How To Adjust Network Connection Priority in Windows 11 Seamlessly

Reordering Network Connections on Windows 11

So, you’ve got a bunch of Wi-Fi networks and a trusty Ethernet connection, but somehow Windows 11 doesn’t seem to know which one to pick first. It’s annoying, right? You may want Windows to favor your Ethernet for stability but find it keeps choosing that slow Wi-Fi signal instead. Getting the priority set up properly can make a world of difference in your connectivity.

How to Tweak Network Priority in Windows 11

Alright, let’s get into how to fix this priority mess. It’s not rocket science, but Windows likes to keep some things hidden for reasons that aren’t quite clear. Here’s how to dive into those settings.

First, Find Your Way to Settings

Fire up the Windows Settings by either clicking the Start button and hunting down the gear icon or just smash Windows key + I. This gets you to the control center. Now you’re ready to get your hands dirty with network settings.

Want a faster route? Type Network & Internet in that search bar — it seriously cuts down on the clicking.

Next Up: Get into Network & Internet

In Settings, look for “Network & Internet”. This is where all the magic happens. Every Wi-Fi and Ethernet setting you could need is tucked away in here, just waiting to be adjusted.

Digging into Advanced Network Settings

Scroll down a bit and hit “Advanced network settings”. It might feel a bit old-school, but click on “More network adapter options” to open the classic Network Connections window. Nerve-racking, right? If you’re feeling fancy, hit Windows + R and type in this:

ncpa.cpl

That’ll take you where you need to be.

Check Out Your Network Adapters

You’ll now see all your network adapters listed—like Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and maybe some virtual stuff you don’t use. Take note of which ones you need to prioritize. Maybe even rename them to keep track, like “Home Wi-Fi” or “Office Ethernet.”

Setting the Network Adapter Priority

Windows doesn’t just let you drag and drop your networks in the right order. Instead, you’re going to mess with what’s called the metric value for each adapter. Lower number = higher priority. Here’s how:

Right-click the adapter you want to prioritize and hit Properties.
Find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties again.
Next, click Advanced….
Uncheck Automatic metric, and then set a tiny number, like 10, for your main connection, and 20, 30, etc., for others.

Or if command lines are your vibe, open PowerShell as admin and use this:

Get-NetIPInterface
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -InterfaceMetric 10
Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -InterfaceMetric 20

Just swap out the names based on what you see when you run Get-NetIPInterface. And remember, the lower the number, the higher the priority.

Helpful Pointers for Network Management

Changing priorities isn’t a one-time deal. Check your settings every now and then, especially after a Windows update—those updates can throw everything off. Keeping network drivers updated is another piece of the puzzle, because no one wants outdated drivers causing headaches. Hit up Device Manager:

devmgmt.msc

Under Network adapters, right-click and select Update driver. Easy peasy.

Name your networks in a way that makes sense so you don’t have to second guess what they are. And do consider going wired whenever you can; it tends to work better than that shaky Wi-Fi.

Wrapping Up

Fixing your network priority on Windows 11 is key for a smoother online experience. By making sure your device connects to the best network first, you avoid unnecessary delays that can really kill productivity. It’s not tough to get this sorted out, and once done, it can save a ton of frustration.

Just remember to check back regularly. If you keep everything in check—driver updates, network names, and metrics—you’ll have a way easier time surfing the web, working, or playing games online. Here’s to good connections!