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

Resetting settings Wi-Fi on a smartphone Android may be required in a variety of situations: from trivial connection problems to complex network conflicts. Perhaps your phone stopped seeing your home network after a firmware update, or you want to delete all saved passwords before selling the device. Or maybe after connecting to public Wi-Fi in a cafe or airport, the Internet began to work unstable - in 70% of such cases, resetting the network parameters helps..

In this article we will analyze all the current reset methods Wi-Fi settings - from standard methods through the menu Android to advanced solutions via ADB or Recovery Mode. You will learn how to restore the factory network settings without losing data, what to do if your smartphone does not connect to the router, and why sometimes a simple restart of the module Wi-Fi works better than a full reset.

Before taking action, make sure that the problem really lies in the network settings. For example, if Androidthe device does not see any network, the Wi-Fi module —in this case, resetting will not help. But if the phone connects to the network, but the Internet does not work (there is an exclamation point), or constantly asks you to enter the password for the saved access point, resetting the settings will be the optimal solution.

1. Standard reset via the Android settings menu

The easiest and safest way to return Wi-Fi settings to factory settings is to use the built-in tools Android. This method works on all versions of the system, from Android 8.0 Oreo to Android 15, and does not require superuser rights (root).

Open the application Settings and go to the section System → Reset settings (on some firmware the path may be different: General settings → Reset or Advanced → Reset settings). Here you will see several options:

• 🔄 Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings — deletes all saved networks, passwords and connection settings, but does not affect personal data.
• 📱 Reset all settings —returns all system settings to factory settings (including Wi-Fi), but does not delete files, photos or applications.
• ⚠️ Reset to factory settings - complete wipe of the device (will delete everything, including accounts and installed apps).

For our task, select the first item - Resetting Wi-Fi settings.... The system will ask for confirmation (you may need to enter PIN code or a pattern key). After confirmation, the phone will reboot, and all saved networks (SSID) with passwords will be erased.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices Samsung (for example Galaxy S22 or Galaxy A54) the option to reset Wi-Fi only may not be available. In this case, use the item Reset network settings —it clears both the mobile data and Bluetooth.

Make sure you remember the password for your home network

Save important data (for example, passwords for public Wi-Fi)

Disable the VPN if it is active

The battery charge must be at least 30%

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2. Removing a separate Wi-Fi network manually

If you do not need to reset all settings, but only need to delete one problematic network (for example, an office or guest access point), do it manually. This method is useful when the phone constantly tries to connect to the old network with the wrong password or when Android "forgets" the saved data after updating the router.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Find the desired network in the list and tap on its name (SSID).
3. Select option Delete or Forget network (on Xiaomi and Realme may be called Delete network).
4. Confirm the action.

After this, the network will disappear from the list of saved ones, and you can connect to it again by entering the current password. If the problem was a conflict IP addresses or DNS, this method often helps without a full reset.

On some firmware (for example, ColorOS on Oppo/Reno) after deleting the network, you may need to reboot the device for the changes to take effect.

3. Reset via Recovery Mode (for experienced users)

If Android does not load or the settings menu is inaccessible (for example, due to a firmware failure), you can reset Wi-Fi settings via Recovery ModeThis method is also useful when a standard reset does not help due to deep system problems. errors.

Attention: in Recovery there is no separate option to reset only Wi-Fi —you will have to use Wipe Cache Partition (clearing the cache) or Wipe Data/Factory Reset (full reset). We recommend starting with the first option, since it is less radical:

• 🔧 Turn off the phone.
• 🔘 Press the combination of buttons to enter Recovery (depends on models):
  • Samsung: Power + Volume up + Bixby (on new models - Power + Volume up).
  • Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: Power + Volume up.
  • Google Pixel: Power + Volume down, then select Recovery Mode.
• 📱 In the menu Recovery (volume button control) select Wipe Cache Partition → Yes.
• 🔄 Reboot the device (Reboot System Now).

If clearing the cache does not help, try Wipe Data/Factory Resetbut remember: this will delete all data from the phone, including applications and files. Before using this method, be sure to make a backup copy!

⚠️ Attention: On devices with unlocked bootloader (for example, after flashing custom firmware Recovery type TWRP), an option may appear Advanced Wipe. Here you can manually select a section Wi-Fi or Persistent, but without experience it is better not to do this - there is a risk of damaging the system.

4. Resetting Wi-Fi via ADB (for developers)

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

Before you start, make sure that:

• 🖥️ ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 The phone is enabled USB debugging (Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times) → For developers → USB debugging).
• 🔌 The device is connected to the PC via a cable (preferably original).

