The "Cannot connect to this network" error is one of the most common errors in Windows 10. It occurs when you try to connect from a notebook or 2-in-1 convertible to a WiFi network.
Unfortunately, the Microsoft operating system only displays the error message but does not specify the reasons for the problem at all.
To overcome the problem and reconnect to the WiFi network, we suggest you carry out some checks and follow the proposed steps:
1) Forget the wireless network and try to connect again
Type WiFi in the Windows 10 search box then click on the WiFi settings item and finally on Manage known networks. In the window that will appear, you can click on the WiFi network with which you are having problems and then select Cancel storage.
At this point, by clicking the icon in the Windows 10 traybar that signals the presence of WiFi networks nearby, you can try to reconnect by entering the correct password.
2) Update the wireless network card drivers
If your computer cannot connect to a WiFi network, you can try reinstalling the wireless card driver.
To do this, just press Windows+X, choose Device Manager, double-click on Network adapters then right-click on the name of the WiFi adapter and choose Uninstall device.
By restarting the machine, Windows 10 will reinstall the correct driver.
If the problem is still not solved, you can try typing Windows Update in the search box, choose Check for updates and check if an updated version of the network adapter driver is available. You can also try selecting View optional updates and then choosing Driver Updates.
3) Check the channel used on the router and the band usedIn crowded areas and areas prone to interference, some devices may fail to connect with the WiFi router.
It can therefore be decisive to intervene on the router-side wireless network settings and change the channel and/or frequencies used (on 2.4 and 5 GHz).
In this regard, see the articles WiFi router, some data to think about and WiFi speed realistically obtainable with the various standards.
4) Reduce the WiFi channel size
Pressing Windows+R then typing ncpa.cpl will have to right-click on the wireless network interface and choose Properties.
With a click on Configure… you will have to go to the Advanced tab then click on Channel width for 2.4 GHz and Channel width for 5 GHz.
For both you can try to reduce the size of the WiFi channel used, restart the PC and try to reconnect.
5) Reset the network stack with a few simple commands
If that doesn't help, you can press Windows+R, type cmd then use the key combination CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER to open the command prompt with administrator rights.
In the black background window that will appear, you can type a few commands in sequence:
netsh winsock resetnetsh int ip resetipconfig /releaseipconfig /renew
The first two commands will reset the network connection at the operating system level; the next two will allow you to receive a new IP address from the DHCP server, usually the router.
6) Ask Windows 10 to reset the network
By typing Network status in the Windows 10 search box and then clicking on Network reset, the operating system will remove and reinstall all network cards (visible by typing Windows+R then ncpa.cpl).
Since Windows 10 will clean up all your current configurations in this case, you may need to reinstall VPN software and virtual network adapters such as those used by virtualization solutions. To proceed you need to click on the Reset button.