How to Fix ‘Default Gateway Is Not Available’ on Windows 11

By upcomingswatchadmin Last updated Mar 1, 2025

Just today, I was working on an important project when my internet suddenly disconnected. Despite my Wi-Fi showing as connected, I couldn’t access any websites. After troubleshooting, I saw the dreaded error message: “Default gateway is not available.” I tried restarting my router, but nothing changed. After researching and testing multiple solutions, I finally found the fixes that worked.

The “Default Gateway Is Not Available” error is common in Windows 11 and often leads to no internet access despite an active connection. This issue can be frustrating, especially when you rely on a stable internet connection for work, gaming, or streaming.

This error occurs when Windows is unable to communicate with the network gateway, which acts as a bridge between your device and the internet. It can be caused by outdated network drivers, incorrect configurations, interference from third-party software, or ISP-related issues.

In this guide, we’ll break down why this happens and provide detailed step-by-step solutions to fix the error and restore your internet connection.

Understanding the Issue

The default gateway is the IP address of your router or modem, which your device uses to access the internet. When Windows 11 cannot communicate with the default gateway, your connection is disrupted.

Possible Causes of the Error

Outdated or corrupt network drivers
Incorrect IP configuration
Power management settings disabling network adapters
Conflicts with third-party antivirus or firewall software
Issues with your ISP or router

Before jumping into the fixes, ensure you’ve tried a basic restart of your PC and router, as this can sometimes resolve temporary network issues. If that doesn’t work, follow the detailed solutions below.

Fixes for ‘Default Gateway Is Not Available’ on Windows 11

Each of the following solutions is explained step-by-step to ensure you can apply them easily.

1. Restart Your Router and Modem

Tools Needed: None

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Turn off your router and modem by pressing the power button or unplugging them.
Wait for at least 5 minutes to allow the network to reset completely.
Turn on the modem first and wait for the lights to stabilize.
Turn on the router and let it fully initialize.
Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

Why This Works:
Restarting your network devices clears any temporary glitches and forces your ISP to assign a fresh connection.

2. Reset the TCP/IP Stack Using Command Prompt

Tools Needed: Windows 11 computer

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Press Win + S, type cmd, and select Run as administrator to open Command Prompt with elevated privileges.
Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:

   netsh int ip reset
   netsh winsock reset
   ipconfig /flushdns
   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew

Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

Why This Works:
This resets the network configuration, clears DNS cache, and forces Windows to request a new IP from the router.

3. Update or Reinstall Network Drivers

Tools Needed: Windows 11 computer

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters and right-click on your active network adapter.
Select Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.
If no update is found, try reinstalling the driver:

Right-click the network adapter and select Uninstall device.
Restart your PC, and Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

Why This Works:
Corrupt or outdated drivers can cause connectivity issues. Updating or reinstalling them ensures compatibility with Windows 11.

4. Disable Power Management for the Network Adapter

Tools Needed: Windows 11 computer

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters and double-click your active network adapter.
Go to the Power Management tab.
Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
Click OK, restart your PC, and check if the issue is fixed.

Why This Works:
Windows sometimes disables network adapters to save power, which can cause connectivity issues.

5. Manually Assign a Static IP and Default Gateway

Tools Needed: Windows 11 computer

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
Right-click your active network connection and select Properties.
Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and then Properties.
Select Use the following IP address, and enter:

IP Address: 192.168.1.100 (or any unused IP in your network range)
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (your router’s IP, check by running ipconfig in Command Prompt)

Click OK, restart your PC, and check if the problem is resolved.

Why This Works:
Sometimes, automatic IP assignment fails. Manually configuring the settings ensures stable connectivity.

6. Disable Third-Party Antivirus or Firewall

Tools Needed: Windows 11 computer

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Open your antivirus software (e.g., Norton, McAfee, Avast).
Look for options like Firewall or Network Protection.
Temporarily disable the firewall and check if your internet connection is restored.
If the issue is fixed, add an exception for your network.

Why This Works:
Some security programs interfere with network connections. Temporarily disabling them helps identify if they’re the cause.

Pros and Cons of Each Fix

Fix	Pros	Cons
Restarting Router	Quick and easy	Might not solve deeper issues
Resetting TCP/IP Stack	Fixes network misconfigurations	Requires Command Prompt knowledge
Updating Network Drivers	Ensures hardware compatibility	May require internet access
Disabling Power Management	Prevents random disconnections	Consumes more power
Assigning a Static IP	Stabilizes connection	Needs manual configuration
Disabling Antivirus/Firewall	Resolves conflicts	Reduces security temporarily

Conclusion

The “Default Gateway Is Not Available” error in Windows 11 can be caused by network misconfigurations, driver issues, or interference from security software. By following the detailed, step-by-step solutions in this guide, you can restore your internet connection effectively.

Have you encountered this issue before? Let us know which fix worked for you in the comments!