How to reset Wi-Fi settings on Android: 5 proven methods

Resetting settings Wi-Fi on a smartphone Android may be needed in a variety of situations: from trivial connection problems to complex network conflicts when the device refuses to “see” router or constantly loses connection. Unlike completely resetting your phone to factory settings, clearing only the wireless network settings allows you to keep all other data - photos, messages, installed applications - intact.

In this article we will look at all current methods of resetting Wi-Fi on Androidincluding hidden methods for advanced users. You will learn how to restore the factory network settings through the standard menu, recovery mode (recovery), as well as using commands ADB. Particular emphasis is placed on the nuances for popular brands - Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and others, where the interface may differ from the “clean” one Android.

Before you begin, make sure that the problem is really related to the phone settings, and not to the router. Try connecting to a different network or reboot your router - this will eliminate 70% of false positives. If you are sure that the smartphone is to blame, choose the appropriate method from our instructions.

1. Resetting Wi-Fi through standard Android settings

The easiest and safest way is to use the system's built-in tools. This method works on all versions Android from 8.0 Oreo to 14, including manufacturers' shells. The main advantage: does not require root access or special knowledge.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the application Settings (gear icon on the main screen or in the application menu).
• 🔍 Go to section System → Reset settings (on some devices the path may be General settings → Reset).
• 🔄 Select item Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings (the name may differ slightly).
• 🔐 Confirm the action with a password or pattern if the system prompts.
• ✅ Press Reset settings and wait for the process to complete (usually takes 10-30 seconds).

After the reboot, all saved networks will be deletedand the connection settings will return to factory settings. You will have to re-enter passwords for all Wi-Fi points, but problems with auto-connection, IP address conflicts and other network settings will disappear. glitches.

Make sure you know the passwords for all the necessary networks|Save screenshots of QR codes for quick connection|Check if the phone is using a static IP (in the router settings)|Disable VPN if it is active-->

⚠️ Attention: On some devices Xiaomi and Redmi resetting Wi-Fi can also clear settings Bluetooth and mobile data. If you use eSIM, check the model documentation to see if the procedure affects operator profiles.

2. Reset via the developer menu (for advanced users)

If the standard reset did not help or you want a more “surgical” approach, you can use the hidden menu For developers. This method allows you to reset only Wi-Fi configurationwithout affecting Bluetooth or the mobile network.

How to enable the developer menu:

1. Go to Settings → About phone (or About device).
2. Find the item Build number and tap on it 7 times in a row. The notification “You have become developer."
3. Return to the main settings menu - a new section will appear there For developers.

Now to reset Wi-Fi:

• 🛠️ Open Settings → For developers.
• 🔍 Scroll down to the block Network.
• 🔄 Find the option Reset Wi-Fi settings (or Wi-Fi verbose logging → Clear Wi-Fi config on some firmware).
• ✅ Confirm the action.

This method is especially useful if after the update Android the reset item in the standard menu has disappeared or if you suspect that there is a problem lies in connection logsthat the system collects for diagnostics.

3. Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone does not boot)

When the smartphone refuses to boot or freezes at the logo, and Wi-Fi is needed for recovery (for example, to download firmware over the air), you can reset the network settings via recovery mode (Recovery Mode). This method works even on bricks, but requires caution - incorrect actions can lead to data loss.

Instructions for most devices:

1. 🔋 Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10+ seconds if it is frozen).
2. 🔄 Press the combination of buttons to enter Recovery:
   • Samsung: Power + Volume Up + Bixby (or Home on older models).
   • Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: Power + Volume up.
   • Google Pixel, OnePlus: Power + Volume down.
   • Other brands: usually Power + Volume up.

⚠️ Attention: On some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) reset Wi-Fi via Recovery can also clear IMEI or module settings NFC. Before the procedure, check the compatibility of your firmware with this method on forums like XDA Developers.

4. Resetting Wi-Fi via ADB (for advanced users)

If you are familiar with developer tools, you can reset Wi-Fi settings via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is useful when standard methods do not work or you need to automate the process (for example, for several devices).

What you will need:

• 💻 Computer with ADB drivers installed.
• 📱 Enabled USB debugging on the phone (Settings → For developers → USB debugging).
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect your phone to the computer and enable debugging (a request will appear on the phone screen).
2. Open command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to test the connection:

   adb devices

   The serial number of your device should appear.

4. Reset your Wi-Fi settings:

   adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.settings
   adb shell settings delete global wifi_on

5. Reboot your phone:

   adb reboot

These commands will clear all saved networks and return the Wi-Fi module settings to factory settings. If you only need to reset the list of networks without changing other settings, use:

adb shell cmd wifi forget-network <SSID>

Where <SSID> — name of the problematic network (without quotes).

5. Reset on specific brands: Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel

Manufacturers often modify the interface Androidby adding their own settings. Let's look at the nuances for popular brands.

Samsung (One UI)

On devices with a shell One UI (Galaxy S, A, Note series), the path to resetting Wi-Fi may be different:

• 📱 Settings → General management → Reset → Reset network settings.
• 🔧 Alternative method: Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → ⚙️ (three dots in the upper right corner) → Advanced → Reset Wi-Fi settings.

On new models (for example, Galaxy S23), you may need to enter SIM card PIN code to confirm.

Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (MIUI)

In the firmware MIUI Wi-Fi reset is hidden deeper:

• 📱 Settings → Memory → Cleaning → ⚙️ (gear icon) → Reset network settings.
• 🔍 Or: Settings → Wi-Fi → ⚙️ → Additional functions → Resetting Wi-Fi settings.

On some models (for example, Redmi Note 12), after resetting the settings are also cleared Mi Share (fast file sharing function).

Google Pixel (Stock Android)

On "clean" Android the path is as simple as possible:

• 📱 Settings → System → Reset parameters → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth.
• 🔄 On Pixel 6/7/8 after resetting, you may need to re-activate Wi-Fi Calling (Wi-Fi calls).

6. What to do if the reset did not help?

If after resetting the Wi-Fi settings problems remain, check the following points:

1. IP address conflict:

   Sometimes the router assigns the phone an IP that is already occupied by another device. Try manually setting a static IP in the Wi-Fi settings:

   • 📱 Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → click on the name of your network.
   • 🔧 Select Edit network → Additional parameters → IP parameters.
   • 📝 Set Static and enter an IP from the range of your router (for example, 192.168.1.100if the router has 192.168.1.1).

adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

adb shell settings put global wifi_on 0
adb shell settings put global wifi_on 1