Resetting Network Settings: Guide for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Introduction

Resetting network settings is a simple and effective way to solve many connectivity issues: from no internet to VPN and Bluetooth errors. This procedure returns all network parameters (IP addresses, DNS, Wi-Fi settings, etc.) to factory defaults. In this guide, you'll find detailed instructions on how to reset network settings on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. After completing these steps, your device will be like new, ready for initial network setup.

Requirements and Preparation

Before you begin, ensure that:

• You have administrator privileges (Windows, Linux) or sudo access (macOS). For mobile devices, you'll need the lock screen password.
• You have saved any important network settings: static IPs, DNS servers, Wi-Fi network passwords. The reset will delete all saved networks.
• On Windows, creating a restore point is recommended. Open "Control Panel" → "System and Security" → "System" → "System Protection" → "Create".
• You have internet access via another device or mobile data to download drivers if the network adapter fails to work after the reset (rare, but it happens).

Step 1: Identify Your Operating System

First, find out which operating system you have to perform the correct steps.

For Windows: Press Win + R, type winver, and press Enter. The version of Windows will be displayed in the window that appears.

For macOS: In the Apple menu (top-left corner), select "About This Mac". The macOS version will be indicated there.

For Linux: Open the terminal and run one of these commands:

lsb_release -a

or

cat /etc/os-release

The output will contain information about the distribution and version.

For Android: Open "Settings" → "About phone" → "Android version".

For iOS: Open "Settings" → "General" → "About".

Step 2: Back Up Your Current Network Settings

The reset will delete all network configurations, so save anything you might need.

For Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (find "cmd" in the Start menu, right-click → "Run as administrator").
2. Run the command to export Wi-Fi profiles:

   netsh wlan export profile key=clear folder=C:\WiFiBackup
   

   This will save all Wi-Fi profiles with passwords to the specified folder.
3. Also save your current IP and DNS settings: open "Control Panel" → "Network and Internet" → "Network and Sharing Center" → "Change adapter settings". Right-click the active connection → "Properties" → "Networking" tab → select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" → "Properties". Note down the settings (if using a static IP).

For macOS:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Copy configuration files:

   sudo cp /etc/resolv.conf ~/resolv.conf.backup
   

   If static settings are used, they may be in files in /etc/network/ or managed via networksetup. To save all network interface settings, run:

   networksetup -listallnetworkservices > ~/network_services.txt
   

   Then for each service, save its settings:

   networksetup -getinfo "Ethernet" > ~/ethernet_settings.txt
   

   (replace "Ethernet" with your interface name, which you can see in networksetup -listallnetworkservices).

For Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):

1. Open Terminal.
2. Copy configuration files:

   sudo cp /etc/netplan/*.yaml ~/netplan_backup/
   

   (if using netplan) or

   sudo cp /etc/network/interfaces ~/interfaces.backup
   

   (if using ifupdown).
3. Also save DNS:

   sudo cp /etc/resolv.conf ~/resolv.conf.backup
   

For Android:

• Wi-Fi settings cannot be exported in the settings. Take screenshots of all saved networks (their names and passwords, if shown). Or manually write down the passwords. Also note any static IP settings if you use them.

For iOS:

• Similarly, take screenshots of your Wi-Fi settings (network names and passwords). Passwords are not displayed, but if you use a password manager, ensure they are saved there.

Step 3: Perform the Network Settings Reset

For Windows 10/11

1. Open Windows Settings (Win+I) → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings.
2. In the "Network reset" section, click Network reset.
3. Confirm the action. The system will warn that all network adapters will be removed and settings reset. Click Reset.
4. The computer will automatically restart in a few minutes.

Note: In Windows 10, the path may be: Settings → Update & Security → Recovery → Network reset.

