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How to Fix Wifi Not Working in Windows 10/11

Written by

James Oliver

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It sounds incredibly frustrating when your Wi-Fi stops working on Windows 10 or 11. It’s a common issue, and thankfully, most of the time, it’s something you can fix yourself with a few troubleshooting steps. Having personally wrestled with flaky Wi-Fi connections more times than I can count, I’ve found that a systematic approach usually yields results.

This guide will walk you through various solutions, from the simplest fixes to more in-depth troubleshooting, helping you get back online.

How to Fix Wi-Fi Not Working in Windows 10/11

When your internet connection drops, it can halt everything. Here’s a comprehensive how-to guide to resolve Wi-Fi issues on your Windows 10 or 11 PC.

  1. The Basics: Restart Everything

It might seem too simple, but often, a quick restart is all that’s needed.

  • Restart your PC: Save any open work and restart your Windows computer. This can clear temporary glitches that might be affecting your Wi-Fi adapter.
  • Restart your Router/Modem: Unplug your Wi-Fi router and modem from the power outlet. Wait for about 30 seconds, then plug them back in. Allow a few minutes for them to fully boot up and establish a connection before trying to connect your PC again. This refreshes the network connection.
  1. Check Your Wi-Fi Switch or Airplane Mode

Accidentally toggling a physical switch or enabling Airplane Mode can disconnect your Wi-Fi.

  • Physical Wi-Fi Switch: Some laptops have a physical switch or a function key combination (often Fn + F2, F5, or a key with a Wi-Fi symbol) to turn Wi-Fi on or off. Make sure it’s in the “On” position.
  • Airplane Mode:
    1. Click on the Network icon (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar.
    2. Check the Airplane mode tile. If it’s highlighted, click on it to turn it off. Ensure the Wi-Fi tile is highlighted (meaning it’s on).
  1. Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows has built-in troubleshooters that can often diagnose and fix common network problems.

  1. Go to Settings (Windows key + I).
  2. For Windows 11: Click on System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find Network Adapter and click Run.
  3. For Windows 10: Click on Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. Find Network Adapter and click Run the troubleshooter.
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts. The troubleshooter will attempt to identify and resolve issues.
  1. Forget and Reconnect to Your Wi-Fi Network

Your computer might have stored corrupted network profile data. Forgetting the network and reconnecting can resolve this.

  1. Click on the Network icon in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar.
  2. Click on Wi-Fi.
  3. Click on Manage Wi-Fi connections (or Network & Internet settings on Windows 10).
  4. Find your Wi-Fi network name.
  5. Click on Forget (or Don’t remember on Windows 10).
  6. Now, select your Wi-Fi network again from the list and click Connect.
  7. Enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted.
  1. Update or Reinstall Your Wi-Fi Driver

Outdated or corrupted Wi-Fi drivers are a frequent cause of connection problems.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Network adapters.
  3. Locate your Wi-Fi adapter (it might have “Wireless” or “802.11” in its name).
  4. Update Driver:
    • Right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter and select Update driver.
    • Choose Search automatically for drivers. If Windows finds a newer driver, it will install it.
    • If that doesn’t work, select Browse my computer for drivers, then Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer. Try an older version of the driver if available.
  5. Reinstall Driver:
    • If updating doesn’t work, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Uninstall device.
    • Check the box that says “Attempt to remove the driver software for this device” if available.
    • Click Uninstall.
    • Restart your computer. Windows will usually reinstall a generic driver automatically. After restarting, check if Wi-Fi works. If not, revisit Device Manager and try to update the driver again.
  6. Download from Manufacturer: If automated methods fail, visit your laptop manufacturer’s website (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo) or the Wi-Fi adapter manufacturer’s website (e.g., Intel, Realtek). Search for your specific model and download the latest Wi-Fi driver for your Windows version. Install it manually.
  1. Reset Network Settings

This nuclear option essentially resets all network adapters and components to their original state. It can resolve deep-seated network issues.

  1. Go to Settings (Windows key + I).
  2. For Windows 11: Click on Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
  3. For Windows 10: Click on Network & Internet > Status > scroll down and click Network reset.
  4. Click Reset now and then Yes to confirm.
  5. Your computer will restart. You will need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and enter the password again.
  1. Disable and Re-enable Network Adapter

A quick toggle of the network adapter can sometimes kickstart it.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Network adapters.
  3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Disable device.
  4. Wait a few seconds, then right-click it again and select Enable device.
  1. Check for IP Address Issues

Sometimes, your computer might not be getting a valid IP address.

  • Use Command Prompt to release and renew IP:
    1. Search for CMD in the Start menu, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
    2. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
    3. Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
    4. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter. 5. Close Command Prompt and check your Wi-Fi.
  1. Adjust Power Management Settings

Windows sometimes puts the Wi-Fi adapter to sleep to save power, which can lead to connection drops or failures.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Network adapters.
  3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Properties.
  4. Go to the Power Management tab.
  5. Uncheck the box that says “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
  6. Click OK.
  1. Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall

Sometimes, security software can interfere with network connections.

  • Temporarily disable your third-party antivirus or firewall software to see if it’s the culprit. Remember to re-enable it after testing. If disabling it fixes the problem, you may need to adjust its settings or contact the software vendor.
  1. Update Windows

Ensuring your Windows operating system is up to date can resolve compatibility issues and bugs that might affect Wi-Fi.

  1. Go to Settings (Windows key + I).
  2. For Windows 11: Click on Windows Update.
  3. For Windows 10: Click on Update & Security > Windows Update.
  4. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
  1. Check Router Firmware (Advanced)

Outdated router firmware can cause connectivity issues. This is an advanced step and requires logging into your router’s administration page.

  • Refer to your router’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to check and update its firmware. Be cautious as incorrect firmware updates can brick your router.
  1. Hardware Failure (Last Resort)

If you’ve tried all the above steps and your Wi-Fi still isn’t working, it’s possible there’s a hardware problem with your Wi-Fi adapter.

  • Consider connecting an external USB Wi-Fi adapter to see if that resolves the issue. If it does, your internal Wi-Fi card might be faulty and require replacement.

By systematically going through these troubleshooting steps, you significantly increase your chances of fixing Wi-Fi not working on your Windows 10 or 11 PC. Don’t get discouraged if the first few attempts don’t work; persistence is key in tech troubleshooting.

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