Ubuntu Wi-Fi can fail in a few different ways: the switch is off, the network is missing, the password is stale, or the adapter is not being detected. Start with the quick checks before touching drivers or manual network settings. These fixes cover current GNOME-based Ubuntu Desktop releases, including Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and Ubuntu 26.04 LTS.
Turn Wi-Fi On First
Open the system menu from the right side of the top bar. Select the Wi-Fi area, then open Wi-Fi Settings. Turn the Wi-Fi switch on. Make sure Airplane Mode is off on the same screen.
If your laptop has a physical wireless switch or a wireless keyboard shortcut, turn that radio control on too. Try the network again before changing anything else.
Find a Missing Network Name
Use this when Ubuntu opens Wi-Fi normally but your home network does not appear. Move closer to the wireless router or access point, then wait for the list to refresh.
If the network is hidden, open the system menu from the right side of the top bar and select the arrow beside Wi-Fi. Choose All Networks. Open the menu button in the top-right corner and choose Connect to Hidden Network....
Select an existing entry or choose New. Enter the network name, choose the matching Wi-Fi security type, add the password or security details, and select Connect.
Reconnect With the Right Password
Use this when Ubuntu sees the network but will not join it. Open the system menu from the right side of the top bar. Select Wi-Fi, then click your network name.
Enter the password carefully; Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive. If your router provides a hexadecimal or ASCII pass key, try that pass key. When Ubuntu asks for wireless security, choose the router's matching security type.
Forget a Broken Saved Connection
A saved Wi-Fi profile can keep reconnecting with old settings or an outdated password. Open Activities, type Wi-Fi, and open Wi-Fi.
Find the network, click the settings button beside it, then select Forget Connection. Reconnect from the normal Wi-Fi menu and enter the current password. This also helps when Ubuntu keeps joining the wrong network automatically.
Revive Wi-Fi After Suspend
This fixes Wi-Fi that disappears or fails after your computer wakes from suspend. Open Activities. Type Wi-Fi and open Wi-Fi.
Switch the Wi-Fi toggle at the top-right of the window off. Switch Wi-Fi back on and try the network again.
If that does not bring it back, switch Airplane Mode on. Switch Airplane Mode off again. Restart the computer if Wi-Fi still fails after waking.
Check for a Missing Wi-Fi Adapter
If Ubuntu says there is no Wi-Fi adapter, check the hardware before changing connection settings. For an external USB wireless adapter, make sure it is firmly inserted, then try another USB port.
Open Terminal and run nmcli device. Look for a wireless or Wi-Fi device and its state; connected means the adapter is connected to the router.
For a deeper hardware check, run lshw -C network and look for a wireless interface. For internal PCI adapters, run lspci and look for a network controller or Ethernet controller that mentions wireless, WLAN, Wi-Fi, or 802.11.
For USB adapters, run lsusb and look for a wireless or network device. Skip NDISwrapper instructions: Ubuntu removed the ndiswrapper package after Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, so it is not available on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or 26.04 LTS. Use Ubuntu hardware detection and packaged drivers first.
Install Updates and Offered Drivers
Open Software Updater. Install all available updates. Restart when Ubuntu asks you to restart, then test Wi-Fi again.
Open Additional Drivers to see whether Ubuntu offers a restricted or proprietary driver for your wireless device. Choose the recommended driver, select Apply Changes, authenticate, and restart.
On a fresh Ubuntu Desktop 26.04 install, open Terminal and run sudo apt install software-properties-gtk if Additional Drivers is missing. Open Additional Drivers after installing that tool.
For the command-line driver path, run sudo ubuntu-drivers list. Run sudo ubuntu-drivers install when Ubuntu lists a supported driver class. During a fresh Ubuntu installation, select Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware and additional media formats when your Wi-Fi chipset needs proprietary firmware or drivers.
Fix Wi-Fi With No Internet
Use this when Ubuntu connects to the router, but websites and online apps still do not load.
- 1.Check the router or ISP setup through the router manual, web portal, companion app, or your ISP.
- 2.Open Activities, type Settings, then open Settings.
- 3.Go to Wi-Fi and click the settings button next to the active network.
- 4.If your network does not assign settings automatically, and you already have the correct values from your network administrator or router, open the IPv4 or IPv6 tab, set Method to Manual, then enter the IP address, gateway, and netmask your network uses. On a normal home network that assigns settings automatically, leave Method on Automatic and keep working through the router or ISP instead.
- 5.If your network administrator or ISP has given you DNS server addresses to use, turn Automatic off under DNS, add those servers with +, select Apply, and reconnect from the system menu if needed.
Share Wi-Fi on Work or Family PCs
This fixes Wi-Fi that works for one local Ubuntu account but not another. Open Activities. Type Network and open Network.
Select Wi-Fi. Click the settings button for the connection. Open Identity. Check Make available to other users, then select Apply.
For managed desktops, Ubuntu Server, or headless systems, administrators can configure Wi-Fi through Netplan files under /etc/netplan/ and apply the change with sudo netplan apply; home users should normally stay with Settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Ubuntu show No Wi-Fi Adapter Found?
Ubuntu is not seeing a usable wireless device. Reseat a USB Wi-Fi adapter, try another USB port, then check detection with nmcli device, lshw -C network, lspci, or lsusb.
What should I do if Ubuntu connects to Wi-Fi but has no internet?
Check the router or ISP first. If the router is working, review the active Wi-Fi network's IPv4 or IPv6 settings, including IP address, gateway, netmask, DNS, and routes.
Do I need proprietary drivers for Ubuntu Wi-Fi?
Only if your wireless chipset needs one. Check Additional Drivers first; on Ubuntu Desktop 26.04, install software-properties-gtk if the tool is missing. If the correct driver for your adapter exists only in a non-free or binary-only version, it may not be installed by default even when Additional Drivers offers nothing, so check the wireless adapter manufacturer’s website for Linux drivers.
Can reinstalling Ubuntu fix Wi-Fi?
A live USB made from Canonical's Ubuntu Desktop download can test whether Wi-Fi works in a clean session. Back up your data before reinstalling.