Wi-Fi completely disappeared from computer in Windows 10. How to fix?

Calvo Peiro, Nicolas 50 Reputation points
2023-01-24T12:34:13.31+00:00

Hello,

(Apologies in advance if pictures are too big, I'm not sure how to resize them in this platform)

I turned on my laptop and it couldn't detect any Wi-Fi network anymore.

Here is what it looks like:

  • Taskbar connections bar Screenshot Taskbar Connections
  • No "Wi-Fi" option in Network & Internet settings:

Screenshot network settings

Here are the steps I have taken so far in chronological order:

  • Step: I have run different Windows troubleshooters Conclusion: None find anything
  • Step: I have tried to enable IPv6 for Wi-Fi in Network and Sharing Centre -> Change Adapter settings: Conclusion: Didn't work, since in the center to see the networks, Wi-Fi doesn't show up as an option Picture:

Screenshot no IPV6

  • Step: I have tried setting the WLAN AutoConfig to Automatic in the CTRL+R -> services.msc window Conclusion: This was already set to automatic and didn't do anything: Picture:

Screenshot WLAN AutoConfig

  • Step: I have tried using the Network reset option in the settings Conclusion: Didn't seem to change anything
  • Step: I had a VPN which I removed. However, this was a university VPN, which appeared in the connections bar, so not a commercial VPN through an app, just a VPN that was set up through the Windows VPN settings. Conclusion: Didn't seem to change anything

I would really appreciate it if someone could provide a solution on how to fix this issue.

Windows 10
Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
11,902 questions
Windows 10 Network
Windows 10 Network
Windows 10: A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.Network: A group of devices that communicate either wirelessly or via a physical connection.
2,371 questions
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Accepted answer
  1. franco d'esaro 286 Reputation points
    2023-01-26T17:31:46.68+00:00

    Hi Calvo Peiro, Nicolas.

    Sorry for the delay, Go back to Device Manager, right click on the network adapters node, select Scan for hardware changes. See if the WiFi adapter reappears in the list. If it still doesn't appear, click on View> Show hidden devices, see if your WiFi adapter is there, possibly uninstall it and then restart the laptop. Do you know the exact model of your WiFi adapter?

    2 people found this answer helpful.

7 additional answers

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  1. franco d'esaro 286 Reputation points
    2023-01-24T13:43:03.6333333+00:00

    Hi,

    go to Device Manager, expand network adapters, check if the wireless adapter is present, enabled and if it works properly or post a screenshot.

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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  3. Limitless Technology 44,526 Reputation points
    2023-01-25T16:47:59.6833333+00:00

    Hello

    Thank you for your question and reaching out. I can understand you are having query\issues related to WiFi Adapter.

    1. Please try to check from BIOS settings if the WIFI adapter is not disabled and it should be detected.
    2. Uninstall any recent Windows updates.
    3. If this is Laptop then try to On or Off using Fn keys if its Disabled some how.
    4. Update drivers and BIOS firmware from vendo website.

    --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--

    0 comments No comments

  4. windows_user 0 Reputation points
    2024-01-24T08:25:07.21+00:00

    I had this problem. I looked in the device driver by pushing Windows+X and it showed my wifi device driver (Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160 Mhz was having not working. specifically it said "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems (Code 43)".

    So I did a search for the driver from the Intel website and downloaded the Windows 10 - 64 bit driver and ran the installer. That fixed my problem.

    By the way, I previously tried using update driver from the device driver, but that didn't help. Wi-fi troubleshooter didn't help. So don't waste your time and just download and run the driver installer from the Intel website.

    0 comments No comments

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