Windows 10 Wi-Fi issue: "Can't connect to this network"

Question

A little background - I have a Lenovo G50 which was running Windows 8.1 up until a few months back. Then came along the free upgrade to Windows 10. Microsoft updated the laptop OS to Windows 10, and all was fine in the first run.

But, as soon as I shut the laptop down, and powered it back up the next time, it just would not connect to the same Wi-Fi hotspot. This situation continues until today. Every time it's the same message - "Can't connect to this network".

The only way I got around this until now, was to manually reboot the Wi-Fi router, and as soon as the router would come back up, Windows 10 would instantly get connected. I have no idea how/why this worked, but while it did work fine up until sometime back, I can't keep doing this anymore. I share my apartment with a few other guys, and having to disrupt their Internet connectivity every single time I turn on my laptop - is not just a minor convenience anymore (not that they haven't voiced their concerns over this, anyway).

I looked at this No Internet connection after upgrade to Windows 10 question, and tried to check my "advanced adapter options", but it all seemed correct (attaching pictures below).

All other devices [MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPhones, iPads, Windows 8.1 (running on a Dell and an HP)] connected to the same Wi-Fi hotspot in this apartment, work just fine.

Answer 1

I had the below Windows 10 Wi-Fi issue: “Can't connect to this network” while every other wireless devices worked, this newly upgraded Windows 10 did not.

The below helped: In Device Manager, right click on Device → Properties → *Advanced and I disabled 802.11n mode. It may slower on actual wireless N networks, but it resolved the problem for the time being.

Answer 2

Even after a reboot, I found "can't connect to this network" error.

To resolve: open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc), locate the wireless network adapter, disable and then re-enable. Wireless connected back up immediately after doing so.

Answer 3

Log into your router and change the network name. I have fixed this issue on multiple laptops by doing this. It seems to simple, and like this it should have no bearing on connectivity, but it does.

Answer 4

netsh winsock reset did the trick for me.

This command is a general reset for network settings.

Answer 5

I can see your Wi-Fi adapter is a Qualcomm Atheros AR956x card - the drivers for which are here. Download and install the latest drivers. To find if you have a static IP, when looking at "Wi-Fi Properties", as in your screenie above, click on "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)", and then click on the "Properties" button for it. If you have a static IP, there'll be a selection of numbers in the format of "##.##.##.##" in the text boxes. If not, then you don't have a static IP and everything should be OK in that department.

Hopefully, the driver update should fix it as I have seen articles of people with the same adapter not being able to connect to wireless, but after updating are able to connect.

Answer 6

Have you done the upgrade or fresh install?

Try removing the network from your list of saved networks and add again.

If that fails, remove the driver for your network card and reinstall.

If that fails, try adding the network manually.

Answer 7

I had the below issue.

Windows 10 Wi-Fi issue: “Can't connect to this network”

The below helped:

In Device Manager, right click on Device → Update Driver → Browse My Computer for Driver Software → Let me pick from a list of devices → uncheck Show Compatible Hardware → select an appropriate driver.

Retry and it works (no reboot required).

Answer 8

I had the same problem with my work laptop (not the personal one). In our company we have to connect to Wi-Fi (+ VPN) using the Cisco AnyConnect client. For some reason, I was previously able to connect to new WiFi:s using the Windows 10 Wi-Fi menu but in this case I was getting the can't connect to this network error on that menu.

I solved the problem by using the Cisco AnyConnect client to add the new network to the Cisco AnyConnect client list manually and then connecting to it using the client again.

Answer 9

I have the same problem with the same network adapter. I don't know how to get any relevant information. Roll back and uninstalling driver didn't help.

The network configuration didn't change as well. The only thing that did change was I've upgraded .. wait for it... Qualcomm Atheros AR9462 Bluetooth 4.0 driver to a newer version.

Unfortunately removing this driver didn't resolve my problem.

For me it helped to reset the router (just unplug and plug it again).

Answer 10

I suddenly started getting this error without having changed anything. I tried everything I could think of on my PC, including forgetting the network, updating the driver, rebooting, etc but nothing worked.

I rebooted the router. That worked.

Answer 11

With a similar issue, I disconnected all my peripherals (headset, mouse, keyboard, and monitor) and it magically worked..

This is after trying most of the solutions listed here.

Answer 12

I tried uninstalling/installing, updating driver and none worked. The only successful solution was to choose Roll Back Driver from device properties.

Answer 13

Similar to the "Rename the network" answer. I found logging into the router managements page and turning the Wi-Fi network off and on again worked for me.

Answer 14

Just had this with my home WIFI connection. One that my laptop has always been connected to. All of a sudden, the WIFI disconnected and refused to connect with the Can't connect to this network message. Windows troubleshooter was useless.

What fixed it for me was to change the value for the property 802.11n Channel Width for band 2 from 20 MHz Only to Auto.

Go to devmgmt.msc > Network Adapters > locate your Wifi adapter > R-Click Properties > Advanced > 802.11n Channel Width for band 2 > On the drop down menu Auto.