WiFi does not work on a laptop: reasons and solutions

Wireless Internet access technologies are more popular today than ever before, because they allow you to connect via secure channels as quickly and simply as possible. But, unfortunately, there are situations when WiFi on a laptop with Windows does not work. In the material presented below, we will consider the problems of lack of connection based on laptops, since it is precisely for them that problems of this kind are characteristic. But first, a few possible and most common situations should be described.

Why WiFi does not work on a laptop: possible situations and reasons

First of all, let's imagine some of the most common situations. It is obvious that you can meet the problems associated with the fact that the laptop does not see the available network. Sometimes a network is detected, but it is impossible to make a connection. It often happens that a wireless connection seems to work, but you can’t open a single page on the Internet. The reasons for such phenomena can be quite a lot. Based on the described problems, we will seek the optimal solution for each specific case.

What to do if WiFi does not work on a laptop with Windows 7 or any other OS in the first place?

First of all, we consider the simplest and in a sense completely banal situations. That's why WiFi doesn't work on a laptop with Windows 7 or 10? Since in this case we are talking about laptops, and not about stationary computer terminals, each owner of such a device should understand that the wireless adapter (of course, if it exists and works normally) is initially turned on not in software, but in a physical way.

For this, special switches located at the ends of the device, special buttons located on the main or side panels, and also combinations based on function keys and the Fn button can be provided. Thus, if WiFi on the laptop does not work (the network is not detected at all), just turn on the module using the above methods.

However, the matter is not limited to such situations. No less often you can meet the problem of the fact that the Internet does not work on the laptop (WiFi is turned on and the wireless network is detected). A characteristic yellow icon is visible in the system tray, when you hover over the mouse cursor a pop-up message appears that the network is currently without access to the Internet. Again, the reasons for this can be found as many as you want. For example, a user has delayed payment for the provision of communication services to a provider, technical work is being done on the provider's servers, there may have been short-term malfunctions in the system or the settings of the router have flown, but it doesn’t happen. If the problem is not the side of the provider (which can be clarified in the support service), in this case the easiest way is to reset the router. To do this, the device must be completely de-energized for about 10-15 seconds, and then reconnected, wait a few minutes until it is fully loaded, and then check whether a connection appears (if the "Connect automatically" checkbox is selected for the selected network).

Finally, if WiFi on the laptop does not work well (note that it works), try restarting not only the router, but also the laptop. Alternatively, go to the room where the router is located so that there are no barriers between the laptop and the router (for example, in the form of walls). It may well be that the antenna of the router is damaged or the radio module, so to speak, is already breathing.

Test connection in Windows 10

But these were all the simplest situations and primitive methods for their correction. As a rule, most often the reasons for the lack of connection are not even that. Next, we consider some parameters and settings of operating systems, taking as a basis the tenth modification of Windows.

So, we assume that WiFi on a laptop with Windows 10 does not work. First you need to check the connection, making sure that the wireless icon in the tray indicates an active state.

Also, just in case, through RMB on the icon or through the settings menu, you can go to the network management section and see if the switch is in the on position in the WiFi options item.

Another specific problem related to the fact that WiFi on the laptop stopped working (although up to a certain point everything was in order), typical for the tenth version of the system, is that in the side notification menu, called from the system tray by clicking on the the right icon, when you select a specific action, you could click not on the desired tile, but on the inclusion of the "Airplane" mode.

When activated, absolutely all network connections are blocked. So, check his condition.

Checking Network Status

As for the system settings, it is quite possible that WiFi on the laptop does not work, and the network is not determined solely because of the deactivation of the connection itself. To correct the situation, through the classic “Control Panel” (control in the “Run” menu), go to the section of the network control center and proceed to change the adapter settings.

Now select the desired connection and, if it is inactive, through PCM, turn it on.

Driver Installation and Update Issues

Now let's look at a situation where WiFi on a laptop does not work due to lack or outdated drivers. It’s not worth using the operating system tools presented in the same “Device Manager”, since Windows is unlikely to find the necessary updated driver in its own database (especially for little-known manufacturers).

In this case, one of the simplest solutions will be to use automated software to search for and install updates for management software like Driver Booster.

However, the best option would be to contact the laptop manufacturer directly. Usually, all updates (including drivers) for each model are posted in the public domain. The user only needs to download the driver and install it yourself. Some manufacturers offer a simpler solution, which consists in having the user conduct an online test when they enter the site from their laptop, after which the installation of the missing drivers will be performed automatically (in case of emergency, an alternative offer may be issued).

If you do not have a “native” wireless module installed, in the “Task Manager” in the adapter properties on the information tab, look at the hardware ID, and then search for the driver on the Internet using the VEN and DEV identifiers.

Nuances of power settings

Another problem that WiFi does not work on the laptop is related to the settings of the current power scheme. By default, the system itself sets a balanced setting, and when you set the power saving mode, wireless connections may not work. Try a high-performance circuit and look at the result.

Additional power options

If we are talking about power supply, along the way, you should check the additional power settings that are set on the corresponding tab in the equipment properties in the “Device Manager”.

Here you need to uncheck the line to turn off the device in order to save power consumption.

Checking router settings

Finally, it is sometimes advisable to check the settings of the router. To begin with, you should enter the settings of the router’s web interface through any browser and see if the wireless connection is turned on there.

As an additional option, pay attention to the restriction on the maximum number of simultaneously connected clients (it is best to set the value to zero).

IPv4 Settings

Now one more thing related to Internet access. If the laptop works via WiFI for all addresses in the IPv4 protocol settings, automatic receipt settings must be set.

If this is all right, check the advanced settings and check the box prohibiting the use of proxies for local addresses. If the problem is with the DNS addresses, turn off the automatic assignment and use free combinations, for example, from Google (a combination of eights and fours).

Viral infection

Oddly enough, this sounds, but some viruses can also interfere with communication. This can be done at the level of driver damage, blocking certain types of networks, etc. If the above solutions did not work, just in case, check the system with some portable scanner like Dr. Web CureIt. If threats are not detected, or they cannot be neutralized, use the Kaspersky Rescue Disk program, burn its optical disk or a regular USB flash drive, install the device first in the BIOS boot list, boot from the media and check the system before Windows starts. Programs in this category are able to find even those viruses that sit deep in RAM and are not detected by other antivirus utilities.

Actions on Primary BIOS / UEFI Systems

In conclusion, a few words about primary input / output systems. It is believed that in them the problem may concern either incorrectly set options, or outdated firmware itself (Firmware). In the first case, you can use a special reset item for all settings (something like Load BIOS Setup Defaults) with saving changes on exit. In the second option, extreme caution should be exercised before installing the updated firmware, since incorrect actions can lead to completely unpredictable consequences. You should at least read the technical documentation regarding the installation process.

With more modern UEFI systems in this regard, the situation is much simpler, since for them the installation files for updating the firmware can be run directly in a running operating system, and not enter the settings when you turn on the laptop or when the system reboots.

Brief Summary

That, in fact, is all that can be said about possible failures when setting up a WiFi-based wireless connection. Above were considered only the most common situations, which can be much more. So, for example, issues related to damage to the modules themselves, which testing at home is an almost impossible process, were not addressed at all. But most of the above solutions can eliminate failures when using connections based on wireless technologies. If we talk about practical measures, very often the problems arise precisely due to the carelessness of the user, when they accidentally perform some actions that disconnect the connection, enter access passwords incorrectly, etc. And the settings of the operating system or routers are the second question. Here you need to monitor the current status of the drivers and the main parameters of the network if the machine is assigned a static rather than a dynamic internal IP address.