
WiFi not working on laptop is an issue that has been encountered by almost every laptop user at some point of time. No matter what laptop brand you are using, this is a frequent problem that has hurt the lives of Internet users. No one is paying attention to it until you are in a situation where you are in trouble. Here we are going to discuss how to fix this issue.
Table of Contents
Wifi not working on Laptop: Problem Overview
As we have discussed earlier that WiFi not working on laptop problem can occur with all major brand of laptop like Dell, HP, Lenovo. WiFi not working issue can be with any Windows versions also. Users are unable to connect with the internet. sometimes wifi gets connected but they can not access the internet. it becomes more frustrating when you see that your WiFi is connected with other devices but not with your laptop.
Whatever situation you are stuck in, we are going to cover the solution for all the problems & queries related to WiFi not working on laptop as mentioned below.
- WiFi not working on laptop windows 10 & Windows 7
- WiFi not working on Laptop (Lenovo laptop, HP laptop, Dell laptop, etc)
- WiFi not working on laptop but working on other devices and
- WiFi not working on laptop but working on mobile

Steps to fix Wifi not working on Laptop
- Step-1 : Restart your Router and laptop
- Step-2 : Run Windows Troubleshooter
- Step-3 : IP Update and DNS flush
- Step-4 : Unhide and rename SSID
- Step-5 : 2.4GHz instead of 5GHz band on a dual-band router
- Step-6 : Change Adapter Power Settings
- Step-7 : Reinstall Network Driver
- Step-8 : Temporarily Disable Antivirus
- Step-9 : Disable IPv4 or IPv6
- Step-10 : System Restore in Windows 10
- Step-11 : In Windows 10, “Reset this PC” Steps
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Step 1
Restart your Router and laptop
Let’s start with basic troubleshooting steps. Restarting routers, modems, and the laptop itself should always be the priority. IP conflicts occur frequently, especially if you use more than a few devices to access the Internet through a single router. Two of them are assigned the same IP and the problem begins. It is also a good idea to restart your laptop as it can stall your system all the time.
Restarting the equipment will resolve possible stall. First, try using a LAN with a wired connection. If the problem is only related to a Wi-Fi connection, restart your modem and router. Please wait a few minutes before turning the power off and on again. It may sound silly, but do not forget the physical switch or function button (FN on the keyboard). If you accidentally disable Wi-Fi, make sure you’ve re-enabled it appropriately. Doing this may help you in solving WiFi not working on laptop problems.
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Step 2
Run Windows Troubleshooter
Windows troubleshooters are typically overlooked when WiFi not working on laptop problems arise. Resolution ratios are now not exactly sky-high, but you can also identify errors that might be useful when you follow the steps later.
Sometimes there may be an IP conflict, sometimes a Wi-Fi radio (pointing to a driver or physical switch), an SSID (network problem), or an ISP (Internet Service Provider). Of course, in a scenario where a calculator can also connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi and a laptop, the number of possible criminals is quite limited.
So try to avoid unified problem solvers and try before switching to more adaptive solutions. The usage is as follows.
- Right-click the Wi-Fi icon at the bottom and click the Troubleshoot problem.
- Follow the instructions until the troubleshooter resolves the problem or at least diagnoses the problem.
- Close the troubleshooter.
- If you still cannot connect, move down the list.
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Step 3
IP Update and DNS flush
If the IP conflicts with one of the other connected devices, you can restart it at any time (the IP will be reallocated when you restart the router). However, we focus specifically on the DNS cache, which can collect domain data and negatively impact connections. DNS converts the hostname to IP and the IP to hostname. All translations that are collected are stored in the DNS cache and can be disconnected when accumulated.
Fortunately, you can reset your DNS, update your IP, and move from there. Here’s how to do it in Windows 10:
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- In the Windows search box, type command prompt.
- right-click Command Prompt, and then run as administrator.
- Type the following commands at the command line, and then press ENTER after each.
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- ipconfig /release.
- ipconfig /renew.
- ipconfig /release.
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- Wait a moment, type this command, and press Enter.
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- ipconfig / flushdns.
- ipconfig / flushdns.
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- Close the command prompt and reconnect to Wi-Fi.
- In the Windows search box, type command prompt.
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Step 4
Unhide and rename SSID
It is advised to reconsider changing the name of SSID to less bloated. Always use only standard alphanumeric characters with no emoticons and Unicode characters in the SSID name and try again. Other devices have pinpointed the location except for the notebook but try it.
Also, sometimes the hidden SSID that you have to manually insert during the connection can be a problem. Please make it visible temporarily and try again. For some users, the issue was resolved and we were able to connect without difficulty.
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Step 5
2.4GHz instead of 5GHz band on a dual-band router
The 5GHz band is far superior in almost all respects. Because most non-Wi-Fi devices use 2.4GHz, the speed is faster and less congested. It is more stable. But for 2.4GHz there are two better ones. First, the signal goes further and filters the wall more easily. Second, older devices that support older wireless standards are supported.
Therefore, if all the devices in your house (portable and smart devices or PCs) are connected at 5 GHz and functioning normally, you must use a laptop to connect to the 2.4 GHz band. You also need to select channels 1, 6, or 11 if you have the appropriate software. They do not overlap, you can also do this in the Advanced adapter settings. Here is the step by step procedure-
- Windows + S, type Control, and then open the Control Panel.
