Overview
Restarting a network adapter (disabling and re-enabling it) clears many temporary connectivity glitches on both Ethernet and Wi-Fi. This guide shows five reliable ways to disable, enable, or restart your network adapter in Windows 11.
Restarting the network adapter clears many connection problems.
Key Takeaways
- Restarting an adapter = disabling it, then enabling it again.
- It often fixes “no internet”, limited connectivity, or a stuck connection.
- Settings and Control Panel are easiest; PowerShell and Command Prompt are best for scripts.
- You need administrator rights for the command-line and Device Manager methods.
Method 1 — Settings
1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings.
2. Find your Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter.
3. Click Disable, wait a moment, then click Enable.
Method 2 — Control Panel (Network Connections)
1. Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Right-click your adapter and choose Disable.
3. Right-click it again and choose Enable.
Method 3 — Device Manager
1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click your adapter, choose Disable device, confirm, then right-click and choose Enable device.
Method 4 — PowerShell
1. Right-click Start and open Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. List adapters: Get-NetAdapter
3. Restart one: Restart-NetAdapter -Name "Wi-Fi" (or use Disable-NetAdapter / Enable-NetAdapter).
Method 5 — Command Prompt
1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. List interfaces: netsh interface show interface
3. Disable: netsh interface set interface "Wi-Fi" admin=disable
4. Enable: netsh interface set interface "Wi-Fi" admin=enable
Tip: Replace "Wi-Fi" with your adapter’s exact name (from Get-NetAdapter or the show interface command).
Troubleshooting
Problem: The adapter will not re-enable.
Solution: Restart the PC, update the network driver in Device Manager, and check the adapter is not disabled in the firmware (for built-in Wi-Fi, ensure the wireless switch/hotkey is on).
Problem: Still no internet after restarting.
Solution: Run the Network troubleshooter, flush DNS (ipconfig /flushdns), and renew the IP (ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew).
Problem: The command says the interface was not found.
Solution: Use the exact adapter name from netsh interface show interface or Get-NetAdapter, including correct spacing.
Problem: The adapter is missing entirely.
Solution: Open Device Manager > View > Show hidden devices, or reinstall the network driver; check it is enabled in BIOS/UEFI.
Conclusion
Restarting a network adapter is a quick first step for connection issues. Use Settings or Control Panel for a fast fix, and PowerShell or Command Prompt when you want to script it.
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