The computer does not find wifi. The laptop does not see the WiFi network: what to do? Why doesn't the laptop see wifi, but other devices see the router?

Wi-Fi technology is very widely used in the life of a modern person, as it allows you to easily and quickly solve the problem of connecting to the Internet without using conventional wires. This is especially true when using laptops, which can be used to access the Internet in any convenient place thanks to the presence of a built-in Wi-Fi adapter.

That is why the situation when Wi-Fi does not work on a laptop leads to significant inconvenience and even some problems. There are many reasons why Wi-Fi may not work on a laptop computer. It is simply unrealistic to solve the most serious of them on your own without the help of specialists, but there are quite a lot of them that can be eliminated on your own. Let's look at them.

Is the problem with your laptop or router?

A fairly common problem is that the laptop has stopped connecting to WiFi networks, the problem is not with the laptop itself, but with the settings of the router, which distributes the network. Thus, the laptop can be configured correctly, but Wi-Fi still does not turn on precisely because it has nothing to connect to.

To rule out the possibility that the problem is related to this, you should try to connect to the network from any other device that is equipped with a Wi-Fi adapter - from another laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc.


If Wi-Fi does not work from another gadget, then the problem lies in the Wi-Fi router distributing the Internet. If the connection is successful, the problem is in the laptop and before solving it, you first need to determine why Wi-Fi stopped working.

Hardware enable adapter

Based on such diagnostics, it is possible to accurately determine that this problem arose precisely because of the laptop. When Wi-Fi does not work on it, you can try using several methods.

The first one is to check if the wireless adapter on your laptop is enabled. Almost all modern models have indicator lights operation of the WiFi module and for its hardware activation there are special key combinations.


Typically, a lit indicator indicates that the module is turned on. If the indicator does not light up at all or lights up in red, then Wi-Fi is not working precisely because of the wireless network adapter. It must be turned on.

Most often, such indicators are located directly on the keyboard, side or front panel of the device case. Sometimes they are located on the monitor body or near the touchpad.


To enable the module of such a network, press the key combination Fn and one of the system keys F1-F12. The specific combination depends on the laptop manufacturer. Usually, the corresponding antenna icon is located on the desired key. If it is not there, then to turn on Wi-Fi you should try pressing the standard combination for a particular model:
Fn+F3 for Acer;
Fn+F2 for Asus, Dell or Gigabyte;
Fn+F5 on Fujitsu devices;
Fn+F12 on HP laptops.

After pressing the corresponding keys, we check whether the wireless connection module operation indicator lights up or whether it stops glowing red. After this, you should try to connect to the network again. If this does not help, move on to the next step.

Software enablement

When Wi-Fi stops working and turning it on in hardware doesn’t work positive results, you also need to enable it programmatically, which is done directly from the operating system under which the laptop runs.

To programmatically enable WiFi that has stopped working on Windows 7, 8 or 10, you need to perform the following sequence of actions:

1. On the notification panel, which is located near the clock, select the network connection status icon;

2. From the list that opens, select “Network and Sharing Center” shared access"or "Network settings" depending on the version of the operating system;

3. The next step is “Changing adapter parameters.”


Among the list of all existing connections, you need to pay attention to the color of the “Wireless Network Connection” icon. If your WiFi does not work and the wireless adapter is disabled, the connection icon will not be highlighted. In this case, right-click on its icon and select “Enable” from the context menu that opens. The color of the connection icon should change.


In this case, the wireless network adapter turns on, all you have to do is find the one you need in the list of available wireless networks and connect to it.

If, after such actions, Wi-Fi, which has stopped working, continues to be inactive, you need to move on to the next method of solving the problem.

Driver installation and update

Quite often, the wireless Wi-Fi connection does not turn on due to the lack of a driver or when it is very outdated. To determine availability installed driver, you need to select “Properties” from the context menu of the “My Computer” icon, which is located on the desktop or in the “Start” menu. Next, in the window that opens, select the “Device Manager” command from the menu on the left.

In the new window that opens with a list of connected devices, you need to find the name of the laptop’s wireless network adapter. Usually its name is “Wireless Network Adapter” or “Wireless Network Adapter”, along with which the device manufacturer should be indicated: Realtek, Atheros, Qualcomm or something else.


Having found the desired item and right-clicking on it, select “Properties” from the context menu. In the window that opens, there should be an item “Device is working normally.” But even if there is a mark indicating the normal operation of the device, this is far from a guarantee that the correct driver version is installed and Wi-Fi is turned on correctly. To check it, in the properties window wireless device go to the “Driver” tab and pay attention to the “Development date” and “Supplier” items.

In the event that the supplier is Microsoft or the date of development of the program is several years behind the current one, go to the official website of the laptop manufacturer and download the latest official version drivers.

The same should be done if there is no wireless adapter among the list of installed devices.

If the wireless communication module is present in the list of devices, but is marked with a yellow exclamation mark, this means that the device is disabled, as a result of which the network has stopped working. In this case, opening the device properties window, you need to click the “Engage” button.


