• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Technipages

Tutorials and fixes for smartphone, gadget, and computer problems

  • Topics
    • Android
    • Gaming
    • Hardware
    • Internet
    • iOS
    • MacOS
    • Office
    • Software
    • Windows
    • Definitions
  • Product Reviews
  • Downloads
  • About Technipages
Windows 11: How to Recover Missing Wi-Fi Adapter

Windows 11: How to Recover Missing Wi-Fi Adapter

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Madalina Dinita Leave a Comment

Your Wi-Fi adapter may sometimes vanish from your list of devices. If you open the Device Manager, your Wi-Fi adapter is unavailable under Network Adapters. This issue affects both Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices. Your machine simply says that you need to plug in a network cable to get back online. Let’s explore how you can troubleshoot this annoying Wi-Fi issue.

What to Do If Your Wi-Fi Adapter Keeps Disappearing

Run the Network Troubleshooter

Suppose your wireless driver got corrupted, or you’re running an outdated driver version. In that case, the option to connect to a Wi-Fi network may disappear. Update or reinstall your driver, and check if you notice any changes. But since the Wi-Fi adapter is not visible under Device Manager, you can run the Network Troubleshooter to automatically fix wireless-related issues.

Go to Settings, select System, and scroll down to Troubleshoot. Then, select Other troubleshooters, and run the Network Adapter troubleshooter.

Scan for Hardware Changes

Even though the Wi-Fi option is not available, you can still scan for hardware changes. Open the Device Manager, right-click on Network Adapters and select Scan for hardware changes.

Network-adapters-scan-for-hardware-changes

Go back to Wi-Fi and check if you can select your connection. Your computer should prompt you to enter your wireless password as if you’d never been connected to that network before. Enter your password and check if your device successfully connects to Wi-Fi.

Install Wi-Fi Adapter in Compatibility Mode

If the Wi-Fi adapter is still missing from your computer, go to your driver manufacturer’s website and download it on your computer. Then, right-click on the setup file and select Properties. Click on the Compatibility tab, run the program in Compatibility Mode, and wait until your machine installs the Wi-Fi driver.

For example, if your computer is equipped with an Intel wireless driver, go to Intel’s official webpage and download the correct driver for your hardware configuration.

Run the Winsock Reset Command

If the issue persists, try resetting your network settings and check if this method solves the problem.

To run this command, you need to log in with an admin account. Launch Command Prompt with admin privileges, and enter the netsh winsock reset command.

winsock-reset-command-prompt

Hit Enter to run the command. Restart your computer, and check if your Wi-Fi adapter is available now.

Conclusion

If your Wi-Fi adapter is missing from your Windows computer, run the Network Adapter troubleshooter. Then, open the Device Manager and scan the Network Adapters section for hardware changes. If the issue persists, install the Wi-Fi adapter in compatibility mode, and reset your network settings.

Did you manage to solve the problem and restore your Wi-Fi functionality? Which method worked for you? Comment down below.

You Might Also Like

  • How to Use Windows File Recovery to Recover Data
    How to Use Windows File Recovery to Recover Data
  • Fix: Missing Windows 10 Clock
    Fix: Missing Windows 10 Clock
  • Fix Microsoft XPS Writer Missing on Windows 10
    Fix Microsoft XPS Writer Missing on Windows 10
  • Fix Bluetooth Toggle Missing on Windows 10
    Fix Bluetooth Toggle Missing on Windows 10
  • What to Do if Windows Recovery Partition Is Missing
    What to Do if Windows Recovery Partition Is Missing
  • Missing the WiFi Icon - How to Fix It for Windows 10
    Missing the WiFi Icon - How to Fix It for Windows 10
  • Fix: Taskbar Icons Missing in Windows 11
    Fix: Taskbar Icons Missing in Windows 11
  • Windows 10 "Show or Hide Updates" Is Missing
    Windows 10 "Show or Hide Updates" Is Missing
  • Windows 10: Device is Missing Important Updates
    Windows 10: Device is Missing Important Updates

Filed Under: Windows Tagged With: Windows 10, Windows 11

Reader Interactions

Did this help? Let us know!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Windows 11: How to Fix Windows 11 Won’t Connect to a Network
  • What to Do When Firefox Won’t Load a Page
  • Chrome: How to Refresh Various Tabs Simultaneously
  • The Latest Foldable Phones – A Look At The Huawei Mate X2
  • Everything Announced at Google I/O 2022 That You Should Care About
  • How to Build the Best High-Spec PC for Your Budget
  • Google Shows Off Pixel 7 and Pixel Watch Ahead of Fall Launch
  • Windows 11: How to View Saved Passwords

Who’s Behind Technipages?

Baby and Daddy My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

You May Also Like

  • Windows 95/98
  • Microsoft Windows NT
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Windows Media Player (WMP)
  • Top 8 Itunes Alternatives for Windows

© Copyright 2022 Technipages · All Rights Reserved · Privacy