In Ubuntu Linux, all Wi-Fi connections, VPN profiles, and Ethernet settings are handled by a background daemon called NetworkManager. Over time, as you connect to dozens of different coffee shop Wi-Fi networks, install third-party VPN clients, or manually tinker with custom DNS routing, the NetworkManager configuration files can become severely bloated and corrupted.
This corruption usually manifests as the Wi-Fi icon constantly spinning without connecting, the system refusing to acquire an IP address from your home router, or the network menu completely disappearing from your desktop panel. If standard troubleshooting fails, you can completely reset NetworkManager to its factory default state by wiping its configuration cache.
How to Completely Reset Ubuntu NetworkManager Settings
You must delete the system-wide connection profiles and restart the background daemon.
- Open your Terminal application (Ctrl + Alt + T).
- First, you must stop the NetworkManager service to release its lock on the configuration files. Type the following command and press Enter (providing your password when prompted):
sudo systemctl stop NetworkManager - Next, you must delete the physical configuration files that store all your saved Wi-Fi passwords and custom network profiles. Warning: This will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks. You will need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password after this reset. Type this command and press Enter:
sudo rm -rf /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/* - Sometimes, the internal state cache also becomes corrupted. Delete it by typing this command and pressing Enter:
sudo rm /var/lib/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.state - Finally, you must start the fresh, completely blank NetworkManager service. Type this command and press Enter:
sudo systemctl start NetworkManager
Look at the top-right corner of your Ubuntu desktop. Within a few seconds, the network icon will reappear. Because its configuration files were completely wiped, NetworkManager will rebuild its internal cache from scratch. You can now click the icon, select your home Wi-Fi network, and type your password to establish a clean, uncorrupted connection.