Another reason why Wi-Fi stopped working on a laptop may be that the energy-saving mode is enabled, which prevents the wireless connection from working. To disable it, you need to do the following:
1. Open Control Panel;
2. Select the “Power Options” icon;




3. In the window that opens, select the “High Performance” or “Balanced” mode.



External obstacles to the signal

It is also worth noting that the non-working wireless network may also be the result of more than just problems with the laptop. The wireless signal is affected by some external factors that may weaken it. Ceilings, walls, floors and similar obstacles significantly degrade the signal quality of the access point and laptop.


As you know, the signal quality on a personal computer is displayed in the form of several marks - the more of them, the higher the quality of the signal. If the wireless connection level is displayed as 1 or 2 marks, then you don’t have to try to use WiFi - in this case it will not work properly.

In this case, you need to move the router closer to your workplace, move workplace closer to Wi-Fi router or buy a new, more powerful router.

Other causes of Wi-Fi problems

The causes of problems with the functioning of the wireless network adapter described above are the most common and you can fix them on your own.

It is worth noting that all of these are software solutions to the problem, which can be solved by installing, reinstalling or updating the device driver, as well as performing some operations with the OS.

But often the problem with the operation of the wireless connection module lies in hardware errors. What are these errors? These are problems that are directly related to the board itself, most often due to its physical damage.

To fix such problems, you will need to disassemble the laptop. It is worth noting that such actions can only be performed if you have certain skills in this area. If such skills are missing, it is better to entrust the work to professionals.


One of the most common physical damages is an unconnected antenna wire to the proximity module. This problem occurs with laptops that have been repaired or if their owner independently cleaned the cooling system from dust. In such cases, the antenna is sometimes simply forgotten, as a result of which the adapter will not be able to establish a connection even near the signal source. To fix this problem, you just need to connect its antenna to the Wi-Fi module.

Sometimes the reason that Wi-Fi stops working is simple overheating network card. Most often this is the result of the laptop being placed on some kind of soft surface. The thing is that at the bottom of the device there are holes through which cold air enters, cooling all the computer boards. By blocking these holes, the system will overheat, which can lead to failure of certain components.

Another common cause of device overheating is dust, which can prevent cold air from entering the cooling system.


That is why, in order to avoid such problems, it is recommended to clean the laptop from dust at least once every year: in this case, it will be possible to avoid repairing the laptop as a result of overheating of its components.

In the most extreme cases, the wireless adapter may even burn out. In this case, only replacing it with a new one will help. You can determine this problem using the device manager, in which the module will simply no longer be displayed. When you try to install a driver for a wireless network, a message appears stating that the corresponding device is not installed on the system.

If all else fails

If none of the tips above helped, you can use a simple, but often effective solution: restart both the computer and wireless router. Please note that after a reboot, the router turns on for up to 5-10 minutes before it starts distributing the network. Be patient. Also, despite the opinion of many skeptics, sometimes the problem diagnostic function, which is available in the operating room, helps solve problems with the wireless network Windows system.

Thus, most of the existing solutions to problems related to the fact that Wi-Fi has stopped working on a laptop have been listed above. Almost all such methods and recommendations can be used by anyone who is faced with a similar problem, since this does not require any special skills.
If nothing helps, and the wireless network has not started working, there is only one way out - go for help to a quality service center, where they can solve any problems with your laptop.

If the article did not help solve your problem and Wi-Fi still does not work, write in the comments, I will try to help.

The laptop does not see wifi, what should I do?

In this article we want to tell you why the laptop does not see Wi-Fi and how to quickly restore access to the Internet yourself. If you encounter a one-time error in WiFi operation, you cannot set up a wireless connection on a new computer, or no router is displayed in the list of available connections, this article will help you quickly get rid of the problem and restore a stable Internet connection.

Possible reasons

In building wireless connection On a computer or laptop, several system components are involved:

  • Network adapter. This element is present in all computers and is responsible for processing and sending any data over a local or global network. Also, the adapter processes all signals from the Wi-Fi router. If a component does not work, in most cases, this is the reason why the laptop does not connect to the Internet;
  • Hardware Drivers– this is a set of utilities that ensure correct interaction between the hardware and software parts of a network connection;
  • Router(another name is a router) is the device itself that creates a wireless connection network through a cable or modem from the provider.

It is enough for at least one of the above components to fail, and you will no longer be able to connect to the Internet or will experience frequent connection interruptions.

There are cases when the laptop produces a normal one-time failure and it is enough to reboot it to correct the error.

There can be many reasons for a WiFi connection to fail. These may include the following:

1 The router freezes or breaks down;

2 The wireless network adapter has failed;

3 Outdated drivers or they are not installed at all in the OS;

4 Operation of anti-virus software;

5 Temporary technical failure on the provider's side.

Note that the problem of connecting to the global network may be expressed in the fact that the laptop does not see only one router or does not recognize any access points at all (at the same time, you are sure that other gadgets detect routers within a given radius).

Below is detailed instructions with step-by-step steps to resolve each type of problem.

