How to Turn on WiFi on Windows 10 Laptop

In today’s technological age, having reliable access to the internet is crucial. With the significant increase in remote work and online schooling, an unstable internet connection can lead to a frustrating and unproductive day. Windows 10 laptops are known for their user-friendly interface and functionality. However, some users might face difficulties in turning on their Wi-Fi connection on their Windows 10 laptop, leading to connectivity issues. In this blog, we will guide you through some effective methods to turn on Wi-Fi on your Windows 10 laptop and common troubleshooting tips to resolve any issues.

Video Tutorial:

The Challenge of Turning on Wi-Fi on Windows 10 Laptop

Windows 10 laptops are designed to make it easy for users to connect to Wi-Fi networks. However, some users might face issues with turning on their Wi-Fi due to software or hardware problems. Some of the common reasons why users can’t turn on Wi-Fi on their Windows 10 laptop are as follows:

  • The Wi-Fi driver is outdated or corrupted.
  • The Wi-Fi adapter is not enabled or needs to be reset.
  • Network-related issues or Router problem.

Things You Should Prepare for

Before attempting any of the methods below, make sure you have the following:

  • An active Wi-Fi network to connect to.
  • Administrator access to your Windows 10 laptop.
  • The latest Wi-Fi driver installed in your laptop (if not, you must download it from the manufacturer’s website).

Method 1: Turn on Wi-Fi via Windows Settings

If you are unable to turn on Wi-Fi on your Windows 10 laptop, this method will help you turn on your Wi-Fi via Windows Settings.

1. Click on the Windows icon on the bottom left corner of your screen and click on “Settings” (gear icon).
2. Click on “Network & Internet”.
3. In the “Network & Internet” settings, click on “Wi-Fi” in the left pane.
4. Under “Wi-Fi”, click on the “Toggle” switch to turn on Wi-Fi.

Pros:

  • Easy to follow, even for beginners.
  • Requires no technical knowledge.

Cons:

  • May not work in certain situations if there is a critical issue with the system or network.
  • Requires access to Windows settings.

Method 2: Update Wi-Fi Driver

One possible reason why you can’t turn on Wi-Fi on your Windows 10 laptop is because of an outdated or corrupted Wi-Fi driver. Follow these steps to update your Wi-Fi driver:

1. Press Windows key + X and click on “Device Manager”.
2. In the “Device Manager” window, click on the drop-down arrow beside “Network Adapters”.
3. Right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter and click on “Update driver”.
4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software” and wait for Windows to search for and install the latest driver.

Pros:

  • Helps resolve issues with outdated or corrupted Wi-Fi drivers.
  • Easily accessible in Device Manager.

Cons:

  • Requires an active internet connection to download the updated driver.
  • May not work in severe cases where there are critical hardware problems with the Wi-Fi adapter.

Method 3: Perform a Network Reset

Sometimes, multiple network-related issues can stop you from turning on Wi-Fi on your Windows 10 laptop. If you have tried the methods above and still can’t turn on Wi-Fi, try a network reset. A network reset can help you restore all your network settings to their defaults.

1. Click on the Windows icon and select “Settings”.
2. Click on “Network & Internet”.
3. In the left pane, click on “Status”.
4. Scroll down to the bottom and click on “Network reset”.
5. Click on “Reset now” and then click on “Yes” to confirm.

Pros:

  • Resets all network settings to default, which can help fix multiple issues.
  • Accessible from the Windows settings menu.

Cons:

  • Requires internet access to re-download network drivers.
  • You may need to reconnect to all your saved Wi-Fi networks.

Why Can’t I Turn on Wi-Fi on Windows 10 Laptop?

Q1: Why is my Wi-Fi not turning on?

A: There are several reasons why your Wi-Fi might not turn on. One of the most common reasons is outdated or corrupted Wi-Fi drivers. Other issues include a deactivated Wi-Fi adapter and network-related issues.

Q2: Can I turn on Wi-Fi on my Windows 10 laptop without administrator access?

A: No. Without administrator access, you will not be able to turn on Wi-Fi on your Windows 10 laptop.

Q3: Why does my Wi-Fi keep turning off on my Windows 10 laptop?

A: Several reasons could cause Wi-Fi to periodically turning off. These reasons include outdated drivers, power management settings, hardware issues, and network-related issues.

Q4: Why does my laptop say “No networks found” when my Wi-Fi is on?

A: When your laptop says “No networks found,” it means that your Wi-Fi adapter is unable to detect the Wi-Fi network.

Q5: Why does Wi-Fi not show up in the list of available networks?

A: This could be because your Wi-Fi driver is outdated or because your Wi-Fi adapter is disabled.

Additional Tips

If the methods above do not work in turning on Wi-Fi on your Windows 10 laptop, try some of these additional tips:

  • Restart your router and laptop.
  • Disable airplane mode.
  • Reset your network settings.
  • Check whether your laptop has a physical Wi-Fi button that needs to be turned on.

In Conclusion

Having connectivity issues can hinder your daily work, and it’s important to have a reliable internet connection. Turning on Wi-Fi on your Windows 10 laptop is easy with the methods listed above, and we hope this guide helped you resolve your Wi-Fi connectivity issues. However, if your issue still persists, consider taking your laptop to a professional to get it checked for hardware issues.