WiFi Not Working on Windows 11 Laptop: Troubleshooting Guide

Experiencing WiFi connectivity issues on your Windows 11 laptop can be incredibly frustrating. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various troubleshooting steps to diagnose and resolve the problem, getting you back online in no time.

1. Initial Checks and Quick Fixes

Before diving into more complex solutions, let’s start with some basic checks:

  • Ensure WiFi is Enabled: Look for the WiFi icon in the system tray (usually in the bottom-right corner of your screen). Make sure it’s turned on. If it’s off, click on it to enable WiFi.
  • Airplane Mode: Accidentally enabling Airplane Mode can disable all wireless connections. Check if Airplane Mode is on and disable it.
  • Restart Your Laptop: A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches and software conflicts.
  • Restart Your Router/Modem: Power cycle your router and modem by unplugging them from the power outlet for about 30 seconds, then plugging them back in. Wait for them to fully restart.
  • Check Physical Connections: If you are using an Ethernet cable to connect to your router, ensure the cable is securely plugged into both your laptop and the router.

2. Troubleshoot Network Adapter

The network adapter is the hardware component that allows your laptop to connect to WiFi. Problems with the adapter can cause connectivity issues.

2.1. Run the Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes a built-in network troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common network problems:

  1. Go to Settings (Windows key + I).
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click on Troubleshoot.
  4. Click on Other troubleshooters.
  5. Find Internet Connections and click Run.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

2.2. Update Network Adapter Driver

Outdated or corrupted network adapter drivers can cause connectivity problems. Here’s how to update the driver:

  1. Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Network adapters category.
  3. Right-click on your WiFi adapter (it usually has “Wireless” or “WiFi” in its name) and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows will search for and install the latest driver.
  5. If Windows doesn’t find a driver, you can try searching for it on the manufacturer’s website (e.g., Intel, Broadcom, Qualcomm).

2.3. Roll Back Network Adapter Driver

If the problem started after a recent driver update, rolling back to the previous driver version might help:

  1. In Device Manager, right-click on your WiFi adapter and select Properties.
  2. Go to the Driver tab.
  3. If the Roll Back Driver button is available, click on it and follow the on-screen instructions.

2.4. Uninstall and Reinstall Network Adapter Driver

If updating or rolling back the driver doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling it:

  1. In Device Manager, right-click on your WiFi adapter and select Uninstall device.
  2. Check the box that says Attempt to remove the driver for this device if available.
  3. Click Uninstall.
  4. Restart your laptop. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

3. Check Network Settings

Incorrect network settings can also cause WiFi connectivity issues.

3.1. Reset Network Settings

Resetting network settings will remove all saved WiFi networks and reset network adapters to their default configurations. This can often resolve complex network problems:

  1. Go to Settings (Windows key + I).
  2. Click on Network & internet.
  3. Click on Advanced network settings.
  4. Click on Network reset.
  5. Click Reset now and confirm your decision.
  6. Your laptop will restart.

3.2. Check IP Address and DNS Settings

  • IP Address: Ensure your laptop is configured to obtain an IP address automatically. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, click on your WiFi network name, and then click Edit next to IP assignment. Make sure it’s set to Automatic (DHCP).
  • DNS Settings: Try using Google’s Public DNS servers. Go to the same settings as above, and then click Edit next to DNS server assignment. Change it to Manual, turn on IPv4, and set the Preferred DNS to 8.8.8.8 and the Alternate DNS to 8.8.4.4.

4. Other Potential Solutions

4.1. Check WiFi Password

Double-check that you are entering the correct WiFi password.

4.2. Firewall Interference

Your firewall might be blocking WiFi connections. Temporarily disable your firewall to see if that resolves the issue. If it does, you’ll need to configure your firewall to allow WiFi traffic.

4.3. Background Applications

Some background applications can interfere with WiFi connections. Try closing unnecessary applications to see if that helps.

4.4. Hardware Issues

In rare cases, the problem might be due to a hardware issue with your WiFi adapter. If you’ve tried all the software solutions and your WiFi still isn’t working, consider contacting a computer repair technician.

By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve most WiFi connectivity issues on your Windows 11 laptop. Remember to try the simpler solutions first before moving on to more complex ones.