A network connection is vital for any smart device today, whether a mobile phone or a PC. It can get very inconvenient for everyone who uses the internet, regularly. We may not be able to get help or work done, without a network connection. Sometimes there is a chance that a wireless network doesn’t work on your Windows PC.
Since we understand how annoying the WiFi not Working Windows error can be, we made this blog page. You will find all the solutions to get your WiFi back on Windows. Let’s learn about why this issue occurs as a bonus. We will also discuss the fixes you need to connect to a network again.
Why is the WiFi not working on Windows PC?
We noted seven factors that can potentially stop your Windows system from connecting to a wireless network.
- Issues with the network adapter driver
- Unavailability of WiFi networks
- Weak Wi-Fi Signals
- Misconfigured network settings
- Interferences from the VPN
- Disabled WiFi feature on the modem
- Minor or Major System bugs
Solutions for the WiFI not working On Windows error
- Restart the PC and Router
- Contact the Service Provider
- Enable and Disable Airplane Mode
- Disable the Antivirus Temporarily
- Reset the network configurations
- Turn off the Metered Connection
- Run the Network Troubleshooter
- Execute Network Commands
- Download Driver Updates for the Wireless Adapter
- Turn the IPv6 feature off
- Download OS Updates
Fixing the WiFi not working Windows Issue
Restart the PC and Router
A basic workaround to fixing minor device issues is rebooting it. We can take this out on both the PC and your network router. All temporary changes and slight misconfigurations will be set to default. No data will be lost during this process.
Here’s how you can reboot a Windows PC –
- Close all the windows running on your system’s foreground. This is important as the PC cannot shut down with running processes.
- Open the Start menu by pushing the Windows key on your keyboard.
- Click on the Power options menu at the bottom-left corner of the window.
- Select Restart from the window and wait for the process to go on.
While the system is rebooting, let us restart the network router.
- Find the reset button at the back of your router. This is located in a tiny slot in the back panel.
- Use a thin, non-metal object to push the button and hold it.
- Wait for about five seconds until the lights turn off and come back on. This is the sign that your modem has been reset.
Alternatively, connect the PC and modem if you have an ethernet cable.
Contact the Service Provider
There is a chance for the network servers to be down. The service could be under maintenance, getting an upgrade, or going through a technical conflict. As users, we won’t be able to do much about this.
The Internet Service Provider (ISP) can provide information about the server’s status. It can take an indefinite period to get the network working again. If the ISP acknowledges that the servers are inactive, you must be patient until your Windows PC gets internet access.
Enable and Disable Airplane Mode
While restarting the PC can take a few minutes, another quick method does the same. Setting the system in Airplane Mode and disabling it can remove the unsaved configurations. This reset can bring the network settings to a state where WiFi works without an issue.
Airplane mode can be accessed in two different places on your Windows PC.
- The Quick settings menu in the notification shade, as a toggle button.
- Inside the Network settings page, in the form of a toggle switch.
Disable the Antivirus Temporarily
Antivirus programs are useful for detecting and removing threats in your system. But sometimes, the antivirus might get in the network’s way. Internet access can return when your antivirus is disabled.
If you have a third-party antivirus tool, you can disable it through the application window. Users can, alternatively, do this through the antivirus icon in the taskbar tray. The second option is much quicker as it does not involve navigation through the antivirus interface.
For the users with the Windows Defender active, use the following steps to disable it.
- Push the Windows + S keys and search for Windows security.
- Under the Security at a glance section, click on Virus & Threat Protection.
- On the following page, find the Manage settings link and click on it. You will now see the Virus & Threat Protection settings page.
- Find the Real-Time Protection and Cloud-delivered Protection sections. Now, click on the toggle switches to disable them, respectively.
- Restart your PC and check if the network comes back after the reboot.
Reset the network configurations
Resetting the network settings can bring the defaults into functioning. This means that your network can work as well as it did when the device was new. Use the method below to reset your network configurations on Windows –
- Open the Windows settings. You can either press Windows + I or use the gear icon in the Start menu.
- Move to the Network & Internet tab on the left panel.
- Click on the Advanced network settings.
- In the More settings section, choose the Network reset option.
- Accept the confirmation prompt and the network reset process will begin.
- Restart the device when the networks have been reset.
Turn off the Metered Connection
Your network might have a limit on its usage. The feature that controls it may be useful for your data usage but not the wireless connection. Maybe, disabling the Metered Connection feature could help our case.
- Launch the Settings window on your system.
- Proceed to the Network & Internet settings through the left panel tab.
- Select the wireless network to which the device is attempting or is already connected.
- Look for the Metered connection toggle switch and disable it.
Run the Network Troubleshooter
Troubleshooting your network is an effortless way to find and fix a Windows error. It takes only one click to narrow down the error. Another click will fix the issue when located.
- Launch the Settings window (Windows + I) and move to the System sub-settings.
- Click on the Troubleshoot option.
- Go into the Other troubleshooters section.
- In the list of system troubleshooters, find the Internet Connection Troubleshooter.
- Click on the Run button on the right side of the section.
- When the troubleshooting wizard comes up, select Troubleshoot my connection to the Internet. Follow the on-screen instructions if needed.
- Wait for the troubleshooting process to end. You will be shown the causes and fix if an issue is detected.
- Select Apply this fix to make the necessary changes.
Execute Network Commands
Many commands will flush your DNS address and reset the TCP/IP stack. This procedure will adjust the DNS server and IP settings to a universally functioning configuration.
The user has to open Command Prompt on their computer first. When this window is up, type the following command lines and hit Enter. Make sure to execute them in the given order –
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renewApart from fixing this issue, the commands can improve network speed and security.
Download Driver Updates for the Wireless Adapter
The Wireless Network adapter could be having pending updates. Since the latest WiFi adapter drivers are necessary for the best performance, let’s update them.
- Open your Device Manager window (devmgmt.msc).
- Navigate to and expand the Network adapters section. This is where you will find the WiFi driver.
- Right-click on it and from the context menu, select Properties.
- Click on the Driver tab.
- On this page, select Update driver.
- ​Wait for the driver update wizard to show up. Then, choose Search automatically for updated drivers.
- If there are available driver updates, they will be downloaded with proper internet. To install them, you just have to reboot the PC.
You can also get the driver updates from the manufacturer’s website. This could either be the Wi-Fi router brand or your laptop chipset brand.
Turn off the IPv6 feature off
If your Windows computer is not new, it may not support the new Internet Protocol (IP) version. In this case, we suggest that you disable the IPv6 feature.
- Bring the Control Panel (cpl) window.
- Go into the Network & Internet settings.
- From the panel on the left, choose the Change adapter settings link.
- Right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter from the list of network adapters.
- ​Choose the Properties option.
- Uncheck the Internet Protocol Version 6 checkbox.
- Choose Apply and OK to save the changes and close the windows.
Download OS Updates
When a bug on your Windows system causes the dysfunctional WiFi error, there’s not much we can do. There is a chance that the most recent update housing the solution to this error. It is worth a try to update your Windows OS to the latest version.
- Launch your settings application through the Start menu.
- Go into the Windows Update tab on the left.
- Click on the Check for updates option.
- At the availability of updates, click on Download and Install.
- When the download is complete, reboot the system. It is important to choose the Update and Restart option.
The reboot process will take longer than usual because of the update installation.
If your WiFi doesn’t work by now, you can contact your Internet Service Provider. They can look into the issue and fix it for you. You can get help from the nearest service center for suspicion of hardware failure or malfunction.
