When your PC’s Wi-Fi adapter stops working, Windows can show no networks, refuse the password, or make the adapter disappear from the connection list. Start with the wireless controls you can fix in seconds, then move into drivers and reset options only when the quick checks fail. Here are the Windows 11 fixes that match Microsoft and manufacturer guidance.
Turn Wi-Fi back on first
This fixes a Wi-Fi adapter that is switched off in Windows or stuck at the network picker.
Select the Network, Sound, or Battery icons on the right side of the taskbar.
Turn on Wi-Fi.
Select your Wi-Fi network.
Choose Connect.
Enter the Wi-Fi password when Windows asks for it.
Disable Airplane mode
The most common simple cause is Airplane mode turning off the wireless radio while the rest of the PC looks normal.
Open the taskbar network flyout.
Select the Airplane mode tile so it changes from blue to gray.
Turn Wi-Fi back on if Windows leaves it off.
You can also open Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane mode and turn off Airplane mode.
Return to Wi-Fi and connect again.
Check the Windows Wi-Fi switch and adapter state
Open Start > Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, turn on Wi-Fi, choose your network, and connect.
If Wi-Fi is disabled at the adapter level, open Network & Internet > Advanced network settings and choose Enable next to Wi-Fi.
On laptops with a physical wireless switch or wireless function key, turn the switch on or press the wireless key marked with an airplane or wireless-signal icon. Lenovo systems use Fn+F5 or F5 where provided, while HP and Dell laptops use model-specific wireless buttons or switches.
Restart the PC and run the Windows troubleshooter
Use this when the adapter is visible but the connection still fails, drops, or refuses to list networks.
Save your work and close open apps.
Go to Start > Power > Restart.
After Windows comes back, open Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and run Network and Internet, which hands the job to Get Help.
You can also start it directly: open the Get Help app, enter connect to network and internet in the search box, and choose Run network diagnostics.
Follow the prompts.
Try the Wi-Fi connection again from the taskbar network flyout.
Forget the network and reconnect
This fixes a saved Wi-Fi profile with the wrong password, security details, or stale connection information.
Open Start > Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
Choose Manage known networks.
Select the Wi-Fi network that fails.
Choose Forget.
Return to the available Wi-Fi networks list.
Select the same network.
Choose Connect.
Enter the password again.
Rule out the router or Wi-Fi band
Try this when your adapter sees the network but will not connect, or when the failure happens only on your home Wi-Fi.
Connect another laptop, phone, or tablet to the same Wi-Fi network.
If the other device connects, focus on the PC and adapter.
If the other device fails too, focus on the router, modem, or internet service.
Unplug the router power.
Unplug the modem power.
Remove the modem backup battery if the lights stay on.
Wait at least 30 seconds.
Reconnect the modem and wait for the lights to stabilize.
Reconnect the router, wait a few minutes, and try the PC again.
When your router shows separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names, open the available Wi-Fi networks list, select the other band’s network name, and choose Connect.
Repair or reinstall the Wi-Fi driver
Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click the Wi-Fi adapter and choose Enable device if Windows shows it as disabled.
Right-click the adapter again and choose Update driver.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
Choose Search for updated drivers on Windows update if Windows offers it.
For a stubborn driver problem, right-click the Wi-Fi adapter and choose Uninstall device.
Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device.
Choose Uninstall.
Restart from Start > Power > Restart.
Keep a backup driver from your PC maker before uninstalling the adapter driver, especially when the PC has no Ethernet port.
Install the correct manufacturer driver
This fixes adapters that need the PC maker’s or adapter maker’s current Windows driver.
Open your PC maker’s official driver portal for Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, or another OEM system.
Enter or detect your exact PC model.
Download the wireless or network driver for that model.
For supported Intel adapters, use Intel’s Wireless Wi-Fi Drivers page or Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
For TP-Link or NETGEAR USB Wi-Fi adapters, use the official download center for the exact adapter model and hardware version.
Install the downloaded driver.
Restart the PC and test Wi-Fi again.
Use network reset only at the end
Open Start > Settings > Windows Update and choose Check for updates before a full reset. Install available updates and restart when Windows asks.
When normal fixes fail, open Start > Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset, choose Reset now, select Yes, and wait for the PC to restart.
On a work or school PC, Wi-Fi can be blocked or configured by the organization. When Windows says settings are managed by your organization, ask your IT admin to check whether Wi-Fi is allowed and whether the correct Wi-Fi profile is assigned.
Older Intel PROSet/Wireless Software steps belong to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, not current Windows 11 troubleshooting. For Windows 11, use Settings, Device Manager, Windows Update, and official manufacturer driver downloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Wi-Fi adapter not showing any networks?
Wi-Fi is off, Airplane mode is on, the adapter is disabled, or the driver needs repair. Start with the taskbar Wi-Fi toggle, then check Advanced network settings and Device Manager.
Should I uninstall my Wi-Fi adapter driver?
Use driver uninstall only after the radio, saved network, router, and update checks fail. In Device Manager, uninstall the Wi-Fi adapter, select the option to remove the driver, and restart so Windows attempts to reinstall it.
Is the problem my PC or my router?
Connect another phone, tablet, or laptop to the same Wi-Fi network. If that device connects, troubleshoot the PC. If it fails too, restart the modem and router and treat the network as the problem.
What should I do if this is a work or school computer?
Contact the administrator. Managed Windows PCs can have Wi-Fi blocked or configured by policy, so the fix must come from the organization’s Wi-Fi policy or assigned profile.
