Fix Wi-Fi Not Connecting to WPA3 Networks After Windows 11 Update

Can't connect to your Wi-Fi after a Windows update? Some networks using WPA3 security stopped working. Here's how to fix the connection issue.

Published 2026-01-18 by TechNet New England

After installing the January 2026 Windows update (KB5074105), some Windows 11 devices couldn't connect to certain Wi-Fi networks, particularly those using WPA3-Personal security. The network would appear in the list, but connections would fail or drop immediately after connecting.

Quick Fix: Switch to WPA2 Temporarily

If you control the router, you can work around this by changing the security mode:

  1. Log into your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
  2. Find Wireless Security settings
  3. Change from WPA3-Personal to WPA2-Personal (or WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode)
  4. Save and apply
  5. Reconnect your Windows 11 device

You can switch back to WPA3 after installing the Windows fix.

The Real Fix: Install the Latest Update

Microsoft addressed this in KB5078127 (January 24, 2026) and KB5077181 (February 2026):

  1. Open Settings > Windows Update
  2. Check for updates
  3. Install KB5078127, KB5077181, or any later update
  4. Restart your computer
  5. Try connecting to your WPA3 network again

Alternative Fixes

Forget and Reconnect to the Network

  1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi
  2. Click "Manage known networks"
  3. Find your network and click "Forget"
  4. Scan for networks and reconnect with your password

Reset Network Settings

  1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings
  2. Click "Network reset"
  3. Click "Reset now"
  4. Your PC will restart
  5. Reconnect to Wi-Fi after restart

Update Wi-Fi Driver

  1. Open Device Manager
  2. Expand "Network adapters"
  3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter
  4. Select "Update driver" > "Search automatically"

If Windows doesn't find a newer driver, check your laptop/PC manufacturer's support site for the latest Wi-Fi driver.

Check If It's a WPA3 Issue

To confirm this is the WPA3 bug:

If other WPA2 networks work but WPA3 doesn't, you're likely hitting this specific bug.

Why This Happened

The January 2026 update changed how Windows handles the WPA3-SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) handshake. On certain hardware configurations, the authentication process would fail or time out before completing.

The fix corrected the timing and handling of the WPA3 authentication sequence.

Still having Wi-Fi problems? Contact TechNet New England for network troubleshooting help.