Turn on the WiFi module on the laptop

Often the reason why a laptop does not see available connections is its incorrect setting. To get started, check the following settings:

  • Laptop location. The device must be within sight of the router. As a rule, standard routers are capable of transmitting a signal within a radius of 50 meters. Please note that brick walls and other massive barriers can reduce the radius WiFi signal networks by 30%-35%;
  • Other gadgets connect to access points without problems? If your smartphone or tablet also does not connect to Wi-Fi, the problem lies in the operation of the router. The computer does not see the network, but the phone does? Then you should check the operation of the component drivers and configure the router;
  • Wireless discovery mode must be enabled. To do this, move the pointer to the WiFi icon on the taskbar and click on it. If you see the following “Wireless Network Disabled” window, it means that network discovery is temporarily inactive on your computer.

To activate it, click on the indicated tile with the antenna icon:

Fig. 1 - turning on the wireless network

A window of available wireless networks will appear in which you can select the required router. Now the laptop sees the network:

Fig.2. Result of wireless connection activation

Enabling the network adapter does not always help solve the problem; if this hardware component is not functioning correctly, you will not be able to enable the wireless connection. What and how to do, read below.

You can also activate the wireless connection using the keyboard. To do this, simultaneously hold down the Fn + F2 key. Depending on the laptop model, the F8, F10, F12 keys may also be responsible for turning on the network.

For your information: In some laptop models, the WiFi module can be turned on using a switch located on the side of the gadget.

Fig.3. Activating the wireless connection on the keyboard

On HP Pavilion laptops, you can control the wireless connection using the F12 key, which has a built-in indicator light. If this indicator is highlighted in red, Wi-Fi will not work. Press Fn + F12 to activate it. As a result, it will be highlighted in white.

Fig.4. Turn on the wireless light on your HP keyboard

Checking the functionality of the equipment

The laptop sees the network, but does not connect to the Internet? This means that the problem lies in the operation of the network equipment. First you need to check that the equipment is installed and working properly.

To programmatically fix the network card, you need to launch the Windows 10 Device Manager. Open the Device Manager by right-clicking on “Start”:

Fig.5. Opening Device Manager

A list of all hardware components connected to the PC will appear in a new window. Open section « Network adapters» and select the item labeled “Network Adapter” (it may have different full names, it all depends on the laptop model and the type of network card).

1 Right-click on the object.

2 Select Enable to activate the device if the equipment is turned off. If there are problems with the equipment, the system will prompt you to run the diagnostic tool.

Fig.6. Enabling the adapter in Device Manager

3 Double-click on the object to get to the equipment properties, and check the operation status in the “Device Status” column. The figure below shows appearance properties window after turning on (the system determines that the driver is installed correctly for the Network Adapter).

Fig.7. Checking the operation of the network adapter

Checking the operation of the router

The first and most common reason why a laptop does not see WiFi is a one-time failure in its operation or a switched off router. When the router is turned on, the indicators are always blinking.

It is common for network equipment to freeze or malfunction, just like any equipment. The solution to the problem may be a simple reboot of the router.

If you were able to establish a connection with the router, but the connection says “No connection,” we recommend rebooting the router. To do this, first press the “Power” key (located on the back panel of the modem).

Then unplug the device and wait a few minutes. After waiting a few minutes, plug the router into a power outlet and press the power button.

Fig.8. Enabling/disabling the router

Now re-check the list of available networks on your laptop. The desired network should appear in the list of objects. Following these simple steps will solve the problem in most cases.

Installing and updating drivers

If you recently installed or reinstalled Windows, the problem may be that the required drivers are missing. Let's consider what to do if the laptop does not see Wi-Fi, but other gadgets connect to the router without problems.

Please note operating system never shows information that there is a driver error or it is not installed. The user can only independently see such a picture in the “Device Manager”, opposite the component may appear Exclamation point, indicating a problem.

Fig.9. Device operation error in task manager

To install or update WiFi adapter drivers, follow these steps:

1 Go to Device Manager.

2 Right-click on the section "Network adapters" and select "Update hardware configuration".

Fig. 10. Automatic update hardware drivers

3 To install drivers manually, go to "Network adapters" and find Network Adapter in the equipment name, right-click, then select "Update driver".

Fig. 11. Updating the Wireless Driver

4 In the opened Windows Assistant, you need to choose how to install or update drivers.

Automatic search— Windows will independently search and install the necessary software for the equipment.

Perform a search on this computer— choose this method if you already have downloaded drivers for network equipment that you need to specify.

Fig. 12. Built-in Assistant window

If automatic search drivers will not bring results, then you can update the drivers by downloading them from the official website of the laptop manufacturer. For example, for owners of devices from Hewlett Packard, just go to the official website hp.com and go to the “Support” section - "Programs and Drivers".

On all official websites of laptop manufacturers, there is a section with drivers and programs for any model, bit depth and OS, just enter the name or select from the list, it depends on the search for the necessary components. The method is described in the article for the HP Pavilion laptop, but it is not much different from other laptops.

Another way to download drivers is to use the DriverPack Solution utility. With its help, you can automatically install drivers for all connected devices:

Fig. 14. Utility window DriverPack Solution

After the driver installation is complete, turn on WiFi and check if the laptop finds the network.

Setting up the router

Often users encounter a problem from the category “the laptop does not see my wifi network, but others do.” In this case, you should configure the router, since its parameters may not be compatible with the laptop, and this happens.

