How to Fix the “Windows 10 Can’t Connect to This Network” Error

“Can’t connect to this network”, don’t worry we’ve all been there, trying to connect to Wi-Fi and instead of getting online your window 10 hits you with this pop-up. It’s kind of frustrating, I know, everything was working properly and suddenly this message appeared on your window while other devices were connected and working. So what went wrong here?

It’s an error, and this error can be caused by several reasons, maybe a driver got outdated, something is wrong with your saved network settings, or probably the recent system update caused a glitch. But don’t you worry, there are several easy fixes that you can try to get yourself out of this and be back online.

Let’s look at the ways through which we can fix this network problem in our Windows 10.

1. Forget and Reconnect to the Network

Go to Windows Settings and look for Network and Internet Settings > Network & Internet

Then go to “Wi-Fi” and click on “Manage Known Networks”.

Network & internet, Wi-Fi, Manage known networks (Add, remove, and edit networks)

You’ll view all the networks you have ever been connected to, and you can manage your network from here.

Select the network you are connected with or want to connect with and click “Forget”.

Now reconnect with the network you want to connect by entering the Wi-Fi password again.

Network and internet, Wi-Fi network, Manage known networks, Forget network.

2. Restart your Router and Computer

A simple restart usually solves many issues, it can also fix temporary connectivity problems.

Turn off your router for at least 30 seconds, then turn it back ON.

Restart your system as well.

3. Update Network Adapter Drivers

Press Win + X, a tool bar will open, select “Device Manager”.

Or search for “Device Manager” from the search bar below.

Look for Network Adapters once you open Device Manager.

Expand Network Adapters.

Then Right click on your Wi-Fi Adapter and select “Update driver”.

Network adapters, Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller Update Driver

Now, choose “Search automatically for drivers” for updated driver software.

Update Drivers, Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller, Search automatically for drivers.

4. Disable and Re-enable Network Adapter

In Device Manager, right click on your Wi-Fi adapter. Select Disable device.

Network adapters, WAN Miniport L2TP Disable Device.

WAN Miniport L2TP Network adapter, Disable device, Disabling this device will cause it to stop functioning. Do you really want to disable it? Yes.

Wait for a few seconds and then again right click on it and select “Enable device”.

Network adapters, WAN Miniport L2TP Enable device.

5. Run Network Troubleshooter

Go to Windows Settings and open “Update & Security”.

Windows Settings, Windows Update and Security

Then select “Troubleshoot” from the left corner.

Windows Settings, Update and Security, Troubleshoot

Once you access the Troubleshoot interface, click on “Additional troubleshooters” and then select “Internet connection”.

Windows Settings, Update and Security, Troubleshoot, Additional troubleshooters.

Now select “Run the Troubleshooter”.

Windows Settings, Additional troubleshooters, Internet Connections, Run the troubleshooter.

From here follow the on-screen instructions to detect and fix your network issue.

Windows 10 Internet Connections, Please select the issue Windows should troubleshoot, Troubleshoot my connection to the Internet.

6. Uninstall and Reinstall Network Adapter

Open Device Manager and go to Network adapters. Then right click on the network you want to uninstall. Then select Uninstall device.

Device Manager, Network adapters, WAN Miniport (IKEv2), Uninstall device.

Now restart your computer and Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

Conclusion

This “Windows 10 can’t connect to this network” error can be caused by several factors, but they might be resolved with these simple yet quick steps that you can try by yourself without any help from a technician. Start with basic ones, like forgetting the network or restarting the system then gradually move forward.