Having trouble with your Windows 10 Wi-Fi not turning on? Discover how to fix “Windows 10 Wi-Fi won’t turn on” in this guide. From restarting your computer to resetting network settings, this comprehensive guide provides step-by-step solutions to resolve the issue.
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“Windows 10 Wi-Fi won’t turn on” problems can be very upsetting, especially when you are in the middle of an important task or trying to enjoy some leisure time online. If you find yourself in this predicament, don’t worry because there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
This blog post explores the common causes behind the “Windows 10 Wi-Fi won’t turn on” problem and the practical solutions. So let’s dive in and get you back online ASAP.
If your Windows 10 Wi-Fi doesn’t turn on, you can try several effective solutions. Here are some ways to fix the problem:
1. Check Whether the Wi-Fi Switch or Button Is On
The first step should always be to check whether your device’s Wi-Fi switch or button is turned on. Many often overlook this simple yet important step, but it can resolve the “Windows 10 Wi-Fi won’t turn on” issue.
Look for the physical Wi-Fi switch on your computer. It is usually located on your laptop’s front edge or above the keyboard. Once you find it, make sure it is enabled.
2. Check Airplane Mode
Airplane mode disables all wireless connections, including Wi-Fi. So if your Windows 10 Wi-Fi doesn’t turn on, you might want to verify whether Airplane mode is enabled on your laptop. To check Airplane mode, you need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Action Center by clicking the speech bubble icon in the taskbar’s bottom right corner.
Step 2: In the Action Center, look for the Airplane mode. If the Airplane mode is enabled, the button will appear blue.
Step 3: Click the Airplane mode button to turn it off. Wait for a few seconds.
Step 4: Finally, check if your PC detects the Wi-Fi network.
3. Restart Your Computer
Restarting your computer is another simple method that will fix Wi-Fi connection problems in no time. Here’s how to restart your computer:
Step 1: Click the Start menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button.
Step 3: From the power options menu, select Restart.
Step 4: Wait for your computer to shut down and boot up again.
Step 5: Check if the Wi-Fi turns on once the computer has restarted.
4. Forget the Saved Wi-Fi Network
If none of the above solutions works, you can also forget the saved Wi-Fi network. Forgetting the saved network and reconnecting to it can help solve Wi-Fi connectivity problems. Here’s how you can forget the Wi-Fi network:
Step 1: Click the Wi-Fi icon at the taskbar’s bottom right corner.
Step 2: In the list of available Wi-Fi networks, right-click on the network you want to forget.
Step 3: Click Forget.
Step 4: Once the network is forgotten, click the Wi-Fi icon again.
Step 5: Select the same network from the list and enter the password.
Step 6: Reconnect to the network.
5. Update the Network Adapter
Outdated or incompatible drivers may be why Windows 10 Wi-Fi won’t turn on. To fix this issue, you must update them to the latest version to ensure compatibility and optimal performance. Here’s how to do that:
Step 1: Click Start.
Step 2: You should type devmgmt.msc in the search bar.
Step 3: The devmgmt. msc application will appear in the search window.
Step 4: Click on it to start the Device Manager.
Step 5: Locate the Network Adapter section and expand it.
Step 6: Look for your Wi-Fi device driver and right-click on it.
Step 7: Next, hit Update Driver Software.
Step 8: A new window will open with two options. The first one will ask whether you would like to search for the best driver for your device automatically. The second one will ask if you would like to manually locate and install the driver.
Step 9: Select the first option, and Windows will search for the best and latest driver.
Step 10: After the driver is found, Windows will allow you to select and install it.
Step 11: Check if your Wi-Fi issue is resolved.
6. Uninstall the Network Adapter
Uninstalling the network adapter will remove the existing faulty drivers and allow Windows to reinstall it, potentially fixing Wi-Fi won’t turn on the problem. Follow the below steps to do that:
Step 1: Click on the Start button.
Step 2: Type devmgmt.msc in the search bar
Step 3: Click on the devmgmt.msc to launch the Device Manager window.
Step 4: Locate and expand the Network Adapter to view the list of the Wi-Fi device drivers.
Step 5: Right-click on your Wi-Fi device driver.
Step 6: Select Uninstall.
Step 7: Wait for the uninstallation process to complete.
Step 8: Restart your computer.
Step 9: Windows will automatically reinstall the driver upon startup.
7. Run the Network Troubleshooter
Sometimes, running the network troubleshooter can help identify and fix Wi-Fi connectivity problems. Here’s how to run the network troubleshooter:
Step 1: Click on the Start button.
Step 2: In the search bar, type troubleshoot.
Step 3: Select the Troubleshoot system setting.
Step 4: Next, click Additional Troubleshooter.
Step 5: Select Internet Connections and then click Run the troubleshooter.
Step 6: If the issue is not fixed, hit the Network Adapter.
Step 7: Click Run the troubleshooter.
Step 8: If the troubleshooter fixes your Wi-Fi issue, check if it turns on without any problem.
8. Check Whether WLAN AutoConfig Service Is Enabled
If the WLAN AutoConfig service is disabled, perhaps that’s why your Windows 10 Wi-Fi won’t turn on. To enable WLAN AutoConfig Service, follow these steps:
Step 1: Click on the Start button.
Step 2: In the search bar, type services.msc to open the Services window.
Step 3: Scroll down and locate the WLAN AutoConfig in the list of services.
Step 4: Right-click the WLAN AutoConfig and click properties.
Step 5: If you notice that the WLAN service is Stopped, click Start.
Step 6: Set the Startup type to Automatic.
Step 7: Hit Apply, then Ok to save the changes.
9. Reset Network Settings
If you’ve tried the various troubleshooting steps mentioned and your Wi-Fi still won’t turn on, try resetting the network settings. Here’s how you can do this:
Step 1: Click on the Start button.
Step 2: Next, click Settings.
Step 3: In the Settings window, select Network & Internet.
Step 4: Locate the Advanced Network Settings and click Network Reset.
Step 5: Click Reset Now and then hit Yes.
Step 6: Windows will now reset your network settings.
Step 7: After the reset, your computer will restart automatically.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve successfully fixed the “Windows 10 Wi-Fi won’t turn on” problem by now. If the issue reoccurs, remember to start will simpler solutions like checking the physical Wi-Fi switch and verifying Airplane mode settings. However, if those don’t resolve the problem, just move on to more advanced troubleshooting steps, such as updating the network adapter, running the network troubleshooter, or resetting network settings.
