PC is refusing to connect to new internet with "Can't connect to this network"

Question

PC is refusing to connect to new internet with "Can't connect to this network"

Madeline 5

So, a decent while ago my last internet was broke due to a lightning strike, and I had to get a new one. This new internet worked fine for all other devices except my pc.

Initially, I couldn't get it to connect to my pc whatsoever. I set up an extender that I had from the previous internet which ended up helping, but not fixing. From then till just yesterday, I had to struggle with the internet as it would keep saying "Can't connect to this network", until the disconnecting slowed enough for my pc to be usable.

Now, however, both the normal and extended internet are completely unusable with "cant connect to this network". Ive tried all sorts of things I've seen online, none have worked.

That includes:

-Uninstalling and reinstalling my network drivers

-Attempting to update network drivers

-Unplugging and plugging in my router

Network resets

-Using a series commands in Command Prompt - (netsh int ip reset ; netsh winsock ; reset ipconfig /release ; ipconfig /renew ; ipconfig /flushdns)

Im completely at a loss for what this could be, and im really tired of all these issues. So id be really happy if anyone could help me solve whatever this may be.

(Note, when i first got my pc, it had a very difficult time connecting to the original internet, but it still did eventually. And there were no severe problems like this)

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Answer recommended by moderator

Madeline 5

Hey, I actually had someone help solve this. My Pc was too far from the router and it has no antenna, moving it out about 2 feet made the internet work. Just need to get the antenna and it should work fine.

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1 additional answer

Your answer

Answer 1

Forget both saved Wi‑Fi profiles and reconnect from scratch, because this rebuilds the stored password and security settings without repeating the driver, router, network-reset, or TCP/IP steps already attempted.

1. Recreate the Wi‑Fi profiles

Open Settings → Network & internet → Wi‑Fi → Manage known networks.
Select the normal router network and choose Forget.
Do the same for the extender network.
Select the network icon on the taskbar, choose the normal router network, and enter its current password manually.
If that fails, repeat with the extender.

This is Microsoft’s documented profile-recovery step for a Wi‑Fi connection failure.^1^

2. Disable Wi‑Fi adapter power saving

The earlier recurring disconnections make this a plausible, low-risk check:

Right-click Start → Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click the wireless adapter—not Ethernet, Bluetooth, or a virtual adapter—and select Properties.
Open Power Management.
Clear Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
Select OK, restart Windows, and test again.

This setting has resolved Windows 11 cases involving repeated Wi‑Fi adapter disconnections.^2^

If there is no Power Management tab, skip this step; not every adapter driver exposes it.

3. Test a different access point and frequency

Turn on a phone’s hotspot temporarily and try connecting the PC to it.

Hotspot works: the adapter can connect in that tested configuration. This does not prove that its hardware or driver is fault-free, but it points toward a compatibility problem between the PC adapter and the new router.
Hotspot also fails: focus on the PC’s adapter, OEM driver, or hardware.
2.4 GHz works but 5 GHz does not: check the adapter’s supported bands and the router’s band/channel configuration.

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

netsh wlan show drivers
netsh wlan show interfaces
netsh wlan show networks mode=bssid
netsh wlan show wlanreport

The BSSID output includes the visible networks’ signal, channel, and radio type. The WLAN report records recent connection attempts, disconnect reasons, adapter details, and related events.^3^

Compare:

Radio types supported under show drivers
The router’s radio type/channel under show networks mode=bssid
Whether the PC can see separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names

If the router offers separate bands, test 2.4 GHz first. Microsoft recommends testing the other frequency when one band will not connect.^1^

4. Use the WLAN report to choose the next action

Open the HTML file path displayed by netsh wlan show wlanreport, then find the failed attempt at the matching time.

Authentication, credentials, or incompatible connection parameters: recheck the password. If it is correct, consult the router or ISP documentation and verify that its security mode is supported by the PC. Do not weaken router security unless the report specifically indicates a compatibility failure; Windows 11 supports WPA2-era methods and WPA3 modes, but actual capability also depends on the wireless adapter and driver.^4^
Association failure, unsupported radio, band, or channel: test 2.4 GHz and compare the router settings with netsh wlan show drivers.
Adapter/driver errors or no interface: install the WLAN driver supplied for the exact PC model or Wi‑Fi adapter.

You can also inspect Event Viewer → Applications and Services Logs → Microsoft → Windows → WLAN-AutoConfig → Operational at the exact failure time.^3^

5. Install the manufacturer’s driver, not another automatic update

Since Device Manager reinstall/update already failed, do not repeat that method. Using another device if necessary:

Identify the exact PC model and Wi‑Fi adapter model in Device Manager.
Download its Windows 11 WLAN driver from the PC manufacturer’s support site.
Transfer it by USB and run the manufacturer’s installer.
Restart and retest.

A Device Manager update can report that the “best” driver is installed while the PC manufacturer provides a different adapter-specific package; this is the recommended next driver branch after ordinary reinstall/update attempts fail.^5^

If the PC still cannot connect to either the router or a phone hotspot, test with Ethernet or a known-working USB Wi‑Fi adapter. If the USB adapter works consistently, the built-in adapter or its compatibility is the remaining likely fault and should be serviced or replaced.

References