Step 6: Restart your system.

Now, connect to the network and check if the network issue has been resolved or not.

Add Network Connection manually

Instead of adding an automatic network connection, try to add it locally. here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Click on the Network icon located at the left side of Window’s Taskbar, and select Open Network and Sharing Centre.

Step 2: Now, click on Set up a new connection or network.

Step 3: Here, select to choose Manually connect to a wireless network and click on Next.

Step 4: Follow the on-screen prompts, and Enter the username and password to configure the new network connection.

Step 5: Click on Next, to finish the process.

Now check if the “Can’t connect to this network” error has been resolved.

Change Security Network Key for Wireless Adapter

Step 1: Click on the Network icon located at the left side of Window’s Taskbar, and select Open Network and Sharing Centre.

Step 2: Select your current Wi-Fi connection, and click on Wireless Properties.

Step 3: Now, click on the Security tab and select the same security type that your router is using.

Step 4: Try to select different options available and check if the issue has been resolved.

Restart your Windows 10 PC.

Change Power Management Settings

Try to change the power management settings, here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Press and Windows + R and type devmgmt.msc and press Enter.

Step 2: Click on the Network adapters to expand the list, right-click on the installed network adapters and click on Properties.

Step 4: Click on the Power Management tab and untick Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power option. And exit the Device Manager.

Step 5: Next, press Windows + I to open Settings, and click on System.

Step 6: Now, click on Power & sleep section located on the left sidebar.

Step 7: Click on the Additional power settings, and click on Change plan settings.

Step 8: Now, click on Change advance power settings.

Step 9: Right-click on Wireless Adapters Settings to expand the list, and click on Power Saving Mode.

Step 10: You will get to see two modes, On battery and Plugged in, change and keep them on Maximum Performance.

Conclusion

All the Fixes mentioned above are valid fixes. “Can’t connect to this network” error will prevent you from connecting your system to the internet connection. But by following the solutions mentioned above should have done the work.

In case, if you experience the same issue in the future, you can always re-visit the same post to resolve the issue.

That’s it for now, hope this helps! Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. Till then stay tuned for more info.

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