In addition to a short-term malfunction of the Wi-Fi router, the reason why the laptop does not see the network may be incorrect configuration of the router or incompatibility of some of its parameters with your PC. This is why the computer does not see a specific access point.

To configure the router, you should use another laptop or smartphone that connects to the access point without any problems.

Follow the instructions to check your router settings:

1 Connect the router to another device that “sees” it;

2 Now go to the browser (it doesn’t matter whether you are working from a phone, tablet or other laptop - all settings fields and methods for changing parameters will be the same for your router);

3 In the address bar, enter the local host address - “192.168.1.1” (or “192.168.0.1”, enter the address without quotes). As a result of entering correct address The authorization window in the settings will appear.

Standard values: login– admin and password— admin. If this combination does not work, look at the bottom cover of the router itself - it shows the login information for the configuration window;

Fig. 15. Bottom cover of the router

Fig. 16. Login to router settings

Next, the router configuration window will open. Please note that its interface differs depending on the device model, firmware version or production region. The first parameter that we need to find and configure for compatibility between the router and the computer that does not see it is encryption type.

4 Go to the tab "Wireless mode" and in the “Protection” field, select the simplest type of data encryption – WEP. This will make it easier for the computer to access the network. Standard WEP is sufficient for home use with a very low chance of an attacker hacking your network;

Note! In the settings of each router it is also possible to completely disable access point protection. You SHOULD NOT disable the encryption type, as this will lead to the consumption of your traffic by other people, a decrease in connection speed and a significant increase in the amount of payment for the Internet.

Moreover, a law has been passed to protect each wireless connection with a password for access.

Fig. 17. Setting up router encryption

The next parameter is the access password. We recommend checking that you are entering the correct code word when trying WiFi connections router on a laptop. To view and change your password, go to the tab again "Wireless mode"— “Protection” and in the “Key” field, check the code word (connection password);

Fig. 18. Checking/changing the router access password

Also, the laptop may not see Wi-Fi due to a discrepancy in the number of supported communication channels on the computer and the router. Try selecting different values ​​for this configuration in the router settings and, after applying each of them, connect to the network again.

Go to the window "Wireless mode"- "Settings" . Select the number of channels. To begin with, it is recommended to try connecting the value “Auto”, if it does not work, set the value manually, selecting the appropriate option. Such WiFi setup will help solve all problems associated with the incorrect operation of the router.

Fig. 19. Selecting the number of communication channels

Conclusion

Now you know what to do if WiFi on your laptop does not work. You can solve problems and errors of a non-working Wi-Fi network by step-by-step checking the functionality of all network components and their correct configuration.

First, you should check simple reasons: whether the router is turned on or not frozen, whether the drivers are installed/updated, look at the correct password in its settings. To configure compatibility between your laptop and router, change the encryption type or the number of communication channels used.

If the laptop does not connect to any wireless networks, activate the connection setup window or fix errors in the network adapter.

Thematic videos:

Unfortunately, many of us have encountered a problem when the laptop stops finding a wireless network, which creates significant inconvenience. Considering that the laptop can be used outside the home, the user may be left without the Internet at all. There can be many reasons for this little pleasant moment. But, as a rule, the problem is technical, or in the incorrect operation of the software. To understand how to deal with the problem, let's look at it in more detail.

In order to understand the causes of the problem and understand why the laptop does not find WiFi router or home WiFi network, you need to know what WiFi is and understand how this system wireless communication is arranged.

WiFi is the same the local network, only without the need for cable installation. Connection to the network occurs through a signal that is transmitted via radio waves. This system gained popularity not so long ago. A dozen years ago, no one knew about it, and the signal distance was much shorter. To be precise, the signal can be sent over a distance of 100 km.

In addition, WiFi is a registered brand that is developing very actively. In 2014, data transfer speeds via WiFi should increase to several Gbit/s.

To put it simply, this method of connecting to the network is now very popular. Almost every laptop has a built-in sensor that allows you to use a wireless network. At bus stops, in cafes or any other public places, owners install free access points, which increases the level of comfort of the establishment or public place.

The main reasons for the lack of WiFi

As mentioned above, the main reasons can be divided into technical and software. In the case of technical ones, the owner of a laptop will most likely have to contact a service center and spend money on repairing it. At best, figure out the reason for the poor performance of the router.

Availability of WiFi on laptop and router

It’s worth starting with the very basics, which can be forgotten due to haste or inattention.

You need to make sure that receiving antenna is in the on state. If the WiFi button does not work, then the problem is obvious. Not all laptop models have this switch, but some do have it. Most often it looks not like a button, but like a latch. However, it depends on the manufacturer. The switch may have a signature or image of an antenna, which indicates WiFi.

If there is no such button on your laptop model, then you need to pay attention to bottom panel operating system, on the icon next to the time. The image should show whether the wireless connection is currently active.

It is possible that this icon on the panel next to the time is not there.

To check activity without using this icon, you need to:


Checking available networks

The next thing to do is check the available networks. Perhaps the router simply does not reach the laptop’s antenna and for this reason it is impossible to connect to the network.

