How to Fix Wi-Fi Not Working on Windows 11 (2025 Guide)

Introduction

Struggling with Wi-Fi not working on your Windows 11 PC? You’re not alone. From connectivity drops to missing Wi-Fi options altogether, wireless network issues are among the most frustrating problems users face. Whether you’re working from home, gaming, streaming, or just browsing the web, a stable internet connection is essential.

This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step solutions to fix Wi-Fi not working on Windows 11. Whether your Wi-Fi icon is missing, you’re seeing “No internet, secured,” or you’re unable to detect available networks, we’ll walk you through tested fixes that actually work.

Why It Matters

Wi-Fi issues on Windows 11 can be caused by a variety of factors, including outdated drivers, power settings, misconfigured network settings, or even corrupted system files. Ignoring the problem can affect productivity, prevent important updates, and disrupt cloud-based services. Solving these issues ensures smooth connectivity and optimal system performance.

Common Symptoms of Wi-Fi Not Working on Windows 11

Before diving into the fixes, identify which of the following symptoms apply:

• No Wi-Fi option in Settings or taskbar
• “No internet, secured” message
• Can’t connect to any Wi-Fi network
• Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting
• Connected to Wi-Fi, but no internet access
• Unable to find Wi-Fi networks
• Wi-Fi greyed out or missing entirely

Fix 1: Restart Your Computer and Router

Why It Works:

This might sound simple, but it clears temporary glitches in both Windows and your router’s firmware.

Steps:

1. Shut down your computer.
2. Unplug your router and modem.
3. Wait 30 seconds.
4. Plug your router/modem back in.
5. Power on your PC and check Wi-Fi status.

Tip: Restart both devices once in a while to avoid persistent issues.

Fix 2: Enable Wi-Fi Adapter

Why It Works:

Your wireless adapter might be disabled in Windows 11 settings.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings.
3. Under Network adapters, find Wi-Fi.
4. If it says “Disabled,” click Enable.

Optional: Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings to enable Wi-Fi manually.

Fix 3: Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Why It Works:

The built-in troubleshooter scans and fixes basic network problems automatically.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I.
2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
3. Scroll to Network Adapter.
4. Click Run and follow the prompts.

Fix 4: Reset Your Network Settings

Why It Works:

This restores default settings, removes VPNs, clears DNS, and resets Wi-Fi drivers.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I.
2. Go to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings.
3. Scroll down to Network reset.
4. Click Reset now, then restart your PC.

⚠️ Note: This will remove all saved networks and passwords.

Fix 5: Update Wi-Fi Driver via Device Manager

Why It Works:

Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common cause of network issues.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + X > Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click your wireless adapter (e.g., Intel Dual Band Wireless).
4. Select Update driver > Search automatically.
5. Restart your computer after the update.

Fix 6: Reinstall the Wi-Fi Driver

Why It Works:

Sometimes you need to uninstall and reinstall a fresh version of the driver.

Steps:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter > Uninstall device.
4. Restart your PC. Windows will reinstall it automatically.

Alternative: Visit your laptop manufacturer’s website (Dell, HP, ASUS, etc.) and manually download the latest Wi-Fi driver.

Fix 7: Check Airplane Mode and Wi-Fi Switches

Why It Works:

Airplane Mode disables all wireless communications, including Wi-Fi.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + A to open Quick Settings.
2. Ensure Airplane Mode is off.
3. Ensure Wi-Fi is turned on.

Bonus Tip: Some laptops have physical Wi-Fi toggles—make sure it’s turned on.

Fix 8: Turn Off Power Saving for Wi-Fi Adapter

Why It Works:

Windows may disable the Wi-Fi adapter to save battery, especially on laptops.

Steps:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter > Properties.
4. Go to the Power Management tab.
5. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

Fix 9: Change DNS Settings to Google DNS

Why It Works:

Faulty DNS can prevent loading websites even if Wi-Fi appears connected.

Steps:

1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click on Change adapter settings.
3. Right-click Wi-Fi > Properties.
4. Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
5. Select Use the following DNS server addresses:
   • Preferred: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate: 8.8.4.4
6. Click OK and restart your browser.

Fix 10: Use Command Prompt to Reset TCP/IP Stack

Why It Works:

Advanced network problems often require manual TCP/IP stack reset.

Steps:

1. Type cmd in Windows Search.
2. Right-click Command Prompt > Run as administrator.
3. Enter the following commands one at a time:

   netsh winsock reset
   netsh int ip reset
   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew
   ipconfig /flushdns
   

4. Restart your computer.

Fix 11: Enable Required Services

Why It Works:

If essential Windows services are disabled, Wi-Fi won’t work.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Make sure the following services are Running and set to Automatic:
   • WLAN AutoConfig
   • Network Connections
   • Network List Service
3. Right-click any that aren’t running and click Start.

Fix 12: Disable VPN or Proxy Temporarily

Why It Works:

VPNs and proxy settings can interfere with your actual internet connection.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I.
2. Go to Network & Internet > VPN.
3. Disable any active VPN connections.
4. Go to Proxy and turn off all proxy settings.

Fix 13: Check for Windows Updates

Why It Works:

Microsoft regularly fixes Wi-Fi bugs through cumulative updates.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + I.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Install any available updates and restart your PC.

Fix 14: Roll Back a Recent Driver Update

Why It Works:

Sometimes new drivers can cause instability.

Steps:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter > Properties.
4. Go to the Driver tab > Click Roll Back Driver (if available).

Fix 15: Use System Restore

Why It Works:

If Wi-Fi worked fine previously, restore your system to a point before the problem started.

Steps:

1. Type “Create a restore point” in Windows Search.
2. Click System Restore.
3. Select a restore point before Wi-Fi stopped working.
4. Follow the wizard to complete the process.

Fix 16: Check Router Settings

Why It Works:

The issue might not be on your PC. It could be your router’s settings or firmware.

Steps:

1. Log into your router’s admin page (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Check for firmware updates.
3. Reset router settings to factory default if needed.
4. Make sure MAC address filtering or device bans aren’t enabled.

Preventing Future Wi-Fi Issues

• Always keep drivers and Windows up to date.
• Restart your router regularly.
• Use quality antivirus and avoid shady apps that may corrupt network settings.
• Create regular restore points.
• Back up network settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Wi-Fi not showing up in Windows 11?

It may be due to disabled adapter, missing drivers, or a hardware failure. Try enabling Wi-Fi via Network settings and updating your driver.

Why is Windows 11 saying “No internet, secured”?

This usually indicates a DNS issue or IP configuration error. Use the Command Prompt reset method or switch DNS to Google’s servers.

Can a virus cause Wi-Fi to stop working?

Yes. Malware can corrupt or disable network settings. Run a full antivirus scan if you suspect infection.

Should I reset my router if Wi-Fi isn’t working?

If multiple devices are affected, yes. But first, try connecting another device to confirm if the issue is specific to your PC.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with Wi-Fi not working on Windows 11 can be incredibly frustrating, but you don’t need to be a tech expert to solve it. From enabling adapters to resetting network stacks, this guide provides clear, actionable solutions that fix almost every common Wi-Fi issue.

Start with simple fixes like restarting devices or running the troubleshooter, then move on to more advanced solutions if needed. Most importantly, stay updated and back up your settings regularly to prevent future problems.