Windows not detecting WiFi Networks: Best Fixes

Are you facing the frustrating issue of Windows 11 not detecting WiFi networks? You’re not alone. Many users have encountered this problem after upgrading to Microsoft’s latest operating system.

Luckily, there are several effective solutions to help you resolve this issue and regain your wireless connectivity. In this article, we will explore why this problem occurs, and we will provide the best fixes for Windows 11 not detecting WiFi networks.

If you are interested, learn how to fix the Wireless mouse and keyboard losing connection.

Why is my pc not detecting wireless networks?

Windows users often face network issues where their devices do not detect their WiFi. Some may wonder why there are no Wi-Fi networks found on their device. There could be several reasons why your PC is not detecting a wireless network. Here are some common factors to consider:

• Network Adapter Issues
• Wi-Fi Signal Problems
• Wi-Fi Network Visibility
• Wireless Adapter Functionality
• Router or Modem Problems
• Interference from Other Devices
• Security Settings or Network Authentication
• Software or Operating System Issues

You may face the issue where your WiFi SSID not showing up in Windows 10 or 11 for the above factors. Don’t panic, as you can quickly fix it by following the methods that are mentioned below.

How to Fix Windows not detecting WiFi Networks

WiFi not detecting issues can be resolved in a variety of methods. However, before going through these detailed methods, we suggest you do these quick steps:

• Update the WiFi adapter driver using DriverFix.
• Turn off your WiFi and turn it on after several minutes.
• Disable Flight Mode and check if the issue is resolved.
• Restart your device and Router, then check for WiFi.

After that, Follow the solutions mentioned below to solve the WiFi network not showing up issue that you are encountering:

1. Restart WiFi Services:

Sometimes, restarting the WiFi services can help resolve the issue by:

1. Press the Win + R to open the Run dialog box. 
2. Type the following command and click on OK: services.msc
   
3. In the Services window, locate WLAN AutoConfig and WiFi Direct Services Connection Manager.
4. Right-click on each service, and select Restart. (Wait for the process to complete.)
   
5. Afterward, check if your device can detect WiFi networks.

2. Reset Network Settings:

Resetting network settings can sometimes solve this issue. Reset network settings by following:

1. Press the Win + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Network & Internet.
3. Scroll down and select Advanced network settings.
   
4. Click on Network reset.
   
5. A warning message will appear on top, informing you that this will remove and reinstall all network adapters.
6. Click on Reset now and follow the instructions.
   
   
7. Once the reset is complete, restart your PC and check if it can detect wireless networks.

3. Disable and re-enable the wireless adapter:

If Windows is still not detecting WiFi, then follow these steps:

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager from the menu.
2. In the Device Manager window, expand the Network Adapters section.
3. Right-click on your wireless adapter and select Disable device.
   
4. Wait for a few seconds and right-click on the adapter again, but this time select Enable device.
5. Check if your PC can now detect the wireless networks.

4. Modify Power Settings:

Windows 11 power settings can sometimes interfere with WiFi functionality where your laptop not detecting WiFI. Follow these steps to fix:

1. Open the Device Manager, as mentioned earlier.
2. Locate your WiFi adapter. 
3. Right-click on it, select Properties.
4. Go to the Power Management tab and uncheck the option that says Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power, then click OK to save the changes.
   
5. Restart your computer and check if the WiFi networks are now detected.

5. Run the Network Troubleshooter:

The network troubleshooter will resolve your issue. To run it, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app, as mentioned earlier.
2. Click on System and scroll down and click on Troubleshoot.
   
3. Select Other trouble-shooters.
   
4. Click on Run of the section Internet Connections.
   
5. Follow the prompts to run the troubleshooter and see if it identifies and resolves any network issues.

6. Reset TCP/IP stack:

You can reset TCP/IP to fix the WiFi issue by following these steps:

1. Right-click on the Windows logo and select Terminal (Admin).
2. In the Terminal window, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

netsh winsock reset

netsh int ip reset

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

3. After executing these commands, restart your PC and check if it can detect wireless networks.

7. Perform a System Restore:

If the issue started recently, you could try using System Restore to revert your PC back to a previous working state. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the dialog box, as mentioned earlier.
2. Type the following command and press Enter to open the System Restore window: rstrui
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point before the issue occurred.
   
4. Once the restoration is complete, your PC will restart, and hopefully, it will detect wireless networks.

Extra Steps

If the above methods don’t work for you, try these extra steps:

• Update Windows 11 to the latest version.
• Update WiFi drivers and check the hardware.
• If none of these methods resolves the issue, seeking professional assistance is recommended.

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If your PC or laptop cannot detect the wireless SSID but your phone can, then you can try the above methods to fix it. Follow them carefully and have an issue-free Wi-Fi connection. Hope these methods will resolve Windows not detecting WiFi networks, and you’ll enjoy a seamless WiFi connection.