Windows

Windows 11: How to Fix a Missing Wi-Fi Option?

Are you using Windows 11 and the Wi-Fi option has mysteriously disappeared? Don't panic! This problem, while frustrating, is often easy to solve. In this article, we'll explore the various possible causes and offer step-by-step solutions, along with clear and simplified explanations to help you get your Wi-Fi connection in no time.

1. Run the Windows troubleshooting utilities

Start by running the troubleshooting utilities built into Windows 11. They can often automatically identify and fix Wi-Fi connection problems.

1.1 Internet Connection Troubleshooting Utility

Click Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Status .

Under Change your network settings , select Troubleshooting .
Internet connection troubleshooter .

1.2 Network Adapter Troubleshooting Utility

If the problem persists, run the network adapter troubleshooter:

Open Device Manager (right-click on Start).

Expand Network Adapters .
Right-click on your network adapter and select Troubleshoot .

2. Enable the Wi-Fi adapter in network connections

Your Wi-Fi adapter may simply be disabled. Let's check its status:

Click on the Network in the system tray.
If Wi-Fi is off, click the Wi-Fi to turn it on.

If the Wi-Fi option is unavailable, follow these steps:

Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi .
"Show available networks" option .
If your Wi-Fi network is visible, select it and click Connect .

3. Update your network card drivers

Outdated drivers can cause connectivity problems. Make sure your network card drivers are up to date:

3.1 Automatic driver updates

Open Device Manager .
Expand Network Adapters .
Right-click on your network adapter and select Update driver .
Choose Automatically search for updated drivers .

3.2 Manual driver update

If the automatic update fails, you can manually download and install the latest driver from your network card manufacturer's website.

4. Configure the power supply management settings of the network adapter

Windows may sometimes disable the Wi-Fi adapter to save power. Change these settings:

Open Device Manager .
Expand Network Adapters .
Right-click on your network adapter and select Properties .

power supply Management tab , uncheck the box Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power .

5. Enable the WLAN automatic configuration service

This service is crucial for managing Wi-Fi connections. Make sure it is enabled:

Press Windows + R to open the Run .
Type services.msc and press Enter .
WLAN Automatic Configuration service .

Double-click on the service and make sure that the Startup Type is set to Automatic .
Click Start if the service is stopped.

6. Reinstall the Wi-Fi device driver

Reinstalling the driver can resolve corruption issues:

Open Device Manager .
Expand Network Adapters .
Right-click on your network adapter and select Uninstall device .
Restart your computer.
Windows will automatically reinstall the driver upon restart.

7. Reset the network device and network stack

7.1 Reset the network device

Step 1: Open the command prompt with administrative privileges

Right-click the Start and select Command Prompt (Admin) .

Enable and disable the Windows Boot Manager via the command prompt

If a User Account Control pop-up window appears, click Yes to allow the command prompt to run with elevated privileges.

Step 2: Execute the reset command

In the command prompt, type the following command:

netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt

Explanation of the command:

netsh Windows network configuration tool
int : Network interface
IP : Internet Protocol
reset : Resets network settings
c:\resetlog.txt : Saves a reset log to the resetlog.txt on the C:\ drive

Step 3: Restart the computer

Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

7.2 Reset the network stack

In the command prompt, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each one:

netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset all ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew ipconfig /flushdns

Restart your computer.

8. Advanced solutions (If the previous solutions do not work)

If none of the above solutions resolve the problem, more advanced solutions may be necessary:

8.1 Check for hardware interference

Remove any USB or Bluetooth devices that may interfere with the Wi-Fi signal.

8.2 Modify the Windows Registry (Caution: Proceed with caution)

⚠️ Warning: Modifying the Windows can cause system problems. Only instructions provided by trusted technical sources should be followed. It is strongly recommended to create a system restore point before making these changes.

8.3 Reset Windows 11 (as a last resort)

If all other solutions fail, you can consider resetting Windows 11 to its default settings. Remember to back up your important data before proceeding with the reset.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the missing Wi-Fi option issue in Windows 11. If you are still experiencing difficulties, feel free to contact Microsoft technical support or your network card manufacturer for further assistance.