To do this you need:

  1. Click on the network icon in the lower right corner, on the bottom panel, next to the time.
  2. Select “Connect to a network” and select desired point access. Most likely, there will be more than one access point, since you can see neighbors or some other routers. But, in most cases, a password is placed on the access point, thus protecting it from unauthorized users.

Video: What to do if your ASUS laptop cannot find Wi-Fi

The laptop does not see the WiFi network: the main reasons

Why doesn't my laptop see the WiFi network? Perhaps the solution to the problem is right in front of you and only takes five seconds of your time. But there are also more severe cases. Let's look at the most common options.

Router

It is worth making sure that the router is turned on. Its operation can be easily determined by indicator lights. After connecting, look at the corresponding icons in the instructions for the router and determine whether the wireless connection is active.

If the router does not respond at all, then the problem is purely technical. In this situation, you should look for a problem in the wires, power supply, or take the router for repair. As a rule, it is easier to replace the router with a new one than to send it to service centers for inspection.

Drivers

As you know, any equipment requires software that guarantees stable operation. If the laptop does not detect WiFi, then you should check the drivers. Even if they are installed, it is recommended to update them.

You can check drivers through the control panel. In the “device manager” section there is a line “network adapters”, which should contain the name of the router if the problem is with the drivers. Right-click on it and look at the driver version. Compare it with the real version, which can be found on the Internet.

If the version is outdated, then download a new one and install. It is best to download from official sources. Drivers for hardware are distributed by developers free of charge, and there is no point in risking the “health” of your operating system in vain.

Signal distance

If after searching for a network the answer appears: “No available connections" - think about the signal. In apartments, this option is not very relevant, since modern routers have a strong signal and distribute it quite far. But in private homes or other places where the distance can be quite large, the signal simply may not reach the laptop. Therefore, you should not be surprised if the Internet suddenly disappeared while you were walking around the house or yard.

Mac address

There are situations when I was able to connect, but the router does not see the Internet through my WiFi or has stopped seeing it. When using services from some providers, the user cannot simply change the network adapter, since the Mac address changes.

The Mac address is written on each router and the user just needs to call the operator to bind a new address to replace the old one. You may be asked to dictate it in full or to specify only the last few values ​​of the entire number.

Antivirus or third party programs

Third-party programs installed on a laptop may conflict with drivers or interfere with the correct establishment of an Internet connection, which often happens when the device sees wifi but does not connect. In addition, sometimes antiviruses interfere with creating a connection. If possible, it is better to try connecting to the Internet without a router first. If everything is fine, then the programs are not to blame.

In addition to those listed, there can be many reasons. Basically, the variety of reasons is due to problems with the operating system. Therefore, if all else fails, try reinstalling your operating system. Perhaps all the problems come from here.

The laptop does not see the WIFI network on Windows7/Windows 8/WindowsXP

For those who are wondering why the laptop does not see wifi windows 7, first of all, you need to try manually turning on the wireless network.

To do this you need:


In Windows 8, activity is checked through the “PC Settings” item. Next, you need to select the “wireless connection” line and move the slider on the right side of the menu to the “On” state.

The wireless network when using Windows XP does not require manual activation and, as a rule, connects like Windows 7. It is enough to activate it through the control panel or through the wireless icon through the bottom panel of the system.

Video: how to create and configure a WI-FI network

How to set up a wireless network

For comfortable use of the network, some users resort to settings. Usually, standard settings are enough, but if you want, you can delve into your personal account. It is through Personal Area parameters are changed.

The login and password are specified by the router manufacturers, and you can find this data in the instructions. The address that will take you to your personal account is also indicated there. It is best to replace the default data so that no one can use it.

All other settings are made on the laptop itself, and they are installed using the Network Control Center.

WiFi without internet due to Windows

There are rare cases when the operating system itself does not want to detect a wireless connection and shows that there is no external network at all. This option may exist when using non-licensed OS. Some people prefer to use amateur assemblies, which do not load the system as much and allow you to squeeze more out of the hardware.

Another reason could be a clogged system. System folders, over time, become clogged unnecessary files and if you do not defragment, the processor will be increasingly loaded. Antiviruses also cannot keep a laptop clean forever.

In any case, all problems with the OS can be solved by a simple reinstallation. After reinstalling Windows everything should work. Thus, the solution to the problem lies only in the functionality of the router, enabled WiFi on the laptop, or the presence of the necessary software. If these points are observed, WiFi will not present difficulties and will delight the user with stable operation.

Every person using personal computer, it is very common to encounter problems connecting to Wi-Fi. Situations arise when a laptop or other device does not see the wireless network, or it is incorrectly displayed in the list of available connections. It also happens that the network is connected, but data transfer does not occur.

There are many reasons why such a problem arises. And in order to correct this, you first need to determine why such a malfunction could occur. The first reason this happens is that the laptop refuses to find any available points nearby Wi-Fi access. The other one cause depends on the wireless network source. And in such a situation, the computer, on the contrary, sees everything Wi-Fi zones, except the one you need to connect to.

You should always start diagnosing a malfunction by finding out the causes. And then proceed according to the plan below to identify the culprit of the problem:

  • Is the router working correctly and is it accessible to connect? dot Wi-Fi? Can other devices that have a Wi-Fi receiver see the router's signal?
  • Are there other wireless network sources nearby? And how are they displayed in the list of network connections on a computer or smartphone?

