Fix Windows 10 LTSC 21H2 WiFi Issues After Network Switching

Windows 10 LTSC 21H2 wifi connectivity issues after network switching are a common problem where the internet stops working only resumes after PC reboot. This issue often stems from driver incompatibilities, power management settings, or known Windows update bugs affecting the LTSC version specifically. Several troubleshooting methods can resolve these wifi connectivity problems without requiring system restarts.

Contents

• Understanding the Problem
• Initial Troubleshooting Steps
• Driver Solutions
• Advanced Network Configuration
• Windows Update and Known Issues
• Permanent Solutions
• Sources
• Conclusion

Understanding the Problem

The wifi connectivity issues on Windows 10 LTSC 21H2 occur specifically when switching between different Wi-Fi networks. This problem is unique to the LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel) version of Windows 10, which receives fewer updates but may contain compatibility issues with newer networking technologies. When you switch networks, the system fails to properly establish a new connection, leaving you without internet access until a complete system reboot.

According to Microsoft’s troubleshooting documentation, this issue typically manifests when the Wi-Fi adapter fails to properly release resources from the previous connection or authenticate with the new network. The problem is exacerbated by the LTSC version’s conservative update approach, which may not include the latest networking patches available in regular Windows 10 updates.

Initial Troubleshooting Steps

Before diving into complex solutions, try these basic troubleshooting steps to restore connectivity after switching Wi-Fi networks on your Windows 10 LTSC 21H2 system.

Network Reset

The most effective initial solution is performing a network reset, which removes all network adapters and resets settings to their default state. According to Pureinfotech’s guide, this process automatically reinstalls every network adapter configured on your device and resets all network settings.

To perform a network reset:

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Status
2. Scroll down and click “Network Reset”
3. Select “Reset now” and confirm
4. Allow your system to restart and reinstall network adapters

This often resolves the immediate issue, though you’ll need to reconnect to all previously saved networks afterward.

Airplane Mode Toggle

A simpler quick fix is toggling Airplane mode:

1. Open Action Center or Settings > Network & Internet
2. Turn Airplane mode on, wait 10 seconds
3. Turn Airplane mode off
4. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network

This can sometimes reset the network stack without requiring a full reboot.

Disable and Re-enable Adapter

Manually disabling and re-enabling your Wi-Fi adapter can also help:

1. Press Windows key + X and select “Device Manager”
2. Expand “Network adapters”
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select “Disable”
4. Wait 10 seconds, then right-click again and select “Enable”
5. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi network

Driver Solutions

Driver-related issues are a common cause of wifi connectivity problems on Windows 10 LTSC 21H2. The LTSC version often ships with older drivers that may not be fully compatible with newer networking hardware or protocols.

Update Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers are frequently the culprit. As noted in community troubleshooting guides, updating your network adapter drivers can resolve many connectivity issues.

To update your drivers:

1. Press Windows key + X and select “Device Manager”
2. Expand “Network adapters”
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select “Update driver”
4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software”
5. If no updates are found, visit your manufacturer’s website

Reinstall Network Drivers

If updating doesn’t work, a complete reinstall may be necessary:

1. In Device Manager, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter
2. Select “Uninstall device” (check “Delete the driver software” if available)
3. Restart your computer
4. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver
5. Update the driver again after reinstalling

Manufacturer-Specific Drivers

For optimal performance, always download drivers directly from your hardware manufacturer’s website rather than relying on Windows Update. This is particularly important for Windows 10 LTSC 21H2, which may not have the latest drivers through Windows Update.

Advanced Network Configuration

If basic troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to adjust advanced network configuration settings specific to Windows 10 LTSC 21H2.

Power Management Settings

Power management features can interfere with Wi-Fi connectivity:

1. Open Device Manager and expand “Network adapters”
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select “Properties”
3. Go to the “Power Management” tab
4. Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”
5. Click “OK” and test connectivity

This prevents Windows from putting your Wi-Fi adapter into a low-power state that can cause disconnection issues.