Open the command line (CMD or Terminal) and run the following commands in order:

adb shell
su
rm /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml
reboot

If you do not have root access, the first command with su will not work - in this case, use an alternative method:

adb shell
pm clear com.android.providers.settings
reboot

After reboot, all saved Wi-Fi networks will be deleted. This method works on most devices, but on some firmware (for example, MIUI or Flyme) an additional command may be required to clear the cache DNS:

adb shell
settings put global private_dns_mode off
settings put global private_dns_specifier ""

What to do if ADB does not see the device?

If the command adb devices returns an empty list:

1. Check if USB debugging is enabled on your phone.

2. Install drivers for your model (for example Samsung USB Driver or MediaTek VCOM).

3. Try another USB cable (preferably included in the kit).

4. Restart your phone and PC.

5. On Windows run adb kill-server, then adb start-server.

5. Reset via the engineering menu (USSD codes)

Many Androiddevices support hidden engineering menusaccessible through special codes These menus. allow you to test hardware components, including Wi-Fi module. However, be careful: incorrect actions here can lead to system failure.

The most common reset codes Wi-Fi/Bluetooth:

• 📶 ##526## — test of wireless modules (on Samsung and some Huawei).
• 🔧 ##4636## → Wi-Fi information → Wi-Fi Reset (works on Pixel, Nokia, Motorola).
• 📱 #0# — general test menu (on Samsung may contain network reset options).

After entering the code you will be taken to a menu with technical information. Look for items like:

- Wi-Fi Reset

- Clear Wi-Fi Settings

- Network Reset

For example, on Google Pixel the path will be like this: ##4636## → Wi-Fi information → menu with three dots (⋮) → Wi-Fi Reset. data-i="207">after entering Samsung after entering #0# a button Wi-Fi Testmay appear, where there is a reset option.

⚠️ Attention: Engineering menus differ depending on the manufacturer and firmware version. Do not change the parameters if you are not sure of their purpose - this may disrupt operation. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or mobile network.

6. Problems after a reset and their solutions

In most cases, a reset Wi-Fi settings solves connection problems, but sometimes new difficulties may arise. Let's look at typical situations and ways to eliminate them.

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
The phone does not find any network	Wi-Fi module is disabled or driver failure	Reboot the device. If it doesn’t help, check the router settings (possibly hidden SSID).
Connects to the network, but the Internet does not work	Incorrect settings IP/DNS or a conflict with the router	In the Wi-Fi network settings, select Additional → IP settings: DHCP (automatically).
Constantly asks for a password	Authentication failure or incompatibility of security protocols	Delete the network and connect again. On the router, change the security type from WPA3 to WPA2-PSK.
Slow Wi-Fi speed	Channel overload or restrictions from the router	Change the Wi-Fi channel in the settings router (for example, from Auto to 6 or 11).
Wi-Fi turns on, but immediately turns off	Module malfunction or saving battery power	Disable Adaptive battery saving in the Wi-Fi settings. If this does not help, check the module at a service center.

If the problem persists after resetting, try the following steps:

1. Update your phone's firmware to the latest version (sometimes Wi-Fi bugs are fixed in security patches).
2. Check the router: reboot it, reset the settings to factory settings or update the firmware.
3. Install a Wi-Fi analysis application (for example, WiFi Analyzer) - it will show whether there is interference from neighboring networks.
4. If all else fails, run full reset phone (but first make a backup!).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about resetting Wi-Fi on Android

Is it possible to reset Wi-Fi settings without losing data?

Yes, if you use a standard reset via Settings → Reset Wi-Fi settings or delete networks manually. These methods do not affect photos, apps, or files. However, a full reset (Factory Reset) will delete everything from the phone.

Why, after a reset, does the phone not connect to the network that worked before?

Possible reasons:

• The password for the router has changed (check it in the router's web interface at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
• The router has changed SSID or the security type (for example, from WPA2 to WPA3).
• The phone has airplane mode or background restriction enabled for Wi-Fi.

Try to connect to the network manually by entering the password again.

How to reset Wi-Fi if the phone does not turns on?

If the device does not boot, try:

1. Log in Recovery Mode and run Wipe Cache Partition.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and use ADB (if USB debugging was enabled previously).
3. If nothing helps, take the device to a service center (there may be a hardware problem).

Will resetting Wi-Fi help if the Internet is slow?

Not always. Resetting the settings eliminates software conflicts (for example, incorrect DNS or IP), but if the slow speed is associated with:

• Overload of the router channel (many connected devices).
• Restrictions on the part of the provider (tariff plan).
• Interference from neighboring networks (check in WiFi Analyzer).

the reset will not help. In such cases, configure the router or contact your provider.

Is it possible to restore deleted Wi-Fi passwords after a reset?

No, after a reset, all saved passwords are erased without the possibility of recovery. If you have forgotten the password for your home network:

• Look at it on the router sticker (usually indicated Wi-Fi Key or Password).
• Log into the web interface of the router (192.168.0.1and check the wireless network settings.
• Reset the router to factory settings (button Reset on the rear panel).