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How to reset your network adapter in Windows 10

Updated July 19, 2020

Has your Internet connection gotten slower over time? Maybe you had a virus, and now your Internet connection isn't running correctly? It may be time to clean up your network connection. Here's how to reset your network adapter(s) in Windows 10.

How to reset your network adapter in Windows 10

When it comes to restoring network connectivity in Windows 10, sometimes the best thing you can do is reset the network adapter(s). I have found that this is one of the most effective ways of getting a system back online. There are two (2) ways of resetting network adapter(s) in Windows 10, primary and advanced.

The one thing to keep in mind when resetting your network adapter(s) is you may have to reinstall networking software, like VPN software and virtual appliances. Resetting the network adapter(s) back to default will reset the Windows Firewall back to its default settings.

The primary way of resetting the network adapters in Windows 10.

  1. Left-click on the Start Windows logo button to bring up the Start menu.
  2. Left-click on Settings (gear icon).
  3. Left-click on Network & Internet.
  4. In the left-hand column, left-click on Status.
  5. In the right-hand column, left-click on Network reset.
  6. On the Network reset page, left-click on Reset now.
  7. A dialog box will appear, asking if you are sure about resetting the network setting. Left-click on Yes.
  8. Your computer will automatically restart within five minutes.

The advanced way of resetting the network adapters in Windows 10.

Windows 10 has a command-line utility called Netsh (Network Shell) that allows you to display and modify your computer's network configuration. The most common use of Netsh is to reset the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) stack back to default. Since Netsh is a command-line tool, you will need to use a Command Prompt with Administrative privileges.

How to open a Command Prompt with Administrator privileges in Windows 10 (link will open in a separate window)

Netsh commands for resetting your network adapter in Windows 10

Netsh commands run in a Command Prompt with Administrative privileges
Netsh commands run in a Command Prompt with Administrative privileges

Note: This section is intended for advanced computer users. If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, ask someone for help. Follow these steps to reset the Windows Firewall, TCP/IP stack, and Winsock manually. You will have to restart your system to complete the reset.

The following is a list of the Netsh commands with descriptions that you can use to reset your network adapter in Windows 10:

netsh advfirewall reset

Restores the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security policy to the default policy. The current active policy can be optionally exported to a specified file. This command returns all settings to not configured and deletes all connection security and firewall rules in a Group Policy object.

netsh int ip reset

Removes all user-configured IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) settings. Restarting the computer is required before the default settings will take effect.

netsh int ipv6 reset

Removes all user-configured IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) settings. Restarting the computer is required before the default settings will take effect.

netsh winsock reset

Resets Winsock Catalog to a clean state. All Winsock Layered Service Providers, which were previously installed, must be reinstalled. This command does not affect Winsock Name Space Provider entries.

Comments (17) -

catherine walsh

Thanks for information to sharing ...

Reply

Thank you very much ! After upgrading from Win 7  to Win 10 there become don't work Skype, Chrome, Tapin Radio (but Edge worked). After executing commands and rebooting all programs becomes online again!

Reply

Mahesh Patel

I was trying hard sin my upgrade to 10 since last two days but this worked.
Great, this worked for me.
Thank You so much.

Reply

I trying this solution but not solved my problem.
In windows 10 after update not open secure connection "https" such as facebook, youtube , google and ... with all browsers. (chrome, IE, firefox)
please help

Reply

Scott St. Gelais

The problem you are having with accessing secure websites is probably associated with your security software or Internet service provider. I would first try disabling / removing your security software (anti-virus, anti-malware, etc.). If that doesn't fix the issue, I would contact your ISP and see if they are restricting your access to HTTPS websites.

Reply

Isn't it just awesome that this is still happening since the days of Windows 98?   ... Me, 2000, NT, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10......   I mean seriously, why haven't dopey Microsoft fixed this yet?

Reply

Your screenshot says, "resetting failed, access is denied."  Is that how it should be.  If not, how do you gain access? Thanks.

Reply

Scott St. Gelais

There are a couple of settings that are domain related and if you are not part of a domain, you cannot access them. The screen shot reflects this.

Reply

Thanks - another Surface Pro 3 woe fixed!

Reply

hi everyone i have a problem when i put all this commands .. i find that msg ..
netsh winsock reset
The requested operation requires elevation (Run as administrator).

Reply

Scott St. Gelais

All of these commands need to be run inside of a command prompt with administrative privileges (see link above).

Reply

please help me in that .. i reset the network from settings but nothing happend .. by the way i'm using windows 10 .. the action that i was trying to do is make a hostednetwork from the CMD and i'm change some settings that i didn't remember and i make but i lost everything lol .. please help me in that

Reply

Scott St. Gelais

Check out this article on how to create a wireless hosted network. msdn.microsoft.com/.../dd815243(v=vs.85).aspx

Reply

Hi
I tried all these commands several times and restarted my PC. Still internet not working. Anything else I should try.  I am using Windows 10.

TIA

Reply

Scott St. Gelais

Here are a couple ideas on how to get your network adapter functioning again. www.geeksinphoenix.com/.../...rk-connectivity.aspx

Reply

Thank you Scott,

I tried all of them still no luck yet. Anything else I can do.
Thanks

Reply

Harikrishnan

Helped me...
Thank you

Reply

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