Why Windows 11 Loses Saved Wi-Fi Passwords After Every Restart

Quick fix: Wi-Fi passwords stored per-user are sometimes lost when the WLAN service’s profile cache breaks. Run netsh wlan show profiles in Terminal — if your network is missing, profile was lost. Re-add via Settings → Network. For persistence: tick Connect automatically when adding.

You reboot. Windows asks for Wi-Fi password again, even though you previously checked “Remember.” The cause is one of: WLAN service’s profile cache corruption, Group Policy auto-clearing profiles, or sync overwriting profiles between PCs.

What causes this

Wi-Fi profiles (SSID + password + connection settings) are stored per-user under C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Profiles. If this folder is wiped or corrupted, all profiles lost on next boot. Common causes: Group Policy clearing profiles on logoff (corporate). Storage Sense aggressively cleaning ProgramData. Antivirus quarantining WLAN service files. Microsoft Account sync with conflicting profiles from other devices.

Method 1: Re-add Wi-Fi profile with autoconnect

The standard fix.

1. Open Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Show available networks. Find your network.
3. Click. Tick Connect automatically. Enter password. Click Connect.
4. Verify in Manage known networks: your SSID listed with auto-connect.
5. Reboot. Should auto-reconnect without prompting.
6. If still prompts: profile being cleared. See Methods 2-3.

This is the basic verification.

Method 2: Check Group Policy for profile clearing

For corporate PCs.

1. Run gpresult /h C:\result.html in Terminal (Admin).
2. Open the HTML report. Search for “Wireless” or “WLAN” policies.
3. Common offender: Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11) Policies — corporate enforces specific networks, clears others.
4. For PCs accidentally joined to a domain or AAD: Settings → Accounts → Access work or school. Disconnect if not intended.
5. For PCs with Intune managed: contact IT to fix.
6. For Group Policy override on local PC (Pro): gpedit.msc → Computer Configuration → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11) Policies. Right-click → Create policy. Allow your network.

This is for managed-PC interference.

Method 3: Reset WLAN service and profiles

For corruption.

1. Open Terminal (Admin).
2. List current profiles:

   netsh wlan show profiles

3. Export profiles to backup:

   netsh wlan export profile folder=C:\WiFiBackup key=clear

   Saves all profiles as XML with passwords. Backup secure.

4. Restart WLAN service:

   net stop wlansvc
   net start wlansvc

5. If profiles still cleared after reboot: investigate C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Profiles\Interfaces for permissions issue. Right-click folder → Properties → Security → verify SYSTEM has full control.
6. Re-import lost profiles:

   netsh wlan add profile filename="C:\WiFiBackup\Wi-Fi-MyNetwork.xml"

7. For sync conflicts: Settings → Accounts → Sync your settings → toggle off “Other Windows settings” (includes Wi-Fi profiles in some builds).

This handles deeper profile corruption.

How to verify the fix worked

• Run netsh wlan show profiles. Network shown in user profiles list.
• Reboot. Wi-Fi auto-reconnects without prompting.
• Settings → Manage known networks: network shows Connect automatically: On.

If none of these work

If profiles continue clearing: Disk full: ProgramData on full disk can’t save profile updates. Free space. Permissions issue: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc ACLs may be broken. Run icacls C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Wlansvc /reset /T to restore. For PCs with multiple users: Wi-Fi profiles may be per-user. Make sure auto-connect is set for each user. For PCs joined to Azure AD: AAD-managed PCs may have policies forcing fresh sign-in. Contact IT. Last resort — reset network stack: netsh int ip reset + netsh winsock reset. Reboot. Re-add Wi-Fi from scratch.

Bottom line: Re-add Wi-Fi with Connect automatically ticked. Check Group Policy / Intune for profile-clearing rules. Backup profiles with netsh wlan export profile for restore after corruption.