How to Fix Windows Stuck on Let’s Connect You to a Network Screen

When installing or setting up Windows 11, you might get stuck on the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen. This is the point where Windows asks you to connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet before proceeding — but sometimes, even if you’re connected or have no available network, Windows won’t move forward.

This problem is common during Windows 11 setup (OOBE) or after a reset, and it usually happens when:

You don’t have a network driver installed yet.
You’re using an edition of Windows (like Home) that requires an internet connection.
The setup process encounters a configuration or connectivity glitch.

If you’re stuck at this screen and can’t continue, don’t worry — there are multiple ways to bypass or fix it. Let’s go through all of them step-by-step.

1. Check for Physical and Network Issues

Start with the basics before applying technical fixes.

Ensure your Wi-Fi is turned on (toggle switch or function key on laptops).
Try connecting via Ethernet cable if Wi-Fi doesn’t appear.
If using a USB Wi-Fi adapter, unplug and reinsert it.
Restart your router or move closer to it for a stronger signal.

If the hardware works fine but you’re still stuck, move on to bypass or fix the setup screen.

2. Use a Keyboard Shortcut to Bypass the Screen

If you’re using Windows 11 Home, the setup process requires you to connect to a network — but there’s a hidden way to skip this step.

To bypass the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen:

When you’re stuck on the screen, press the keyboard shortcut: Shift + F10 This opens the Command Prompt window.
Type the following command and press Enter: OOBE\BYPASSNRO
Your computer will restart automatically.
After reboot, you’ll return to the setup screen — but now you’ll see a “I don’t have internet” option.
Select I don’t have internet → Continue with limited setup.

This trick works perfectly for Windows 11 Home users and allows you to complete setup without a network connection.

3. Connect via Ethernet Instead of Wi-Fi

If the bypass method doesn’t work, try connecting your PC directly to the router with an Ethernet cable.

Windows setup sometimes struggles to detect Wi-Fi drivers but recognizes Ethernet automatically.

Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into your PC.
Plug the other end into your router or modem.
Wait a few seconds for Windows to detect the connection.

Once connected, the “Next” button should become clickable.

4. Reinstall or Load Network Drivers During Setup

If you’re performing a clean installation using a USB drive and your network adapter isn’t detected, you’ll need to install the network driver manually.

Download the latest Wi-Fi or LAN driver from your PC manufacturer’s website on another device.
Copy the driver files to your Windows installation USB or another USB stick.
When you reach the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
Type: devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters → right-click → Update driver → Browse my computer for drivers.
Select your USB drive path and install the driver.

After the driver installs, close Device Manager. Your Wi-Fi network should now appear.

5. Disable Network Requirement Using a Registry Tweak

If you can’t bypass the screen normally, you can use a registry command to disable the internet requirement.

On the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen, press Shift + F10.
In Command Prompt, type: regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
Right-click Setup, select New → Key, and name it: LabConfig
Select LabConfig, right-click on the right pane, and choose New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name it: BypassNRO
Double-click it and set the Value data to 1.
Close Registry Editor and Command Prompt.
Restart your computer.

Now, the setup will allow you to continue without connecting to a network.

6. Use an Offline Account (Local Account Setup)

Once you bypass the network requirement, you can continue with a local account instead of a Microsoft account.

Select I don’t have internet when prompted.
Click Continue with limited setup.
Enter your name and set up your local Windows account.

After the setup completes, you can connect to Wi-Fi from within Windows.

7. Install Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise Instead

Windows 11 Home requires an internet connection during setup, but Pro and Enterprise editions allow you to create local accounts by default.

If you frequently reinstall Windows and prefer skipping online setup, consider using Windows 11 Pro instead.

8. Create a Bootable USB with a Modified ISO (Advanced)

If the standard bypass doesn’t work, you can modify the Windows 11 ISO to disable the network requirement before installation.

Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft.
Use Rufus (a free tool) to create a bootable USB.
When setting up Rufus, select:
- Remove requirement for online Microsoft account.
- Remove requirement for internet connection.
Burn the ISO to the USB drive and boot from it.
Proceed with installation — you’ll never see the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen.

This method is ideal for IT professionals or users who frequently reinstall Windows.

9. Check BIOS Settings for Disabled Network Adapters

In rare cases, your PC’s BIOS may have the network adapter disabled.

Restart your PC and enter the BIOS (press F2, F10, or Del, depending on the brand).
Look for Integrated Peripherals, Advanced, or Onboard Devices.
Ensure your Wi-Fi or LAN adapter is Enabled.
Save and exit BIOS.

Restart setup and check if the network option appears.

10. Complete Setup and Connect to Wi-Fi Later

If you successfully bypass the screen and complete the installation offline:

Once Windows 11 boots into the desktop, press Windows + I.
Go to Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
Turn on Wi-Fi and connect to your network manually.
Run Windows Update to download any missing drivers or updates.

This ensures your system has the latest network configurations and security patches.

Wrapping Up

If Windows 11 is stuck on the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen, it’s usually due to missing drivers or the network requirement in Windows 11 Home edition.

Start by using the Shift + F10 → OOBE\BYPASSNRO command to skip the network setup. If that doesn’t work, install network drivers manually, use an Ethernet cable, or modify the setup registry.

Once you’ve bypassed the screen and completed the setup, you can always connect to Wi-Fi later through Settings → Network & Internet.

With these methods, you can get past the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen easily and continue setting up Windows 11 without interruptions.