How to reset Wi-Fi settings on Android: A complete guide with pictures and secret methods

Resetting Wi-Fi settings on Android is a procedure that every second smartphone user encounters. Whether the network suddenly stops connecting, the phone "forgot" the saved password, or the internet is intermittent after a system update. In 80% of cases, clearing the network settings solves the problem, but not everyone knows how to do it correctly—without data loss and unnecessary steps.

In this article we will look at All possible ways to reset Wi-Fi — from standard (via the settings menu) to hidden (via the engineering menu and ADB). Let's take a closer look at the nuances for popular brands: Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor And Google Pixel, where the algorithm may differ. You will also learn Why might some networks disappear from the list of available networks permanently after a reset? and how to avoid it.

1. Standard Wi-Fi reset via Android settings

The most obvious and safest method is to use the system's built-in tools. It works for 99% of devices. Android 8.0 and newer, including the latest versions Android 14. Main advantage: does not require superuser rights (root) and does not affect other phone settings.

The instruction is universal, but on some firmware (for example, MIUI or One UI) Menu items may have different names. If you can't find the section you need, use the settings search (the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner).

  • 📱 Open the app "Settings"** (gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
  • 🔧 Go to the section System → Reset settings (on some phones: General settings → Reset).
  • 🌐 Select an item “Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data and Bluetooth settings”** (or simply Network reset).
  • 🔄 Confirm the action by entering PIN code or a graphic key, if required.

After rebooting the device, all saved networks (SSID) and passwords will be erased, and connection parameters will be returned to factory settings. Important: This method does not affect the settings. VPN, APN (mobile internet access points) and NFC.

Make sure you know the passwords for all the networks you use|Save a screenshot of the Wi-Fi QR code (if available)|Disable automatic connection to unknown networks|Check that your phone has enough battery (at least 30%)

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2. Reset only one Wi-Fi network (without deleting the others)

If the problem is with just one access point, there's no point in deleting all saved networks. Android has a feature "Forget Network"** deletes the data for a specific connection without affecting others. This is convenient when you need to reconnect to the router after changing the password or adjusting settings.

How it works in practice:

  1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
  2. Find the desired network in the list and tap on its name (SSID).
  3. Click "Forget"** (or Delete network on Xiaomi).
  4. Confirm the action. The phone will immediately disconnect from this access point.

After this, you can reconnect to the network by entering the current password. Please note: on some firmware (for example, ColorOS from Oppo/Realme) the "Forget" option can be hidden by long tapping on the network name.

3. Hard reset via the engineering menu (for experienced users)

On devices with processors MediaTek (most budget smartphones) and some models Qualcomm there is something hidden engineering menu, where you can reset network settings at a low level. This method is useful if a standard reset doesn't help or the phone doesn't detect networks at all.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect operations in the engineering menu may result in connection loss or malfunction of the Wi-Fi module. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions.

  • 📞 Open the app "Phone"** and enter the code: ##4636## (For MediaTek) or ##36446337## (for some Qualcomm).
  • 🔧 In the menu that opens, select Wi-Fi information or Wi-Fi testing.
  • 🔄 Find the option Reset Wi-Fi or Clear Wi-Fi Config and activate it.
  • 🔙 Return to the main menu and restart your phone.

If the code doesn't work, try alternative options for your manufacturer:

Brand Engineering menu code Wi-Fi reset section
Samsung *#0011# Wi-Fi → Menu → Reset
Xiaomi/Redmi ##4636## Wi-Fi information → Clear
Huawei/Honor ##2846579## ProjectMenu → Wi-Fi → Reset Config
Google Pixel ##4636## Wi-Fi information → Forget All Networks

On some devices, after resetting via the engineering menu, you may need to Recalibrate the Wi-Fi module. To do this, find the option in the same menu Wi-Fi Calibration and follow the instructions on the screen.

What should I do if the engineering menu doesn't open?

If none of the codes worked, then the manufacturer has blocked access to these settings. An alternative is to use ADB (section 4) or perform a full reset to factory settings (section 5).

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

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a tool for debugging Android devices via a computer. It can be used to reset Wi-Fi even if the phone is unresponsive or the settings menu is inaccessible. This method requires Wi-Fi to be enabled. USB debugging and installed drivers.

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. Download Platform Tools from the official website Android Developers and unzip the archive.
  2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB and allow debugging (a prompt will appear on your phone).
  3. Open Command Prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and enter:
adb shell

su


pm clear com.android.providers.settings


rm /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml


reboot

If you don't have rights root, use the alternative command:

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR

⚠️ Attention: the last command executes full reset of the phone Factory reset! Use it only if other methods fail.

After rebooting, all network settings will be erased. If ADB gives an error device unauthorized, check what's in the section on your phone Settings → For developers option enabled "USB debugging"** and this computer has been trusted.

Standard reset via settings|Delete one network ("Forget")|Engineering menu|ADB|Never reset

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5. Full reset of the phone to factory settings

If Wi-Fi doesn't work even after all the manipulations, there is one last option - hard reset (hard reset) This method erases all data on your phone, including apps, photos, and accounts, so use it only as a last resort.

How to reset:

  • 🔄 Go to Settings → System → Reset settings.
  • 📱 Select "Factory reset"** (or Delete all data).
  • 🔐 Enter PIN code or a graphic key for confirmation.
  • ⏳ Wait for the process to complete (may take up to 10 minutes).

