A network reset rebuilds a device network configuration from scratch. It can fix stubborn Wi-Fi, VPN, Bluetooth, and mobile-data problems, but it also removes saved network details you may need later.
Does this affect you?
Use this when connection problems follow one device across multiple networks or survive normal restarts. If only one Wi-Fi network is bad, forget that network first instead of resetting everything.
Reset network settings on Windows 10 or 11
Windows removes and reinstalls network adapters with default settings.
- Open Settings with Windows key + I.
- Go to Network & internet.
- On Windows 11, open Advanced network settings. On Windows 10, open Status.
- Click Network reset.
- Click Reset now and confirm.
- Let the PC restart, then reconnect to Wi-Fi and re-enter the password.
Reset network settings on a Mac
macOS does not have one universal reset button, so you remove and rebuild the problem connection.
- Open System Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Click the network you are troubleshooting, then open the info/details button.
- Click Forget This Network.
- For a deeper reset, open System Settings > Network and remove/re-add the Wi-Fi service with the minus and plus buttons where available.
- Reconnect from the Wi-Fi menu and enter the password again.
Reset network settings on a phone
Phones provide a dedicated reset option.
- iPhone: open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings, then enter the passcode to confirm.
- Android: open Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. Wording can vary by brand.
More control
What gets erased
Saved Wi-Fi networks, VPN settings, Bluetooth pairings, and related network preferences can be removed. Wi-Fi passwords must be entered again.
Use it for device-wide problems
Random disconnects on every Wi-Fi network, broken VPN profiles, and corrupted network settings after an update are good reasons to reset.
Write down important passwords first
Before resetting, make sure you can recover work Wi-Fi, family Wi-Fi, and router passwords you do not have memorized.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Network reset in Windows (2025)
- Apple Support – Reset network settings on iPhone (2025)
- Google – Reset network settings on Android (2025)