12 Ways to Fix Windows Laptop Restarts When Connecting to Wi-Fi

Recently, several PC owners have reported that their device unexpectedly restarts when connecting to Wi-Fi. If you are one of them, you’ve landed at the right troubleshooting guide to spot and resolve the issue. Read on to try out the 12 most effective ways to fix the Windows laptop restarts when connecting to Wi-Fi problem like a pro.

Fix Windows Laptop Restarts When Connecting to Wi-Fi Like a Pro

So, what causes a PC to crash when being connected to a Wi-Fi network? Well, the issue can stem from a number of culprits, such as driver conflicts, corrupted system files, power settings, or even malware. Fortunately, there are several effective solutions to take control of this issue.

1. Update Wi-Fi Drivers

It’s worth pointing out that outdated or incompatible network drivers can trigger system crashes.

• To get going, press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
• Then, expand Network adapters by hitting the downward arrow > right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and choose Update driver.

• Now, select Search automatically for drivers and follow the prompts.

2. Uninstall and Reinstall Wi-Fi Adapter

Bear in mind that a corrupted Wi-Fi driver installation might cause reboots. Therefore, it would be better to reinstall the Wi-Fi adapter to flush out the corruption.

• To begin with, launch the Device Manager on your PC.
• Now, expand Network adapters using the downward arrow and right-click your Wi-Fi adapter.
• Then, select Uninstall device and confirm.

• Next, make sure to restart your PC, and Windows will reinstall the adapter automatically.

3. Disable Fast Startup

Note that the Fast Startup has a long history of conflicting with driver initialization during Wi-Fi connection. So, I’d recommend you get rid of it to ward off any interference.

• To get going, fire up the Control Panel on your PC > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.

• Next up, click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
• Up next, be sure to uncheck Turn on fast startup and save changes.

4. Perform a Clean Boot

It’s also important to mention that startup programs or services may be clashing with network drivers.

• To do so, press Windows + R > type msconfig, and hit Enter.
• Under the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.

• Go to the Startup tab inside the Task Manager to disable all startup items.
• Then, restart your PC and test Wi-Fi connectivity.

5. Run Network Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in tool to detect and fix network issues.

• Head over to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

• Click Run next to Network Adapter.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to apply fixes.

6. Scan for Malware

Some malware programs interfere with system drivers and cause unexpected restarts.

• First off, run a full system scan using Windows Security (Start menu > Settings > Privacy & Security > Virus & threat protection).

• Remove any detected threats and restart your computer.

7. Check Event Viewer Logs

Event logs can help you pinpoint what’s triggering the restart.

• Simply, press Windows + X and select Event Viewer.
• Navigate to Windows Logs > System and look for critical errors or shutdown events around the time of the restart.

• Use the information to identify the faulty process or driver.

8. Disable Power Saving for Network Adapter

Power-saving settings might interrupt the network adapter, causing restarts.

• In Device Manager, double-click your Wi-Fi adapter.
• Click on the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

9. Update Windows

Be warned that the pending Windows updates may include critical driver or stability fixes.

• To update the software, launch the Settings app > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
• Now, make sure to install all available updates and restart your PC.

10. Reset Network Settings

Misconfigured network settings can lead to crashes during connection attempts.

• Fire up the Settings app on your device > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.

• Click Reset now and restart your PC after the reset is complete.

11. Run System File Checker

Corrupted system files may affect how Windows handles hardware communication.

• Just open Command Prompt as administrator on your Windows device.

• Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

• Wait for the scan to finish and follow any repair instructions.

12. Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure

Disabling this setting allows you to see the exact error message instead of an instant reboot.

• Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.
• Go to the Advanced tab > Startup and Recovery settings.
• Uncheck Automatically restart under System failure.

Wrapping up..!

And that’s about it! Dealing with a laptop that restarts every time it connects to Wi-Fi can be incredibly annoying, but it’s usually fixable with the right troubleshooting steps. Whether the issue is a faulty driver, a misconfigured setting, or a deeper system problem, the methods above should help you identify and resolve the root cause.

If the issue persists after trying all these solutions, it may be time to consult a technician or consider a fresh Windows installation. For more helpful Windows troubleshooting tips, stay tuned to our blog.