Fixing the problem using Windows 7 or 8

When it turns out that the router is properly distributing a signal and other devices are detecting it, but the laptop does not see Wi-Fi even from neighboring routers, this indicates that adapter the laptop has failed or is simply disabled by software or hardware. To be sure of this, you need to:

  1. Launch Device Manager and find “Network Adapters” in the list.
  2. The sub-item that appears should contain all network devices, the list of which should include a wireless adapter. Each laptop model may have a different designation. Its exact name must be in technical specifications, which can be found on the manufacturer's website.
  3. It is also necessary that in the line with the name of the network device there are no additional yellow icons with a sign exclamations(this is a warning that the device is disabled or the wrong driver is installed on it).
  4. First you need to try to turn on Wi-Fi. To do this, you need to call the context menu on the line with the name of the adapter and select the “Engage” command.
  5. If this method does not help, then you need to try reinstalling the device drivers. To do this, you need to download them from the manufacturer’s website and install them again.
  6. You can also remove the adapter from the device manager list and restart the computer. And after turning it on and loading, open the manager again and check whether the Wi-Fi adapter is detected correctly. If it displays as " Unknown device", then install pre-loaded drivers.

You can use another method to check functionality wireless card Wi-Fi. To do this, you need to go to the “Control Panel” and find the “Network and Sharing Center...” section there. Then go to the “Change adapter settings” item in the left column of the window. When Wi-Fi is turned on and working normally, there should be no red crosses or other additional symbols on the “Wireless network connection” icon. If the adapter shortcut says “Disabled”, then you can launch it by calling the context menu and clicking on the “Enable” command.

Hardware problems

Additionally, the Wi-Fi card can be enabled using the laptop's function keys and switches. In this case, you need to look on the keyboard among the buttons (F1-F12) for a symbol indicating Wi-Fi standard. And by pressing the Fn key along with this icon, you can start the device. Exact location this button or the switch can be found by reading the laptop manual. Similar keyboard shortcuts are made to quickly turn off the Wi-Fi signal during an airplane flight, and can have an airplane symbol on the laptop keyboard. It all depends on the manufacturer and model of the device.

Another reason for adapter failure may be recent repairs or cleaning of dust from the laptop. It is possible that the card may have been damaged or connected incorrectly during assembly. Under such circumstances, it is necessary to either change the adapter to a working one, or correctly install it in the slot intended for this. You should also pay attention to the wires going to it. It is possible that one of them could have been damaged when assembling the laptop after servicing.

There are times when a laptop does not see all Wi-Fi networks, while other computers and gadgets connect normally to the router. The first thing, of course, is to try rebooting the router. To do this, you need to disconnect it from the power supply for 20-30 seconds and wait until it boots up completely.

If this simple method did not help and the computer still stubbornly refuses to connect to Wi-Fi, then you need to proceed as follows:

  1. First, you can try changing the encryption type in the wireless network configuration of the adapter or router. It’s also worth trying to change the number of the channel on which the signal is broadcast.
  2. You can also rename the network, giving it a simpler name consisting of ordinary Latin letters.

Another problem due to which Wi-Fi on a laptop does not connect may be viruses in the operating system and technical malfunctions of the network card. Such a malfunctioning adapter is capable of displaying list of networks, but do not connect to them. For example, due to corrupted software embedded in its controller.

However, the source of the problem can be not only a laptop, but also an incorrectly configured and operating router. To solve problems connecting to a wireless network, you need to:

  1. Reset the router software to factory default settings. And enter new values ​​into its settings.
  2. Check what firmware is installed on the router and how up-to-date it is. If software router is outdated, you need to download more new version and update your device.

It is recommended to periodically monitor the availability of new firmware and update the router when new software becomes available. This can not only improve its performance and remove some errors in its operation, but also provide reliable security.

In addition to connection difficulties, there are also indirect problems that create a lot of trouble when using Wi-Fi networks. One of these inconveniences may be the slow speed of information transfer over a wireless network. And her reasons are:

  1. A very large number of users connected to a Wi-Fi access point.
  2. Incorrect router placement. A router that is located far away or poorly installed in a room may not reach the Wi-Fi signal to the computer, especially if it is a laptop with which people often move from one place to another. To do this, it is better to place the access point where there is an equal distance to it from all corners of the room or house.
  3. Interference from other sources. Signal quality often suffers due to sources of other wireless networks emerging nearby. They can cause interference and slow down your connection speed. This has a particularly strong effect when such a source is a more powerful router installed at the neighbors’ place. Another reason could be nearby office buildings equipped with many such access points.
  4. Low-quality or cheap router issued by your provider. Many companies that provide Internet access purchase inexpensive equipment to save their costs. This allows you to reduce the connection price, but creates some inconvenience for the user. Therefore, before concluding a contract, it is better to consult with technical support and purchase a more powerful router.

The data transfer speed is also affected by constantly turned on torrents and media files and online games viewed on the network. If you need to get maximum connection speed, then at this time it is better to disable all traffic-consuming applications.

