How to Fix a WiFi Adapter That’s Missing or Not Working on Windows

Working out how to fix WiFi adapter problems on Windows starts with what the screen shows: a WiFi button that’s off, no button at all, an adapter with a yellow warning, or no adapter anywhere. Each points to a different fix, and the free, safe checks come first.

This covers built-in and USB adapters on Windows 10 and 11; phones have their own Android and iPhone WiFi guides.

How to Fix WiFi Adapter Problems: What Your Screen Tells You

The answer to how to fix WiFi adapter trouble depends on the symptom. An Off button is a setting, a missing button usually means Windows can’t use the adapter, and a warning icon carries an error code.

Airplane Mode, the WiFi Key and a Real Restart

Select the network icon on the taskbar (Win + A on Windows 11) and check that Wi-Fi is on and Airplane mode is off (also in Settings > Network & internet > Airplane mode). Both are the first general steps on Microsoft’s WiFi troubleshooting page for Windows 10 and 11.

On a laptop, also look for a wireless switch or a key with an antenna or airplane icon, often on the F-row and sometimes pressed with Fn.

Restart, don’t shut down

Fast Startup (on by default since Windows 8) makes Shut down save the loaded kernel drivers and restore them at boot, so a stuck WiFi driver survives it. Start > Power > Restart loads them fresh.

Still missing? Shut down, unplug the charger, dock and USB devices, hold the power button for 15 to 30 seconds, then start up and Restart. When you’re working out how to fix WiFi adapter faults, do this free step early: it can clear a card stuck in a bad power state.

Find the Adapter in Device Manager

Right-click Start, choose Device Manager and expand Network adapters; the WiFi adapter’s name usually includes Wireless, Wi-Fi, WLAN or 802.11. Its icon shows how to fix WiFi adapter issues from here:

• Down arrow. It’s disabled: right-click it and choose Enable device.
• Yellow warning. A device error; read its code.
• Not listed. Windows may not be detecting it. Choose View > Show hidden devices, then Action > Scan for hardware changes.

A grayed-out entry means Windows remembers the card but can’t see it: it may be off in firmware, powered down or failed. Try the power drain and BIOS checks before reinstalling drivers.

No WiFi button, but the adapter looks fine?

Here’s how to fix WiFi adapter trouble caused by a stopped service: open services.msc (Win + R), right-click WLAN AutoConfig and choose Restart, or Start if it’s stopped. If Start is grayed out, open Properties, set Startup type to Automatic, select Apply, then Start.

What Code 10, Code 43 and Other Device Manager Errors Mean

Double-click the adapter and read Device status on the General tab. That code tells you how to fix WiFi adapter errors, and Microsoft’s list of Device Manager error codes gives each its own next step:

If Code 43 survives a clean reinstall and a power drain, see the hardware checks.

How to Fix WiFi Adapter Drivers: Back Up, Roll Back, Reinstall

If WiFi vanished right after an update, suspect the driver. Knowing how to fix WiFi adapter drivers safely comes down to order: save a working driver first, or a reinstall can leave you offline.

WiFi Off in the BIOS, or WiFi and Bluetooth Gone Together

Check the firmware switch

Firmware can switch WiFi off below Windows, so checking setup is how to fix WiFi adapter problems that no driver touches. Many PCs have a WLAN or wireless enable option there (names vary); check it after any BIOS update or reset.

Why WiFi and Bluetooth fail together

Many laptops put both on one combo card, such as Intel’s AX211. That tells you how to fix WiFi adapter faults that take Bluetooth down too: look for one cause, not two.

Do the power drain and firmware check, then reinstall both drivers from the PC maker’s support page. If both radios are missing everywhere, including a BIOS that normally lists the card, the card or its slot has likely failed.

USB WiFi Adapter Not Working, and When the Card Is Dead

For a USB dongle, here’s how to fix WiFi adapter detection: port first, then driver. Reseat it and try another port on the PC itself, not a hub.

A USB 3.0 dongle needs a USB 3.0 port (often blue or marked SS); USB 2.0 caps at 480 Mbps. On a tower, a front port or short extension cable beats the rear panel, and the cable moves the dongle away from other USB 3.0 ports and drives, which can interfere on 2.4 GHz. If Windows Update swapped the driver, reinstalling the adapter maker’s version is how to fix WiFi adapter trouble that began with the update.

Signs the internal card has failed

Run your PC maker’s diagnostics if they test wireless (many HP PCs: Esc, then F2 at power-on; Dell: F12, then Diagnostics). The card is likely dead if the diagnostics fail it, it’s gone from a BIOS that normally lists it, or Code 43 survives a clean reinstall. Then your warranty decides how to fix WiFi adapter hardware.

Quick Answers About Missing WiFi Adapters

Why did my WiFi adapter disappear from Device Manager?

Usually it’s hidden, off in the BIOS, stuck after sleep or Fast Startup, broken by a driver update, or dead. Check hidden devices and drain power before touching the driver.

How do I fix a WiFi adapter driver when the PC has no internet?

Use Ethernet, USB tethering from an Android phone, or the maker’s driver on a USB stick. That’s how to fix WiFi adapter drivers offline; without a backup, leave the remove-driver box unticked when uninstalling.

Why is my laptop WiFi not turning on?

Here’s how to fix WiFi adapter problems on a laptop, in order: the wireless key or switch and Airplane mode, a Restart, then Device Manager and the BIOS. If Bluetooth died too, see the shared card checks.