- Open Network and Internet in Category View.
- Open Network and Sharing Center.
- Select “Change adapter settings” in the left panel.
- Right-click the wireless adapter (connection) and open Properties.
- Click the “Configure” button.
- Select the Advanced tab.
- In the left pane, scroll to the WZC IBSS number channel.
- Select channels 1, 6, or 11 from the right drop-down menu.
- Please check your changes.
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Step 6
Change Adapter Power Settings
There are several power-related options that can affect how Wi-Fi works. Some of them will stop it to reduce power consumption; others will completely block Wi-Fi. Power settings are especially important on laptops because batteries are reliable mobile devices in a variety of scenarios.
You can set high-performance power management options or change individual preferences associated with the network adapter. The following is a list of things you need to do to ensure that power settings do not affect your wireless adapter. This can lead to connection problems and the like.
- Right-click the battery icon in the notification area and open Power Options.
- Click Set Plan Change to Default Power Plan.
- Click “Change Advanced Power Settings.”
- Expand “Wireless Adapter Settings” and then “Power Saving Mode.”
- Set the “Power Saving Mode” to “Maximum Performance” while plugged into the battery and wall outlet.
- Confirm your changes and close the window.
On the other hand, if you are not having problems with the power settings, go to the next step.
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Step 7
Reinstall Network Driver
We cannot solve the network-related problems and thus skip the driver in the process. There are several ways to get the right driver for your network adapter. In Windows 10, most of the drivers were installed automatically through Windows Update. However, these commonly applied drivers are not always the best fit for the job.
On the other hand, if you upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10, update to Windows 10. Do the following:
- Right-click the Start button and open Device Manager.
- Go to the network adapter.
- Right-click the Wi-Fi device and click on “Uninstall Device”.
- Restart your PC.
The system would automatically install the missing driver for the network adapter. If for some reason Windows cannot update the driver, you can do it manually. Please follow the instructions below.
- right-click on Start menu and open Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters.
- Right-click on your Wi-Fi network adapter and click Update Driver.
This solves the driver-related issues. We all know that drivers are important for stable and reliable system performance
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Step 8
Temporarily Disable Antivirus
Antivirus provides multi-threat protection to enhance protection software over time, but sometimes it can take too much action for its benefit. This means that certain firewall-based security features and/or network protection may block Wi-Fi connections. This may solve the problem by temporarily disabling antivirus. If the problem is resolved, you can create an exception later or make your network more credible.
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Step 9
Disable IPv4 or IPv6
Internet Protocol IPv4 and subsequent IPv6 in IPv6 works mostly in symbiosis, but you can block the connection by considering configuration and network adapters (former or latter). What you can try is to disable IPv4 or IPv6 (you cannot use both protocols at the same time) at the same time and look for changes.
This is not a difficult task and provides the next step if you do not know how to do it.
- Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Click on the network and the Internet.
- In the Status section, select “Change adapter options”.
- Right-click the Wi-Fi adapter and click on properties.
- new windows appear to choose internet protocol 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on the Properties button.
- check the obtain an IP address automatically and obtain DNS server address automatically.
- Now try connecting over Wi-Fi.
- If the problem persists, re-enable IPv4 and disable IPv6.
- Click OK and find your changes.
Return to recovery options
Still facing the problem, wifi is not working in a laptop, there’s one last step that works most of the time. System Restore is always a prison escape card when things went wrong. However, in addition to System Restore, Windows 10 offers advanced recovery options that are more convenient to use.
If you have a problem with your system and you are serious enough to disconnect your Wi-Fi connection completely, try one of the recovery options listed below.
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Step 10
System Restore in Windows 10
- Type recovery into the Windows search box and open Recovery.
- Click “Open System Restore”.
- Click “Next” in the dialog box.
- Select the desired restore point (where Wi-Fi worked).
- Click Next, and then click “Finish” to begin the restore process.
- Please be patient as the procedure can take some time.
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Step 11
In Windows 10, “Reset this PC” Steps
- Press Windows key + I to bring up the Settings app.
- Open the Updates and security section.
- In the left pane, select Recovery.
- Click on “Get Started”.
- Choose to preserve your data and restore your PC to its default settings.
That’s all. We hope you can solve the problem by using one of our recommended solutions.
Contact Official Customer Support
We have covered all the possible fixes for WiFi not working on laptop. Your problem should have been fixed by applying these troubleshooting methods. if you still facing this problem, it means there may be some hardware fault in the laptop like a network adapter may not be working. if this post has not been able to fix this issue then the best place to look for help would be your laptop manufacturer itself. Contact your laptop manufacturer like Dell Laptop Support, HP Laptop Support, Lenovo laptop Support, etc.
Tips To Avoid WiFi Not Working On Laptop
There could be many reasons for the technical glitch with your laptop or devices. Like any other electronic device, you need to take care of a few things that can help you avoid a certain problem. The same way you can ensure a few things to avoid WiFi not working on laptop. Please follow the below suggestions.
Final Words: Conclusion
Hopefully, this post helps you resolve WiFi not working on laptop. We have written this post with keeping in mind that a normal user could also fix the issue by themself. We have covered all the possible troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.
Do let us know if this guide has helped you. You can leave your comment about your experience. Please like & share this post to help others.