4 Ways To Reset Firewall Settings In Windows 10

Firewalls protect your PC by filtering incoming and outgoing network traffic. But sometimes, misconfigured rules or third-party software can cause conflicts, block legit connections, or slow your system down. Resetting your Windows 10 firewall can fix these issues fast.

Here are four solid ways to reset your firewall settings back to default—whether you’re troubleshooting a network issue or just want a clean slate.

1. Reset via Control Panel

The Control Panel method is straightforward and user-friendly.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R, type control, and hit Enter.
2. Go to System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
3. On the left, click Restore defaults.
4. Click Restore defaults again on the next screen.
5. Confirm by clicking Yes.

Why use this: It’s quick and doesn’t require any technical skill.

2. Reset Using Windows Settings

If you’re more used to the modern Settings interface, here’s how to do it there.

Steps:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Update & Security > Windows Security.
3. Click Firewall & network protection.
4. Scroll down and click Restore firewalls to default.
5. Hit Restore defaults and confirm.

Why use this: It’s built into the main Settings menu, and easy to navigate.

3. Reset via Command Prompt (Admin)

Need to do it fast or automate it? Use the Command Prompt.

Steps:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Type this command and press Enter: netsh advfirewall reset

Why use this: It’s efficient and perfect for scripts or remote fixes.

4. Reset Using Windows PowerShell

Prefer PowerShell? This one-liner resets your firewall the same way.

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Enter: (New-Object -ComObject HNetCfg.FwPolicy2).RestoreLocalFirewallDefaults()

Why use this: Great for advanced users or admins managing multiple machines.

Final Tip: What Happens When You Reset?

Resetting the firewall:

• Deletes all custom rules
• Restores default settings for all profiles (Domain, Private, Public)
• Re-enables Windows Defender Firewall if it was turned off

So, after a reset, make sure to reconfigure any necessary rules for apps you trust—like game servers, VPNs, or remote desktop tools.

Wrap-Up

If your firewall’s acting up, don’t waste hours trying to debug every rule. Just reset it and start clean. Whether you’re a casual user or a seasoned pro, one of these four methods will get the job done.

Got any other tech tips you want covered? Drop them in the comments.