WiFi Keeps Disconnecting on Windows 11?

Few things are more frustrating than WiFi that connects, works for a few minutes, then drops — over and over. Windows 11 has a known history of WiFi driver compatibility issues, especially with Intel wireless adapters. Here's the systematic fix.

Fix 1: Disable WiFi Power Management

This is the #1 cause. Windows turns off the WiFi adapter to save battery:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager)
2. Expand Network adapters
3. Right-click your WiFi adapter → Properties
4. Go to Power Management tab
5. Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"
6. Click OK

Fix 2: Set WiFi to Maximum Performance

1. Open Control Panel → Power Options
2. Click Change plan settings next to your current plan
3. Click Change advanced power settings
4. Expand Wireless Adapter Settings → Power Saving Mode
5. Set both On Battery and Plugged In to Maximum Performance
6. Click Apply → OK

Fix 3: Update or Rollback WiFi Driver

1. Open Device Manager → Network adapters
2. Right-click WiFi adapter → Update driver → Search automatically
3. If problem started after a recent update: right-click → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver
4. For Intel WiFi (AX201, AX211, AC 9560): download directly from intel.com/download
5. For Realtek/MediaTek: check your laptop manufacturer's support page

Fix 4: Forget and Reconnect to WiFi

1. Open Settings → Network & internet → WiFi → Manage known networks
2. Find your network → Forget
3. Reconnect and enter your WiFi password
4. Make sure "Connect automatically" is checked

Fix 5: Set a Static IP Address

DHCP lease conflicts can cause disconnections:

1. Open Settings → Network & internet → WiFi → your network → Hardware properties
2. Under IP assignment, click Edit
3. Change to Manual → IPv4 On
4. IP: 192.168.1.XXX (use a number above 100, like 192.168.1.150)
5. Subnet: 255.255.255.0
6. Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (your router's IP)
7. DNS: 8.8.8.8

Fix 6: Reset Network Stack

Open Terminal as Administrator:

Restart your PC after running these commands.

Fix 7: Disable WiFi Sense and Hotspot 2.0

1. Open Settings → Network & internet → WiFi
2. Turn off "Connect to suggested open hotspots"
3. Turn off "Hotspot 2.0 networks"
4. Turn off "Random hardware addresses" (can cause some routers to treat your device as new each time)

Fix 8: Complete Network Reset

Last resort: Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset → Reset now. This reinstalls all adapters and resets all networking. You'll need to reconnect to WiFi and may need to reinstall VPN software.