How to Unblock Wi-Fi in Kaspersky Anti-Virus: A Step-by-Step Guide

You suddenly lost access to Wi-Fi, and a notification from Kaspersky Internet Security or Kaspersky Total Security Network blocking? This problem is more common than you might think—your antivirus software may be identifying your router, public network, or even your home connection as a potential threat. Causes range from false positives firewall to conflicts with Wi-Fi adapter drivers.

In this article we will look at 7 proven methods Restore internet access without sacrificing security. You'll learn how to temporarily suspend protection, add a network to exceptions, check firewall settings, and even diagnose hardware conflicts. Important: Some methods require administrator privileges, and disabling network protection can increase the risk of infection—use them wisely.

If the problem occurred after updating your antivirus or Windows, first try restarting your computer. In 30% of cases, this resolves the temporary file conflict. Still not resolved? Read on.

1. Check Kaspersky notifications: what exactly is being blocked?

Before you configure anything, determine the exact reason for the blockingKaspersky Anti-Virus can interrupt a connection in three main scenarios:

• 🔴 The firewall blocked a suspicious connection. — most often works on public Wi-Fi (hotels, cafes) or when using a VPN.
• 🔴 The Network Protection module has identified the router as a threat. — typical for devices with non-standard firmware (for example, DD-WRT or OpenWRT).
• 🔴 Conflict with Wi-Fi adapter driver — the antivirus may block network packets if the driver is outdated or damaged.

To see details:

1. Click on the icon Kaspersky in the tray (bottom right on the taskbar).
2. Select Reports → Notifications.
3. Find recent posts tagged Blocked or Network attack.

If the notification includes an IP address (e.g. 192.168.1.1), this is the address of your router. If the IP is external (for example, 142.250.185.46) — the antivirus is blocking the connection to a specific server (possibly due to a reputation filter).

2. Temporarily disabling network protection (quick fix)

The easiest way to get your Wi-Fi back is pause network protection For 10–60 minutes. This doesn't disable the antivirus completely, but only its traffic monitoring module. It's suitable for a one-time unlock (for example, to download a driver or update a router).

Instructions:

1. Open the main window Kaspersky Internet Security.
2. Go to Settings → Protection.
3. Find the section Network protection and move the slider to the position Off.
4. In the window that appears, select Pause for 1 hour.

Try connecting to Wi-Fi again

Open your browser and check access to websites.

Launch command prompt and run ping 8.8.8.8

If the Internet appears, the problem is definitely with the antivirus.

Attention: After the timer expires, protection will re-enable automatically. If Wi-Fi is blocked again, proceed to the next steps.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling network protection makes your computer vulnerable to network attacks (eg. MITM or ARP-spoofing). Do not use this method on public networks without a VPN.

3. Adding a Wi-Fi network to Kaspersky exclusions

If your antivirus is constantly blocking your home router, add it to trusted networksThis will allow Kaspersky to pass traffic without checking, but only for a specific connection.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Kaspersky and go to Settings → Security → Firewall.
2. Click Set up rules for networks.
3. Find your Wi-Fi network in the list (it may be named by SSID or router IP address, for example 192.168.0.1).
4. Click on the network and select Trusted network.
5. Save the changes and restart your computer.

If your network is not listed:

• 🔄 Connect to it manually through Windows (click on the Wi-Fi icon in the tray).
• 🔄 Restart Kaspersky — the network should appear in the rules.

4. Setting up a firewall for a Wi-Fi adapter

Sometimes Kaspersky blocks not the network itself, but Wi-Fi adapter driver, considering its activity suspicious. This is typical for laptops with adapters Intel AX200/AX210 or Qualcomm Atheros, as well as when using a USB-Wi-Fi-dongle (for example, TP-Link TL-WN725N).

To allow traffic for the adapter:

1. Open Settings → Security → Firewall → Set up application rules.
2. Click Add a rule and select By process name.
3. In the input field, enter:
   • For Windows 10/11: svchost.exe (manages network connections).
   • For adapters Intel: Netwtw10.sys or Netwsw00.sys.

Set a rule Allow everything and save.

⚠️ Attention: Allowing traffic for svchost.exe may weaken protection against network worms (eg WannaCry). Use this rule only if other methods have not helped.