Quite often, for many users of computers running the seventh and eighth versions of Windows, it may happen that instead of the usual wireless connection icon, a cross appears, indicating that there are no connections available.

Moreover, this happens mainly on a fully working computer. At the same time, up to
At that moment everything was working fine and it was possible to connect to the Internet, but now there is no such option. This problem can occur for various reasons, however, it all comes down to the fact that the operating system does not see the Wi-Fi module and considers it turned off, as a result of which it displays a message about the lack of connections. But this problem can be fixed. There are several methods for this.

If Wi-Fi has not been used on this laptop before, or Windows has been reinstalled

If a wireless connection has never been used on a laptop, and now a Wi-Fi router has appeared and you need to connect to it, but this problem arises, then you need to search the Internet for advice on why Wi-Fi does not work on a laptop.

The main thing that needs to be done in this case is to install all the necessary drivers, which need to be downloaded from the manufacturer’s official resource, but not the driver pack. At the same time, it is necessary to download drivers not only for the Wi-Fi module, but also to maintain the functionality of the laptop keys, which are designed to turn on the wireless adapter.

If your wireless network was working and now there are no connections available

If up to this point everything was working fine, and then this problem suddenly appeared, then you need to check all the methods described below in turn. You can try disconnecting the router from the electrical network, and then turning it on again. In addition, it is worth trying to use the “Troubleshooting” section, which appears when you click on the Wi-Fi connection icon with a cross.

In addition, you need to check whether Wi-Fi is turned on on the laptop, if it has one, and whether you can turn it on using the function keys. Also worth a visit proprietary program Wi-Fi network management, if available. In addition, you need to make sure that the wireless connection is in the list of connections.

In the “eight”, in addition to all the methods described, you should go to the “Control Panel” and select “Options”. In this section, you need to click on “Change PC settings”, and then select “Network” or “Wireless”, depending on the version. Here you need to check that all modules are active. In 8.1 you need to check if
Is Airplane Mode enabled?

In addition, it is worth visiting the official website of the laptop manufacturer and downloading drivers for the Wi-Fi module from it and installing them. It's worth doing, even if you already have such drivers, it's still worth trying.

If after doing all this, nothing has changed, then you can try another method. It is not the simplest, so for inexperienced users it will not be so easy to complete.

Lack of drivers

  • If you see that a red cross appears on the WI-FI icon (ladder) or on the monitor icon, this may indicate problems with the network adapter driver. Very often, especially after reinstalling the system, specialists forget to install this driver because it is rarely included in the Windows build. You can solve this yourself.
  • All you need is to find a disk with drivers for your laptop. If it is not available, you can download it from the official website of your PC manufacturer. Very important: from the official website, because in other places you may find virus-infected files.
  • Install the resulting driver and reboot the equipment.

After the manipulations have been performed, you need to check the result. This can be done in Device Manager. If there, in the list of network devices, you see your WI-FI adapter, then everything went well and you can connect to the network.

Checking receiver activity

Very often, modern laptop models are equipped with a toggle switch to turn on the WI-FI card. There are many cases when the user himself or his relatives turn off this switch, which leads to the absence of the network.

You can find out whether this toggle switch is active by the presence of an LED on the laptop case. Its location depends on the model and manufacturer.

If the LED is on or blinking, you need to be guided by its color:

  • yellow - disabled;
  • white, green - included.

If your model does not have an indicator, there is another option:

  • go to “Start”;
  • then go to “Control Panel”;
  • Find the item “Network and Internet”, and in it “Network and Sharing Center”;
  • click on “Change adapter settings”;
  • then right-click on the “Wireless Network Connection” shortcut;
  • select "Enable".

If after this the color of the label changes, then you did everything correctly.

Settings problem

Quite often it happens that the wireless network settings in a laptop are lost due to failures or the settings in the router are lost.

The result of such processes is a ladder icon with a yellow blot, i.e. There are available networks, you just need to enter the connection data. You need to click on this icon, select the desired network and enter the password for it in the field.

To check the status of the settings on your wireless WI-FI router (if you have one), you need to:

  • in the browser, enter the IP address in the address bar: 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1;
  • in the authorization window, enter the login admin, password admin or 1234 or leave this field empty;
  • make changes to the wireless mode and WAN mode settings in accordance with the standards of your provider and save them.

If after this nothing has changed, then you can take the following steps:

  • remove the wireless adapter from device manager and restart the PC;
  • Check if the WI-FI Auto Setup service is enabled. In order to do this, go to the Windows control panel, select “Administration” - “Services”, find “WLAN Auto Configuration” in the list of services and, if you see “Disabled” in its parameters, double-click on it and in the “ Set Startup Type to Automatic and click the Run button.
  • Check on the router in the security settings which mode b/g/n is selected. There may be a discrepancy between the router mode and the laptop.

That's all. I hope some of the advice helps you.

Best regards, Evgeniy.

A fairly common problem among owners of laptops with Windows 7 or Windows 8 (8.1) - at one point, in the notification area, instead of the usual wireless Wi-Fi connection icon, a red cross is displayed, and when you hover over it, a message stating that there are no connections available.

