How to Use Network Reset in Windows 11 Without Losing Track of VPN Settings

Windows 11 includes a Network reset option for connection problems that survive normal troubleshooting. It can help when an adapter configuration is badly damaged, after an upgrade, or when the PC can reach the Internet but local network resources behave incorrectly.

It is also a fairly broad reset, so use it after simpler fixes—not before them.

What Network reset does

Network reset removes the network adapters installed in Windows and resets their networking settings. After the PC restarts, Windows detects and reinstalls the adapters with default configuration.

That can clear stubborn TCP/IP and adapter configuration problems, but it can also affect software that installs its own network adapters.

Before you click Reset now

If you use any of the following, make a note of the configuration first:

• Corporate or personal VPN software
• Hyper-V virtual switches
• VMware or VirtualBox networking
• Custom static IP addresses
• Manual DNS servers
• Special proxy settings

Some VPN clients and virtualization products may need to repair or reinstall their virtual network components after a reset. If the PC is managed by your employer, check with IT before resetting networking.

Try these simpler steps first

Before using Network reset, restart the router and PC, run the Network and Internet troubleshooter in Get Help, forget and reconnect to the affected Wi-Fi network, and update the network adapter driver.

If only one Wi-Fi network is broken, forgetting that network is much less disruptive than resetting every network adapter.

How to run Network reset

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Network & internet.
3. Open Advanced network settings.
4. Select Network reset.
5. Select Reset now.
6. Confirm the reset.

Windows schedules a restart. Save your work before starting the process.

What to check after Windows restarts

Reconnect to Wi-Fi and test normal Internet access. If you previously used a static address, manual DNS server, VPN, or virtual network, verify those settings instead of assuming Windows restored them.

Also check the network profile. After a reset, Windows may treat a network as Public. If you rely on local file or printer sharing on a trusted home network, review Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi/Ethernet > Network profile type before changing firewall rules.

When Network reset will not help

It cannot fix an ISP outage, a failing router, damaged Ethernet cable, unsupported wireless hardware, or a hardware switch that has disabled Wi-Fi. It is a Windows configuration reset—not a universal Internet repair button.

Export what you can before resetting

If your VPN application supports exporting profiles, save them before the reset. For a manually configured Windows VPN, record the server name, VPN type, sign-in method, and any custom DNS or routing details. On a business machine, those values may be deployed automatically, but do not assume that without checking.

You can also take screenshots of Settings > Network & internet and run ipconfig /all from Terminal to keep a reference to the current adapter configuration.

Do not confuse Network reset with a router reset

Windows Network reset changes the networking configuration on this PC only. It does not restart, reconfigure, or factory-reset your router. If every device in the house is offline, troubleshoot the modem/router or ISP first. Resetting Windows networking on one PC cannot repair an upstream outage.

Official references

Microsoft Support — Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in WindowsOfficial reference