After the reset, the phone will reboot to its original state, just like when you bought it. You will need to reconfigure your Wi-Fi and account. Google and other parameters. Important: If the problem was a hardware malfunction (for example, a damaged Wi-Fi module), a reset will not help - repairs will be required.

6. Why might Wi-Fi not work even after a reset?

If after all these steps the internet still won't connect, the problem may be more profound than it seems. Here are the most common causes:

  • 📡 Router malfunction: Try connecting to a different network (for example, from a friend's phone or public Wi-Fi).
  • 📶 Interference from other devices: Microwaves, wireless headphones, or neighboring routers on the same channel can block the signal.
  • 🔧 Phone firmware failure: after an unsuccessful update Android The Wi-Fi module may not work properly.
  • 🔌 Hardware failure: If the phone was dropped or got wet, the Wi-Fi chip could be damaged.

To diagnose the problem:

  1. Check if the phone sees it at least one The network is in the list of available networks. If the list is empty, the module is most likely faulty.
  2. Connect to the router via cable (if the phone supports it) USB-Ethernet) or through USB modem.
  3. Install an app like Wi-Fi Analyzer (available in Google Play) to check the signal level and channel load.

If none of these steps help, contact a service center. Wi-Fi module repairs are usually free on phones under warranty.

7. Features of resetting Wi-Fi on popular brands

Manufacturers often modify Android Depending on your needs, the reset process may vary. Let's look at the specifics for the most common brands.

Samsung (One UI)

On phones Galaxy The Wi-Fi reset is hidden deeper than on the stock one Android:

  1. Go to Settings → General Management → Reset.
  2. Select "Reset network settings"** (not to be confused with Reset all settings!).
  3. Confirm the action with PIN code or fingerprint.

Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (MIUI)

IN MIUI There is a separate option to reset only Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:

  1. Open Settings → Storage → Reset settings.
  2. Select "Reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings"**.
  3. Confirm by clicking Reset settings.

Huawei/Honor (EMUI/Magic UI)

On devices Huawei Network reset may require additional confirmation via Huawei ID:

  1. Go to Settings → System & updates → Reset.
  2. Select "Reset network settings"**.
  3. Enter your account password Huawei, if necessary.

Google Pixel (pure Android)

On Pixel the process is as simplified as possible:

  1. Open Settings → System → Reset settings.
  2. Tap on "Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth"**.
  3. Confirm by clicking Reset settings.

⚠️ Please note: on some models Pixel After a reset, the option may disappear. Wi-Fi Calling (Wi-Fi calling). To get it back, go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIM cards → Wi-Fi Calling and turn the function back on.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓ After resetting Wi-Fi, my phone can't see my network. What should I do?

If the network has disappeared from the list of available ones, try:

  1. Reboot the router (unplug it from the power outlet for 30 seconds).
  2. Check if it is hidden SSID in the router settings (open the control panel at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
  3. Make sure your phone and router are in the same band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).

If nothing helps, it is possible that the router is using a non-standard channel (for example, 165 in the range 5 GHz), which is not supported by your phone.

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

Yes, standard network reset (Reset Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth settings) does not affect:

  • Photos, videos and music;
  • Installed applications;
  • SMS and call history;
  • Account Settings (Google, social networks, etc.).

The exception is if you use ADB or engineering menu with rights root.

❓ Why has Wi-Fi become worse after updating Android?

This is a common problem, especially after major updates (for example, with Android 12 on 13). Reasons:

  • 🔄 Reset network settings: sometimes the system resets parameters DNS or MTU to standard ones, which reduces the speed.
  • 🛠️ Firmware bugs: in new versions Android There may be errors in the Wi-Fi drivers.
  • 📡 Change in energy saving policy: Aggressive battery optimization may disable Wi-Fi in the background.

Solutions:

  1. Set manually DNS (For example, 8.8.8.8 from Google or 1.1.1.1 from Cloudflare).
  2. Disable the feature Adaptive Wi-Fi in the network settings.
  3. Install the beta firmware version (if available) - bugs are often fixed in subsequent builds.
❓ How do I transfer saved Wi-Fi networks to a new phone?

Android doesn't provide built-in tools to export/import Wi-Fi networks, but there are workarounds:

  1. Manual input: The most reliable, but time-consuming way is to re-enter your passwords.
  2. Backup apps: WiFi Key Recovery (requires root) or Swift Backup (saves settings to the cloud).
  3. QR codes: On your old phone, generate a QR code for the network (there is an option in the Wi-Fi settings) Share), and scan it on the new one.
  4. Synchronization via Google: If you have the same account on both phones, some networks may transfer automatically (this does not work on all devices).

⚠️ Note: Wi-Fi backup apps often require root rights and may pose a security threat (passwords are stored in clear text).

❓ Is it possible to reset Wi-Fi via Recovery Mode?

Technically yes, but that's the equivalent of a hard reset of the phone (wipe data/factory reset). IN Recovery Mode There's no option to selectively reset just network settings. To get there:

  1. Turn off your phone.
  2. Press and hold the following combination of buttons (depending on the model):
    • Samsung: Power + Volume Up + Bixby;
    • Xiaomi: Power + Volume Up;
    • Google Pixel: Power + Volume Down.
  • On the menu Recovery select Wipe data/factory reset (control - volume buttons, selection - power button).

    • This method erases all data on your phone, so use it only if other methods have not helped.

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