Few things are as frustrating as Wi-Fi that works for five minutes, drops, reconnects, then drops again, usually in the middle of a video call. When other devices in the house stay connected and only your Windows 11 laptop keeps disconnecting, the cause is almost always on the laptop itself.
Work through these fixes in order. Most people solve it within the first four.
1. Stop Windows Turning Off the Wi-Fi Adapter
Windows can switch off the Wi-Fi adapter to save battery, and it doesn’t always wake up smoothly.
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters and double-click your Wi-Fi adapter (it usually has “Wireless”, “Wi-Fi” or “802.11” in the name).
- Open the Power Management tab.
- Untick Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
- Click OK and restart.
Also check Settings > System > Power & battery and avoid the most aggressive battery saver mode while troubleshooting.
2. Update or Roll Back the Wi-Fi Driver
A buggy driver is one of the most common causes, especially right after a Windows update.
- Update: check Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates for driver updates, or download the latest driver from your laptop maker’s support page (HP, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer) or from Intel, Realtek or MediaTek.
- Roll back: if the problem started after an update, go to Device Manager > your Wi-Fi adapter > Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver.
3. Forget the Network and Reconnect
Saved network profiles can get corrupted. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, select your network, click Forget, then reconnect with the password.
4. Switch Between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
If your router broadcasts one network name for both bands, your laptop may keep jumping between them. Two options:
- In your router settings, give the bands different names (for example “Home” and “Home-5G”) and connect to one.
- In Device Manager > Wi-Fi adapter > Properties > Advanced, look for Preferred Band and set it to 5 GHz (faster, shorter range) or 2.4 GHz (slower, better through walls).
5. Turn Off Random Hardware Addresses
Windows can use a random hardware (MAC) address for privacy. Some routers handle this badly. In Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, turn off Random hardware addresses for your home network and reconnect.
6. Check for Interference and Distance
If the drops happen in one room, or only when the microwave runs, it’s a signal problem, not Windows. Move closer to the router, raise the router off the floor, and keep it away from thick walls, mirrors and appliances. A mesh system or extender helps in larger homes.
7. Run the Network Troubleshooter
Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and run Network and Internet. It won’t fix everything, but it catches common configuration problems automatically.
8. Reset Network Settings
As a last software fix, go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. Your PC will restart and reinstall network adapters. You’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and reinstall VPN software if you use it.
9. Update the Router
If several devices drop at the same time, the router is the more likely culprit. Restart it, update its firmware through its app or admin page, and consider replacing it if it’s more than five or six years old.
When It’s Probably Hardware
If Wi-Fi keeps dropping after a network reset and fresh drivers, and a USB Wi-Fi adapter works fine, the laptop’s internal Wi-Fi card may be failing. On many laptops it can be replaced cheaply; on others, a small USB adapter is the easiest fix.
If your laptop is slow in general as well, our guide on speeding up a Windows PC is worth a look.
Quick Checklist
If you want a short version to keep:
- Turn off Wi-Fi power saving in Device Manager.
- Update or roll back the Wi-Fi driver.
- Forget the network and reconnect.
- Stick to one band (5 GHz near the router, 2.4 GHz further away).
- Turn off random hardware addresses for your home network.
- Reset network settings if nothing else works.
Test for a day after each change so you know which one fixed it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my laptop Wi-Fi disconnect but my phone doesn’t?
Because the cause is usually on the laptop: power-saving settings, an outdated or buggy driver, or band switching.
Can a Windows update cause Wi-Fi to disconnect?
Yes. Updates sometimes install a driver that doesn’t work well with your hardware. Rolling back the driver usually fixes it.
Does a network reset delete my files?
No. It only removes network adapters and saved network settings. Your files are not affected.
Should I use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz?
Use 5 GHz if you’re close to the router for faster speeds, and 2.4 GHz if you’re far away or behind walls for a more stable connection.