How to Fix "Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting" on Windows 11 (A 5-Step Guide)
It's one of the most maddening problems of modern life. You're in the middle of an important Zoom call, streaming a movie, or in a competitive online game, and suddenly... your Wi-Fi drops. Again.
The connection icon spins, then shows a little 'X', and you're offline. This random disconnecting issue is incredibly common on Windows 10 and 11 laptops.
The good news is that the solution is usually very simple. Before you blame your Internet provider, follow these 5 steps, starting with the easiest.
Step 1: Restart Everything (The Right Way)
This fixes more problems than you'd think. It's not just your PC; it's your router (the box that gives you Wi-Fi).
Restart your PC: Click Start > Power > Restart.
Restart your router: Unplug the power cable from your Wi-Fi router. Don't just plug it back in. Wait a full 30 seconds. This forces it to clear its internal memory. Plug it back in and wait 2-3 minutes for it to fully boot up.
Test your connection. If it still drops, move to Step 2.
Step 2: Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter
This is the "Ask the Doctor" button built into Windows. It's not perfect, but it can often find and fix problems automatically.
Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
Click "Other troubleshooters".
Find "Network Adapter" and click the "Run" button next to it.
Follow the on-screen prompts.
Step 3: "Forget" and Reconnect to Your Network
Sometimes, the saved connection profile for your Wi-Fi network gets corrupted. You need to delete it and reconnect as if it were a new network.
Click the Wi-Fi icon on your taskbar.
Click the small ">" arrow next to your Wi-Fi icon to see all networks.
Find the network you are connected to. Right-click on it and select "Forget".
Your PC will disconnect. Now, find your network in the list again, click it, select "Connect," and re-enter your Wi-Fi password.
Step 4: Update Your Wi-Fi Driver
A "driver" is the mini-software that lets Windows talk to the physical Wi-Fi chip in your laptop. If this driver is old or buggy, it can cause drops.
Click the Start Menu and type "Device Manager". Open it.
In the new window, find and double-click "Network adapters" to expand the list.
You'll see your Wi-Fi adapter (it will usually have "Wi-Fi," "Wireless," or a brand name like "Intel" in it).
Right-click on it and select "Update driver".
Choose "Search automatically for drivers". Windows will do its best to find a new one.
Step 5: The "Hidden" Power Saving Fix (This is the most likely culprit)
This is the fix that works for most people. By default, Windows is allowed to turn off your Wi-Fi card to "save power," which can cause random drops. You need to disable this.
Go back to Device Manager (like in Step 4).
Find your Wi-Fi adapter again. This time, right-click on it and select "Properties".
A new window will pop up. Click the "Power Management" tab.
You will see a box that says: "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
Uncheck this box.
Click "OK" and restart your computer.
Conclusion
For 99% of users, one of these five steps—especially Step 5—will permanently fix the random disconnection problem. You don't have to live with unstable Wi-Fi.