Sometimes the option to connect to Wi-Fi networks doesn’t appear on your system. Luckily, there are steps you can take when your Windows 11 PC doesn’t detect nearby wireless networks. If you’re experiencing such a problem, this guide will show what you can do to find Wi-Fi networks on Windows 11 when they don’t show up.
Basic Ways to Fix Wi-Fi Not Showing Up on Windows 11
Before delving too deep into the troubleshooting rabbit hole, it’s important to note some basic and easy ways to resolve the problem. If you haven’t rebooted your PC in a while, an easy fix is to restart Windows 11. This step clears system temp files and app cache and restarts any network device drivers that could conflict with the proper network detection. If that doesn’t work, restart your router. How you reboot a router varies between devices, but you’ll often find a reset or power button you can press. Of course, you can always power cycle it by unplugging the power cord for 10-15 seconds and plugging it back in.
If you are unsure how to reboot your router properly, check the manufacturer’s website support documentation.
Disable Airplane Mode on Windows 11
When Airplane mode is enabled on your laptop, Windows turns off radio devices—including the Wi-Fi adapter. You must turn it off to regain Wi-Fi connectivity if it’s enabled. Also, restarting Airplane mode is a perfect way to restart your network’s connections. To disable Airplane mode on Windows 11:
Check Wi-Fi Connectivity
Another simple step is to ensure Wi-Fi is enabled and verify whether the network shows up. To check if Wi-Fi is enabled:
Re-enable Wi-Fi Adapter
The Wi-Fi adapter is essential for your computer to connect to a network. But if you are having problems with nearby Wi-Fi networks not showing up, you can disable and re-enable it. To re-enable the Wi-Fi adapter: Once you complete the steps, check if your nearby wireless networks are showing up so you can connect.
Reset All Network Adapters
Another option is to use advanced network settings to reset all network adapters. To reset network adapters: Windows will restart your system and reset all network adapters to default settings. Note that if you have assigned specific configurations like VPN, proxy server, or DNS settings, you’ll need to reconfigure them.
Check the WLAN AutoConfig Service
The WLAN AutoConfig service allows Windows 11 to discover and connect to Wi-Fi networks. However, you can configure it to run during startup if it’s having problems or isn’t running. To check the WLAN AutoConfig service on Windows 11:
Update or Reinstall Your Network Driver
If the Reset Network Adapters option doesn’t work, you can manually update or reinstall the adapter drivers to fix Wi-Fi not showing up on Windows 11. To manage network drivers on Windows 11:
Fixing Wi-Fi Problems on Windows 11
Wi-Fi is essential for computing, and it can be frustrating if it’s not working. However, you can fix Wi-Fi not showing on Windows 11 using the above steps. Using the basic steps will typically fix the problem, but you can use more in-depth steps to correct the problem. If you are experiencing other connectivity issues, you can generate a Wi-Fi report on Windows 11 to narrow down problems. If you need to connect a PC to a network, you might need to find the Wi-Fi password to connect. Also, if you are no longer using an adapter, you can delete the network adapter so it’s out of the way. And if you connect to multiple networks, over time, they pile up. So, check out how to forget a Wi-fi network on Windows 11. Comment Name * Email *
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