How to Connect When Laptop Not Detecting WiFi

In today’s world, where we rely heavily on technology, losing internet connectivity can be frustrating. It can cause a significant interruption to our work or leisure time. Unfortunately, laptops often have connectivity issues due to things such as hardware issues, outdated drivers, or software glitches.

But don’t worry; in this blog, we will guide you through some simple yet effective solutions to help you connect your laptop to WiFi when it’s not detecting it. Let’s dive in!

Test These Basic Steps Before Trying Any Fixes

Sometimes, the simplest solutions can resolve even the trickiest of issues. Before trying anything else, try these basic steps to see if they help you connect your laptop to WiFi.

• Please confirm if the WiFi is currently enabled. To connect to WiFi, locate the icon labeled “No Internet connection” located on the far right of your taskbar and click on it. If it’s not already activated, select it to turn it on. Furthermore, make sure that your device is not in Airplane mode.
• Disconnect from the network if it already says “Connected” beneath the name, wait a bit, and then reconnect.
• You could try linking up with a network operating on a different frequency band. The two most common network frequency bands used in WiFi routers are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Sometimes the device is not compatible with the frequency band of the network.
• Make sure that the WiFi switch on the laptop is turned on. You can check this by looking for a light that indicates it is working.
• To diagnose and repair common connection issues, simply start the Network Diagnostic Tool and employ the Network Troubleshooter.

Fixes: When You Can’t Detect a WiFi Network

A reliable WiFi connection is crucial, especially if you need to connect to the internet urgently. Let’s explore some common fixes for the issue of not being able to detect a WiFi network. We will provide step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot the problem and restore your WiFi connection.

Fix 1: Run the Internet Connections Troubleshooter

An Internet Connections Troubleshooter is a software tool or a feature built into the Windows operating system that helps diagnose and resolve issues with internet connectivity. It can identify and resolve problems related to the network adapter, router, modem, DNS server, or other network components that may be causing connectivity issues. They are designed to help users with little or no technical expertise to troubleshoot and resolve internet connectivity problems.

To run the Internet Connections Troubleshooter, follow these steps:

1. To troubleshoot, open the Start menu and navigate to Update & Security. From there, select Troubleshoot.
2. Next, please click on “Additional Troubleshooter.”
3. Next, go to “Internet Connections” and select “Run the troubleshooter.”
4. Please follow the instructions that are displayed.

Fix 2: Check WiFi Network Adapter Properties

WiFi Network Adapter Properties are settings that allow you to configure and manage your WiFi network adapter. The properties allow you to configure settings such as the adapter’s network protocol, power management, and driver settings.

Some of the common properties of the WiFi network adapter include:

• Network Protocol: This property allows you to configure the protocols that your adapter uses to communicate with the wireless network.
• Power Management: This property allows you to configure the power settings for the WiFi network adapter. You can choose to optimize the adapter for power savings or performance.
• Driver Settings: This property allows you to configure settings related to the driver for the WiFi network adapter, such as the driver version, manufacturer, and date.
• Advanced Settings: This property allows you to access additional settings that are specific to your WiFi network adapter. These settings may include options related to bandwidth, roaming, and security.

If your laptop’s battery is low and enters Battery Saver mode, Windows 10 will disable some features to conserve energy. If you don’t see any WiFi networks on your laptop while your battery is low, you must check the adapter properties to confirm whether it can operate during Battery Saver mode. To access WiFi Network Adapter Properties, follow these steps:

1. To access the Device Manager, click on the Start button first.
2. Then, expand the list of Network Adapters.
3. To access the WiFi network adapter properties, right-click on it.
4. Go to the “Power Management” tab and uncheck the option to prevent the computer from turning off a device to save power.
5. Please click on the “OK” button to save the changes you have made.
6. Restart the PC.

Fix 3: Enable Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

The DHCP is a network protocol used to automatically assign IP addresses to network devices. It enables host computers to obtain an IP address, subnet mask, and other related information automatically from DHCP servers. DHCP works by utilizing a client/server model, where a DHCP server can dynamically allocate and manage the configuration of all network devices on the network.

If DHCP is disabled on your laptop, it will not be able to detect and connect to WiFi networks. To enable DHCP, you must go to your network adapter’s properties and turn it on.

To enable Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, follow these steps:

1. To access network connections, search for it in the Start menu search bar and select it.
2. To access your WiFi network options, right-click on it.
3. Please choose the “Diagnose” option.
4. Please wait for Windows to complete the process. This will activate DHCP and resolve your network problem.

Fix 4: Set Channel Width to Auto

The WiFi channel width is the amount of frequency that is allocated for a single network connection. The wider the channel width, the more data can be transmitted across the connection. If the channel width is set to Auto, the router will automatically choose the best width for your network connection.

If it is set to a fixed width, the router may not be able to detect and connect to WiFi networks.

To set the channel width to Auto, follow these steps:

1. Open Device Manager from the Search bar
2. To access the WiFi network adapter properties, simply right-click on it.
3. Proceed by clicking on the Advanced tab.
4. Please set the value to “Auto.”
5. Please click on the “OK” button to save the recent changes.

Fix 5: Enable WLAN AutoConfig Service

The WLAN AutoConfig service is a Windows service that allows your laptop to detect and connect to WiFi networks. The service works by scanning for wireless networks and automatically connecting to the best available network.

If the WLAN AutoConfig service is disabled, your laptop will not be able to detect and connect to WiFi networks. To enable the WLAN AutoConfig service, you must go to the Services window in Windows and turn it on.

Fix 6: Change Your Network Name and Password

If the network name and password are not correct, your laptop will not be able to detect and connect to WiFi networks. To change the network name and password, you must log in to your router’s web-based interface and configure the settings.

After changing the network name and password, you must also update the connection settings on your laptop.

Fix 7: Update WiFi Network Driver

If the WiFi network driver is outdated or corrupted, your laptop may not be able to detect and connect to WiFi networks. To update the WiFi network driver, you must visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest version of the driver.

After downloading the driver, you must install it on your laptop and restart the computer.

To update the WiFi network driver, follow these steps:

1. Open Device Manager from the Search bar.
2. To access the WiFi network adapter, simply right-click on it.
3. Right-click on your WiFi adapter and select Update driver.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the network driver.

Conclusion

If your laptop is not detecting WiFi, then there are several methods you can try to fix the issue. These methods include checking network adapter settings, enabling dynamic host configuration protocol, setting channel width to auto, enabling WLAN AutoConfig service, changing your network name and password, and updating the WiFi network driver. Following the steps outlined above should help you resolve the issue.

However, if these methods do not work, then you may need to contact your laptop manufacturer or a qualified technician for further assistance.

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