If you’re encountering the frustrating “Can’t connect to this network” error on your Windows laptop—even when you’re entering the correct password—don’t worry. This article will guide you through a few simple steps to troubleshoot and fix the issue. These fixes have worked for many users facing similar connectivity problems, and they are straightforward to follow.

Common Symptoms

• Wi-Fi appears in the available networks list, but doesn’t connect.
• You receive a popup error: “Can’t connect to this network.”
• You’ve entered the correct password, but connection fails.
• Network settings or saved credentials might be corrupted.

Let’s walk through three essential methods to resolve this issue.

Step 1: Change Network Connections Service to Manual

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and hit Enter.
3. In the Services window, scroll down and find Network Connections.
4. Double-click it to open its properties.
5. Set the Startup type to Manual (change from Automatic if necessary).
6. Click Apply, then OK to save the changes.

✅ This step ensures that the system loads network services efficiently without conflicts.

Step 2: Update Wi-Fi Driver via Device Manager

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the section called Network adapters.
3. Look for a device with Wi-Fi in its name (e.g., Intel(R) Wi-Fi, Realtek Wireless Adapter).
4. Right-click the adapter and select Update driver.
5. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

Let Windows search for the best available driver and install it if an update is found. If it’s already up-to-date, proceed to the next step.

🔁 Updating your driver ensures that your system supports the latest Wi-Fi standards and bug fixes.

Step 3: Perform a Network Reset

If the above steps don’t solve the issue, performing a full Network Reset will likely resolve it.

1. Go to Settings (Windows + I).
2. Navigate to Network & Internet.
3. Scroll down and click on Advanced network settings.
4. Under More settings, select Network reset.
5. Click on the Reset now button.

Your computer will restart, and all network adapters will be reinstalled. You’ll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and re-enter the password.

⚠️ This will remove all saved Wi-Fi networks and VPN settings. Ensure you have your Wi-Fi password ready.

Conclusion

By following these three steps—adjusting network services, updating the driver, and resetting the network—you should be able to resolve the “Can’t connect to this network” error. These steps are safe, effective, and easy to perform even for beginners.

Still facing issues? You can try restarting your router or contacting your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to check for hardware-level problems.

Tags:

Wi-Fi connection error, Windows troubleshooting, Network reset, Laptop Wi-Fi issue, Windows 10 fix, Windows 11 Wi-Fi error, Can’t connect to this network, Driver update, Device Manager, Services.msc

Hashtags:

#WindowsTips #WiFiErrorFix #NetworkReset #DeviceManager #WiFiNotConnecting #WindowsHelp #TechFix #LaptopIssues #Windows11 #Windows10

Disclaimer:

This article provides general technical troubleshooting steps for Windows laptops. Please proceed carefully and make sure to back up any critical data before resetting or modifying system settings. The author is not responsible for any unintended system behavior resulting from these actions.

Rakesh Bhardwaj

Rakesh Bhardwaj is a seasoned editor and designer with over 15 years of experience in the creative industry. He specializes in crafting visually compelling and professionally polished content, blending precision with creativity. Whether refining written work or designing impactful visuals, Rakesh brings a deep understanding of layout, typography, and narrative flow to every project he undertakes.

Website · Twitter · More from this author