For macOS (Ventura, Sonoma, and earlier)

1. Open System Settings.
2. Go to the Network section.
3. Select the active interface (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click Advanced (or Details).
4. In the pop-up window, click Reset (or Revert in older versions). This will reset the selected interface's settings.
5. To reset all network settings (including Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth, VPN), you can also use:
   • For macOS Ventura and newer: System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset Mac → Reset → Reset Network Settings.
   • For older versions: System Settings → Apple → All Items → Network Settings (or via the "Network Utility" in the "Utilities" folder).

For Linux (Ubuntu with GNOME)

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to the Network section.
3. In the list of network connections, click the gear icon next to the active connection (or the "Advanced" button).
4. In the window that opens, look for a Reset (Reset) or Forget (Forget) button for Wi-Fi networks. For a full reset of all network settings, including wired, you may need to reset via the terminal.
5. For a full reset (if no graphical button exists), run in the terminal:

   sudo nmcli connection reload
   sudo nmcli connection delete <connection_name>
   

   To delete all connections:

   sudo nmcli connection delete $(nmcli -t -f NAME connection show)
   

   Then restart the network manager:

   sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
   

For Android (version 10 and higher)

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to System → Reset (or Reset options).
3. Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth (or Reset network settings).
4. Confirm the reset. The device will restart and delete all saved networks.

Note: On some devices, the path may differ: Settings → General → Reset → Reset network settings.

For iOS (iPhone, iPad)

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset.
3. Select Reset Network Settings.
4. Enter the lock screen password if prompted.
5. Confirm the reset. The device will restart.

Step 4: Restart Your Device

After the reset completes, most systems restart automatically. If not, do it manually:

• Windows: Start → Power button → Restart.
• macOS: Apple menu → Restart.
• Linux: In the power menu, select Restart.
• Android/iOS: Press and hold the power button and select "Restart".

Restarting is necessary so all network services start with clean settings.

Step 5: Reconfigure Your Network

After restarting, your device will have no network connections. Set them up again:

1. For Wi-Fi: Select your network from the list and enter the password (use the passwords saved earlier or get them from your router).
2. For wired connection: Plug in the cable. If a static IP is required, configure it manually using the saved data.
3. Configure DNS: If you used custom DNS (e.g., Google DNS 8.8.8.8), set it up again.
4. Restore VPN and Bluetooth: Reconfigure VPN connections and pair Bluetooth devices.

Verify the Result

Ensure the network is working:

• Open a browser and visit any website (e.g., google.com).
• Check internet speed via speedtest.net or similar.
• For Wi-Fi, ensure the signal is stable with no drops.
• If you used a static IP, check that the address was assigned correctly (on Windows: ipconfig, on macOS/Linux: ifconfig or ip addr).
• Check that DNS resolves names: in the command line, run ping ya.ru. If you get a reply, DNS is working.

Potential Issues

Issue: No internet after reset, but Wi-Fi is connected.

Solution: Check if the adapter received an IP address. If the address starts with 169.254, DHCP didn't work. Try restarting the router or configure the IP manually.

Issue: Cannot connect to Wi-Fi; password is incorrect.

Solution: Ensure you're entering the correct password. If the password is saved on the router, check the label or router settings. After the reset, all old profiles are deleted, so enter the password for the current network.

Issue: Network adapter not visible in the system.

Solution: The driver may have been removed. Download drivers from the laptop or motherboard manufacturer's website using another device and install them. On Windows, you can use "Device Manager" → "Network adapters" → "Update driver".

Issue: No connection on Linux after reset.

Solution: Ensure NetworkManager is running: sudo systemctl status NetworkManager. If not, start it: sudo systemctl start NetworkManager. Also check configuration files in /etc/netplan/ and apply: sudo netplan apply.

Issue: Wi-Fi not working on macOS after reset.

Solution: Ensure Wi-Fi is enabled in the status menu. If not, go to System Settings → Network and turn on Wi-Fi. You can also reset NVRAM/PRAM: shut down your Mac, turn it on, and immediately hold Option+Command+P+R for 20 seconds.