5. Check for conflicts with drivers and Windows

If Wi-Fi blocking started after an update Windows or drivers, the problem may lie in software incompatibilitiesKaspersky often conflicts with:

• 🖥️ Windows updates (especially KB502xxxxx for Win 10/11).
• 🔌 Wi-Fi drivers from the manufacturer (not the ones that Windows Update installs).
• 🛡️ Other antiviruses (for example, leftovers Avast or NOD32).

Diagnostics:

1. Open device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Expand the section Network adapters.
3. Find your Wi-Fi adapter (e.g. Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200).
4. Right click → Properties → Driver.
5. Check it out Driver versionIf it's older than 2022, update it.

How to update the driver:

• 🔄 Through Windows Update: Settings → Windows Update → View optional updates.
• 🔄 Manually: Download the driver from the laptop manufacturer's website (not from the Intel/Broadcom website!).

How to completely remove the old driver?

1. Download the utility Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU).

2. Run it in safe mode (click Win + R, enter msconfig, select Safe mode).

3. In DDU, select your Wi-Fi adapter and click Clean and restart.

4. After rebooting, install the new driver.

6. Reset Kaspersky to factory settings

If the previous methods didn't work, try Reset the antivirus to its default stateThis will delete all custom rules, but will retain the license and virus databases.

Instructions:

1. Close all programs.
2. Open Kaspersky and go to Settings → Advanced.
3. Click Reset settings.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the PC to restart.

After reset:

• 🔄 Re-add Wi-Fi to trusted networks (see Section 3).
• 🔄 Update your antivirus databases (Databases → Update).

⚠️ Attention: Resetting removes all exceptions, including those you have set up for other programs (for example, uTorrent or Discord). Export the rules in advance via Settings → Export/Import.

7. Alternative solutions: if nothing helps

If Kaspersky continues to block Wi-Fi despite all settings, consider drastic measures:

• 🔧 Install a different version of the antivirus - sometimes a rollback helps Kaspersky 2021 (download from official archive).
• 🔄 Use the built-in Windows firewall - disable Kaspersky firewall and activate the standard one (Control Panel → Windows Defender Firewall).
• 🛠️ Reinstall your Wi-Fi adapter - physically disconnect it (if it is a USB dongle) or update the laptop BIOS (for built-in adapters).
• 🌐 Connect via cable - If Wi-Fi is critical, use an Ethernet connection until the problem is resolved.

If blocking occurs only on a specific network (for example, at an office or university), the problem may be with the router. Ask your network administrator to whitelist your MAC address or disable MAC filtering.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Kaspersky's Wi-Fi blocking

Why does Kaspersky only block Wi-Fi on my laptop, but everything works on my phone?

Antivirus analyzes traffic at the OS level, so blocking only affects the device where it is installed. On the phone (if it is not there) Kaspersky Mobile) or another PC without antivirus, Wi-Fi will work fine.

Exception: if Kaspersky is installed on the router (for example, via Kaspersky Safe Kids), the blocking will affect all devices on the network.

Is it possible to permanently disable Kaspersky's firewall, leaving only the antivirus?

Yes, but this will reduce protection against network attacks. To disable only the firewall:

1. Open Settings → Protection.
2. Find Firewall and move the slider to the position Off.
3. In the window that appears, select Disable permanently.

To offset the risks, enable Windows Firewall and use a VPN on public networks.

Kaspersky blocks Wi-Fi after sleep/hibernation. How to fix it?

The issue is related to a conflict between the adapter driver and the network security module. Solutions:

• Update your Wi-Fi driver (see Section 5).
• Turn it off Allow this device to wake the computer from standby in the adapter properties (Device Manager → Network Adapters → Properties → Power Management).
• Add a rule to the firewall for the process svchost.exe (cm. Section 4).

Will Wi-Fi work if I uninstall Kaspersky?

Yes, after completely removing the antivirus, the blocking will disappear, as the firewall will stop filtering traffic. However:

• Remove Kaspersky via kavremover utility (download from official website), and not through "Programs and Features".
• After deleting, turn on Windows Defender (Settings → Update & Security → Windows Security).

If Wi-Fi still doesn't work even after uninstalling, the problem lies with the router drivers or settings.

How can I check if Kaspersky is blocking my Wi-Fi, not my router or ISP?

Run diagnostics:

1. Disable Kaspersky Firewall (see Section 2).
2. If Wi-Fi works, the antivirus is to blame.
3. If not, check:
• Connect to the router via cable (if it works, the problem is in the Wi-Fi adapter).
• Internet access on other devices (if it doesn't work, the router or provider is to blame).