How to Fix Wlanext.exe Problems on Windows 10/11

Windows 10/11 is prone to errors, particularly related to exe files, as malware developers exploit vulnerabilities to launch attacks. One such deceptive file commonly used is wlanext.exe, which can trick unsuspecting Windows users.

What is wlanext.exe and why does wlanext.exe cause problems on Windows 10/11? Read on to know the answers.

About the Wlanext.exe File

Wlanext.exe is an exe file that is known to cause errors in Windows 10/11 devices. Although it’s a genuine file created by Microsoft, considering it’s an exe file, it is often used in malware attacks.

Most of the time, wlanext.exe errors occur at startup. This can be caused by poor programming on Microsoft’s end or conflicts with third-party plug-ins. It can also be caused by an outdated network hardware component. Regardless of what’s causing it, the good news is that there are ways to resolve them.

What to Do about Wlanext.exe Errors on Windows 10/11?

Below, we will share some effective solutions to resolve wlanext.exe errors in Windows 10/11.

Solution #1: Disable then enable your wireless adapter

To fix problems with wlanet.exe, you may need to disable your wireless adapter. Here’s how you do it:

1. Press the Windows + X keys to launch the Win X menu.
2. Select Device Manager.
3. Locate your wireless adapter, right-click on it, and select Disable Device.
4. Wait for your system to finish disabling your wireless adapter. Now, right-click on your disabled adapter and select Enable Device.
5. Check if the problem persists.

Solution #2: Use the Network Troubleshooter

Your Windows device has a built-in troubleshooting tool that can fix any network-related issues. It’s called the Network Troubleshooter.

To use it, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Settings app by pressing the Windows + I keys.
2. Navigate to the Update and Security section.
3. Select Troubleshoot > Network Adapter.
4. Click the Run the Troubleshooter button.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the troubleshooting process.

Solution #3: Boot into Safe Mode

In case you don’t know, Safe Mode is a special part of Windows that only runs the default apps and drivers. You may try to boot your PC into this mode to resolve problems with the wlanext.exe file. Here’s a detailed guide on what to do:

1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows + I keys.
2. Go to the Update and Security section.
3. Choose Recovery and hit the Restart Now button.
4. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
5. Click Restart.
6. Check if the problem persists.
7. Once your computer reboots, choose Safe Mode with Networking.

Solution #4: Perform a clean boot

This solution may be challenging to newbies, so we highly discourage trying this if you are not that familiar with the ins and outs of your Windows PC.

To perform a clean boot, follow the instructions below:

1. Press the Windows + R keys to launch the Run dialog box.
2. Type msconfig into the text field and hit OK. This will launch the System Configuration window.
3. Navigate to the Services tab and tick the Hide all Microsoft Services option.
4. Hit the Disable All button to disable all startup services.
5. Next, go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
6. A list of startup applications should appear on your screen. Right-click on the first item on the list and select Disable. Repeat this for all startup apps on the list.
7. Once all startup apps are disabled, go back to the System Configuration window and hit Apply to save your changes.
8. Restart your PC. If the issue no longer appears, it only means one of the apps were causing the problem.

Solution #5: Disable your wireless connection temporarily

If the above solutions did not work, try to disable your wireless connection temporarily. This has worked for some affected users, so it’s worth trying on your end, too.

Here’s how:

1. Go to the Settings app by pressing the Windows + I keys.
2. Navigate to the Network and Internet section.
3. Select Change Adapter Options.
4. At this point, a new window will appear. Find your wireless connection on the list and right-click on it.
5. Select Disable.
6. After disabling your connection, wait for at least 30 seconds, right-click on your connection again, and select Enable.

Solution #6: Reinstall or roll back your device drivers

Reinstalling your drivers or rolling back them back to a previously working state may also work for you.

To roll back your device drivers, follow these steps:

1. Launch Device Manager.
2. Find your wireless adapter and double-click on it.
3. Go to the Driver tab and hit the Roll Back Driver button.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to roll back your device driver to a previously working version.

If the problem is still not resolved, you may choose to reinstall your device drivers. Here’s how:

1. Launch the Device Manager and find your wireless adapter driver.
2. Right-click on it and select Uninstall Device.
3. When a confirmation menu appears, check if the Remove Driver Software for This Device option is there. If it is, hit the Uninstall button.
4. Once the device driver has been removed, hit the Scan for Hardware Changes Doing this will install the default device driver and hopefully resolve the error.

Solution #7: Check if your system is up to date

Microsoft regularly rolls out system updates and security patches to fix any reported errors in the previous OS versions. By installing them, you can resolve any problems, including those related to the wlanext.exe file.

To check if your system is up to date, do the following:

1. Launch the Settings app by pressing the Windows + I keys.
2. Select Update and Security.
3. Click the Check for Updates button.
4. If any updates are available, they will be downloaded and installed automatically.

Solution #8: Perform a System Restore

If all else fails, you may perform a system restore. But again, this might not be an easy solution, especially for beginners. And it can only be done if you have a restore point created beforehand.

Should you wish to perform a system restore, just follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows + S keys.
2. Into the text field, enter system restore.
3. Choose the Create a Restore Point option from the list.
4. The System Properties window should appear. Hit the System Restore button.
5. Once the System Restore window opens, hit the Next button.
6. If available, tick the Show more restore points option.
7. Select your desired restore point and click Next.
8. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the system restore process.

Wrapping Up

There you have it! We hope that one of the solutions above worked for you and resolved the wlanext.exe problem on your Windows 10/11 PC. If you want to add anything to this topic, reach out to us in the comments section!