Moreover, in most cases, this happens on a completely working laptop - just yesterday, perhaps, you successfully connected to an access point at home, but today this is the situation. The reasons for this behavior may be different, but in general terms, the operating system believes that the Wi-Fi adapter is turned off, and therefore reports that there are no connections available. And now about ways to fix this.

If your wireless network was working and now there are no connections available

If everything worked recently and now you have a problem, try the methods listed below in order. And if these options have already been tried, go to the seventh point, from which we will begin to describe in detail (because everything is not so simple there for novice computer users).

7. Remove the wireless Wi-Fi adapter from Device Manager, install it again

To launch Windows Device Manager, press the Win+R keys on your laptop keyboard and enter the command devmgmt.msc, and then press Ok or Enter.

In Device Manager, open the “Network Adapters” section, right-click on Wi-Fi adapter, pay attention to whether there is an “Enable” item there (if there is, turn it on and do not do everything else that is described here, the inscription no available connections should disappear) and if it is not there, select the “Delete” item.

After the device is removed from the system, in the device manager menu, select “Action” - “Update hardware configuration”. The wireless adapter will be found again, drivers will be installed on it and, perhaps, everything will work.

8. See if the WLAN Auto Configuration service is enabled in Windows

To do this, go to the panel Windows management, select “Administration” - “Services”, find “WLAN Auto Configuration” in the list of services and if you see “Disabled” in its parameters, double-click on it and in the “Startup type” field set “Automatic”, and also click "Run" button.

Just in case, look through the list and if you find additional services that have Wi-Fi or Wireless in their name, turn them on too. And then, preferably, restart your computer.

We hope one of these methods will help you solve the problem when Windows says there are no Wi-Fi connections available.

The misunderstanding, which we will touch on in our article, increasingly worries users of laptops connected to a wireless network. This misunderstanding is of a technical nature - the essence of the problem is the unexpected refusal of the built-in or external router to receive and transmit data.

In this case, the network icon in the tray takes on a characteristic appearance - a ladder crossed out by a red cross - and when you hover over this cross with the mouse, a message appears stating that there are supposedly no available connections in Windows 7. This behavior of the network comes as a complete surprise to the user. We will teach you how to deal with this problem, but in the meantime, draw your attention to the fact that it often appears immediately after reinstalling the operating system. It may very well be that the cause of the network failure is incorrect installation of drivers or installation of drivers that are not entirely suitable for your adapter model.

In this case, find out the model of your adapter and download the latest drivers for it. To do this, go to the laptop manufacturer’s website - they will probably be found there. Download and install everything that is offered to you. The fact is that in addition to the drivers necessary to ensure the operation of the network, drivers may also be required to support function keys.

Many laptops use function keys like “Fn” to control the adapter. If you do not use these keys, then controlling the adapter becomes a hassle. The so-called flight mode is also activated by the keys. Without installing the appropriate programs, you lose most of the functionality. It's no wonder that the WiFi module begins to behave strangely.

First attempts to fix the problem

To get started, we can suggest trying the following:

  • Rebooting the router sometimes helps. To reboot, simply unplug the power cord from the outlet and plug it back in.
  • Call the standard Windows diagnostic tool from the context menu of the connection icon.
  • Sometimes the WiFi hardware switch on the laptop panel is turned off. Check its condition.
  • To connect WiFi, you can try to run the service utility supplied by some computer manufacturers along with drivers.
  • Go to the "Network connections" section of the control panel. Check if the wireless connection icon is active. If not, activate it from the context menu.
  • Check the drivers again.

In theory, these events should liven up your network. However, this may not happen. In this case, follow our further recommendations.

Device Manager - to help

Like any computer device, the wireless adapter is registered in a Windows snap-in called “Device Manager”. You can access the dispatcher in different ways:

  • Right-click on the “My Computer” icon. In the context menu, select “Properties”. In the window that opens, select the “Hardware” tab and click on the “Device Manager” button.
  • But you can do it differently. Without further ado, call up the “Run” command window and enter devmgmt.msc in the command field – this is the name of the snap-in. The “Run” window itself is called up either with the mouse from the “Start” menu, or with the “Win” + “R” key group.

As a result, a dispatcher window will open, something like the one in the figure:

  • Go to the "network adapters" node.
  • Expand this node.
  • Find in its list a device whose name includes the word “Wireless” - this is the wireless adapter.
  • Then right-click on its name and select “Delete”.
  • Then go to the main menu of the dispatcher window.
  • And in the “Actions” item, click on the “Update hardware configuration” item.

If after this the network remains unavailable, try tinkering with the system services settings.

WLAN Auto Configuration Service

The service in question may also be responsible for the problem. It is located in the same place as all other Windows services, at the address “Control Panel” => “Administration” => “Services”. Find the “WLAN auto-configuration” service in the list and find out whether it is running. To do this, right-click on the service name and select Properties in the context menu that opens. A window similar to the one below will open:


Make sure the Startup Type field is set to Automatic. If this is not the case, then set this parameter, and then restart the service by first clicking on the “Stop” button and then on the “Start” button. Save the changes made by closing the window with the “Ok” button.

If everything is done correctly, the wireless network should become active. If this is not the case, then it is worth looking for other reasons for its inoperability - it may be the equipment itself.

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