When you try to install Windows on your computer, you may sometimes get stuck on the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen. If there’s a Back or Skip button on the screen, click on it and check if you notice any changes. If nothing happens, restart your computer. Well, if your machine gets stuck again on the same screen, follow the steps below to solve the problem.
How Do You Bypass “Let’s Connect You to a Network” in Windows?
Use a Mobile Hotspot
If your computer cannot connect to a wireless connection, use a mobile hotspot instead. Sharing your phone’s mobile data may help you solve the problem. Just make sure to disconnect all the other devices using the same connection. The computer you’re trying to install Windows on should be the only device connected to your phone’s hotspot.
Use an Ethernet Adapter
Use a cable connection if your device still won’t connect to a wireless or hotspot connection. If your laptop doesn’t have an Ethernet port, use a USB to Ethernet adapter. Then, use a cable to connect your machine to your router. Try to install or activate Windows again.
Stop the Network Connection Flow Process
- Disconnect all the peripherals connected to your computer.
- Then, plug a keyboard into one of the USB ports.
- Note: Use a USB-C to USB adapter if your computer doesn’t support USB connections.
- Then, press Shift and F10 to launch Command Prompt.
- Type taskmgr, and hit Enter.
- Click on the Processes tab.
- Locate the Network Connection Flow process.
- Right-click on it and select End task.
- The “Let’s connect you to a network’ prompt should disappear.
- Create a new local account when prompted.
Conclusion
If your computer got stuck on the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen, check if you can connect to a mobile hotspot. Alternatively, use a cable connection. Use a USB-C to Ethernet adapter if your laptop doesn’t have an Ethernet port. If the issue persists, force-stop the Network Connection Flow process.
Did you solve the problem and connect your computer to the Internet? Which solution worked for you? Comment down below.
Rick says
No did not help. Zero instructions how to re-establish internet connection once you bypass. NEED ANSWER TO ZACK comment. Got into computer but still no internet
J says
Thank you!
Dan Lauber says
Solution that worked for me. I realize that each person’s experience can differ, but here’s one that did work.
The only thing that worked for me was:
In the UEFI BIOS, I went to Secure Boot and I changed the OS to Windows UEFI and changed “custom” to “standard.” (I don’t know if this was critical, but the next step did not work for me until I made this change.)
I set my cell phone to USB tether and connected it via USB cable to the new computer I was building. After a few minutes, Windows recognized the cell phone as a hotspot and I was able to complete the installation.
The business with ending the Network Completion Flow task didn’t do a thing ,.. for me. Simply connecting the network cable didn’t work nor does turning off the modem or router (I cannot fathom from where that idea eminated).
I’ve built or rescued from dead about 70 computers over the years, including a slew of upgrades to Windows 10 and 11. This was my first new installation of Windows 11 and this business with the internet connection is inexcusable. You’d think that the good folks at Microsoft would enable you to skip these steps until you’re in Windows 11 and have established your network connection.
Mitch Bartlett says
Solid tip! Thanks!
Tomasz says
You can get to Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc but killing the process described above gets you nowhere. I don’t know why this build is hellbent on connecting to the internet while not detecting any already present NIC’s.
What worked for me is: while in the Let’s Connect screen, turn USB tethering in your phone, plug it USB cable connected to your phone to your Windows machine, wait for it to show, choose it and viola. You’re done.
Ranolang Mokere says
This did not helped at all. There is no skip or back button. Shift+f10 keys don’t do anything. I have restarted many times
Latosha Stringer says
Nothing worked for me. This is my out of box experience and I wish I would have never bought this laptop, especially without a warranty
Dieslaughing says
The problem seems to be that the drop-down to choose WHEN (????) to connect to network IS NOT A REAL MENU. Someone apparently forgot to put the functional part in there.
And why is it asking WHEN?? What? There’s no way to select anything. Skip doesn’t work, just loops back to the screen with the non-functional menu. I’m actually not just surprised, but REALLY? Windows just sucks. Can’t even get into a brand new computer.
Paul Roberts says
In my post dated October 23, 2022 at 6:20 am. I forgot to mention that after you have ended the “Network Connection Flow” process. You may need to keep starting the OS until you get a blue screen that will says something like “We have noticed your computer is having problems starting. Would you like to connect using a LAN connection. ” or words to that affect. Once you get to this screen, choose the options required to set up a LAN connection, and this will get you past the WIFI Connection screen and will continue to load the Windows 11 OS sysem after a few minutes.
Paul Roberts says
I had this issue while repairing my Tower Desktop Computer after the OS stopped loading and I had to reinstall it and nothing worked. It didn’t have a WIFI connection. Only a LAN Connection. I tried using a Netgear Wireless AC Adapter with the WIFI security turned off. It still wouldn’t connect. I tried using my Mobile as a hotspot. It still didn’t work. I then disconnected the WIFI adapter and plugged a LAN cable from the computer to the router. I started the task manager using a keyboard with a USB cable and clicked the “More details” option and then expanded the “Network Connection Flow” process as shown above (ie. > Network Connection Flow” so arrow reveals the “Network Connection Flow” process below it. Then I right clicked on it and selected “End Task”. No more problems after this, The Windows 11 OS asked the usual started up questions and loaded the OS after a few minutes.
Corey says
There’s no back. There’s no skip. I have no money for fancy dongles or whatever. No way to connect it. How to proceed
Jon says
Helped 100%. Thanks a lot!
mansntlv says
Just to disable security boot in bios.
Zack says
Will I need to re-enable the “network connection flow” task to be able to connect to WiFi after I’ve logged in. If so, how?
I’m asking because my external WiFi adapter won’t show up when I try to connect to internet.
Vicki harvey says
Thank you so much for your expert help. I’m locked out computer it’s totally frozen and I don’t have a power button. After I factory reset it all happen
James says
I found it explained a little better someplace else…
Your steps work, but there is an added detail. You need to click on “more details” in task manager, it seems the default is a simple display of basic tasks running . Its no the full list.
So if anyone is having trouble, you need to look for the “more details” in task manager. then you can close “network connection flow”
James says
Did not help.
I’m installing Windows 11 from new. During the install and set-up, they say “let’s connect you to a network.” But it seems it does not recognize the drivers for my network connection. how do I bypass this?
Your method only brings up 2 options to kill, Task manager itself and Microsoft account. If I end Microsoft account, the install starts all over and I get stuck at same screen. Obviously it would do no good to end the taskmgr…
I’ll have to see if I can find a network adapter that is recognized just so I can install windows?
Then I need to download new drivers to use my native NIC and remove the temporary NIC… What a hassle, thanks Microsoft!