Network Adapter Properties

Adjusting advanced properties can help:

1. In Device Manager, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select “Properties”
2. Go to the “Advanced” tab
3. Look for settings like " roaming sensitivity" or “disconnect on idle”
4. Adjust these values to be less aggressive
5. Test connectivity between network switches

Configure Network Services

Some Windows services can affect network connectivity:

1. Press Windows key + R, type “services.msc”, and press Enter
2. Find and ensure these services are running:
   • WLAN AutoConfig
   • DHCP Client
   • Network Location Awareness
3. Right-click each service, select “Properties”, and set “Startup type” to “Automatic”
4. Click “Start” if the service isn’t running
5. Restart your computer and test

Windows Update and Known Issues

Windows 10 LTSC 21H2 has specific known issues related to Wi-Fi connectivity that Microsoft has acknowledged. Understanding these can help you implement targeted solutions.

Microsoft Acknowledged Issues

According to BleepingComputer’s reporting, Microsoft has identified issues with Wi-Fi connectivity on Windows 10 LTSC 21H2, particularly after certain updates. These issues can cause hotspot functionality to break and general connectivity problems.

Check for Known Problematic Updates

Review your installed updates and consider uninstalling recent ones that might be causing issues:

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
2. Click “View update history”
3. Click “Uninstall updates”
4. Look for recent network-related updates and uninstall them
5. Restart your computer and test connectivity

Apply Available Updates

While some updates cause problems, others may fix them:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
2. Click “Check for updates”
3. Install all available updates, especially network-related ones
4. Restart your computer after installation
5. Test connectivity between network switches

Permanent Solutions

If you continue experiencing issues after trying all other solutions, consider these more permanent approaches to resolve the Windows 10 LTSC 21H2 Wi-Fi connectivity problem.

Internet Connection Sharing Workaround

For users who need hotspot functionality, community sources have found that certain configurations can work around the issue:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator
2. Run: netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=YourNetworkName key=YourPassword
3. Run: netsh wlan start hostednetwork
4. Open Network Connections (ncpa.cpl)
5. Right-click your primary connection and select “Properties”
6. Go to “Sharing” tab and check “Allow other network users…”
7. Select “Wireless Network Connection” from the dropdown

This workaround has been confirmed to work on Windows 10 LTSC 21H2 according to user reports.

Alternative Network Stacks

Consider installing alternative network stacks:

1. Download and install third-party Wi-Fi management software
2. These applications often provide more robust network switching capabilities
3. They can maintain connections during network transitions
4. Popular options include Connectify, MyPublicWiFi, or third-party Wi-Fi managers

System Restore or In-Place Upgrade

As a last resort:

1. Perform a system restore to a point before the issue began
2. Alternatively, perform an in-place upgrade of Windows 10
3. This will preserve your files and applications while reinstalling Windows
4. After upgrade, immediately install all available updates

Sources

1. Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows - Microsoft Support
2. How to fix any Wi-Fi problem on Windows 10 - Pureinfotech
3. Microsoft: June Windows updates may break Wi-Fi hotspots - BleepingComputer
4. Solved: WiFi Keeps Disconnecting After Windows 10 update - Windows101tricks
5. Wireless network connectivity issues troubleshooting - Windows Client
6. Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) Stops Working After Reboot in Windows 10 - Woshub

Conclusion

Windows 10 LTSC 21H2 wifi connectivity issues after network switching can be frustrating but are resolvable through systematic troubleshooting. Start with basic network resets and driver updates, then progress to advanced configuration adjustments if needed. Remember that this is a known issue affecting the LTSC version, with Microsoft acknowledging specific problems with certain updates. By following the solutions outlined above, particularly the network reset approach and driver management, you can maintain consistent internet connectivity without requiring system reboots when switching between Wi-Fi networks on your Windows 10 LTSC 21H2 system.