How to Fix a Laptop That Can’t Connect to Wi-Fi

Have you ever encountered a problem when your laptop won’t connect to Wi-Fi? If yes, then you are not alone.

Many laptop users are facing this problem, either due to setup errors, hardware issues, or network glitches. This problem can be very annoying, especially if you are working, studying, or surfing the internet.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can try to fix a laptop that won’t connect to Wi-Fi. In this article, we’ll discuss some steps you can take to resolve this issue. We will also provide some tips to prevent this problem from happening again in the future.

Step 1: Check Your Laptop’s Wi-Fi Settings

The first step you should do is check your laptop’s Wi-Fi settings. Your laptop’s Wi-Fi settings may have changed or turned off accidentally. To check your laptop’s Wi-Fi settings, follow these steps:

• Click the network icon in the bottom right corner of your laptop screen. These are usually wave-shaped or triangular.
• Make sure that your laptop’s Wi-Fi is turned on. If not, click the Wi-Fi button to turn it on.
• Make sure that your laptop is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. Otherwise, click on the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to and enter the password if prompted.
• Make sure that the Wi-Fi network you choose has a strong signal. If the signal is weak, try moving to a location closer to your router or Wi-Fi access point.

If your laptop’s Wi-Fi settings are correct, but your laptop still can’t connect to Wi-Fi, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Restart Your Laptop and Router

The second step you can try is to restart your laptop and router. Restarting this device can help resolve temporary issues that may cause your laptop to not connect to Wi-Fi. To restart your laptop and router, follow these steps:

• Turn off your laptop by pressing the power button or selecting the shutdown option from the start menu.
• Turn off your router by unplugging it from the wall outlet or pressing the power button if available.
• Wait about 30 seconds for the device to completely turn off.
• Restart your router by reconnecting the power cord to a wall outlet or pressing the power button if available.
• Wait about 5 minutes for your router to turn on fully and connect to the internet.
• Restart your laptop by pressing the power button or selecting the turn on option from the start menu.
• Try reconnecting your laptop to the desired Wi-Fi network.

If restarting your laptop and router fixed the problem, then congratulations! You can already connect to Wi-Fi again. If not, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Update Your Laptop’s Network Card Driver

The third step you can try is to update your laptop’s network card drivers. A driver is software that controls how hardware works with the operating system. Network card drivers are drivers that control how your laptop communicates with Wi-Fi networks. If your laptop’s network card drivers are outdated, corrupted, or incompatible, then your laptop may not be able to connect to Wi-Fi.

To update the drivers of your laptop’s network card, you can use two ways, namely manually or automatically. Here is an explanation of both ways:

• Manual way: You will need to find and download the network card driver of your laptop from the website of your laptop manufacturer. You should make sure that the drivers you download match the model and version of your laptop. You should also make sure that the drivers you download are compatible with your laptop’s operating system. Once you have downloaded the correct driver, you need to install it by following the given instructions. This manual method requires considerable technical skills and knowledge, so it is not recommended for beginners or people who are not sure what they are doing.
• Automatic way: You can use third-party software that can help you scan, detect, and update your laptop’s network card drivers automatically. This software is usually easy to use and does not require high technical skills and knowledge. You just need to download and run this software, then let this software do its work. Some examples of third-party software you can use are  Driver Easy, Driver Booster, or Driver Talent.

If updating the network card driver of your laptop managed to fix the problem, then congratulations! You can already connect to Wi-Fi again. If not, continue to the next step.

Step 4: Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

The fourth step you can try is to run the Windows network troubleshooter. The Windows network troubleshooter is a built-in Windows feature that can help you diagnose and fix network problems that may occur on your laptop. To run the Windows Network Troubleshooter, follow these steps:

• Click the network icon in the bottom right corner of your laptop screen.
• Click the Troubleshoot problems option at the bottom of the window that appears.
• Wait until the Windows network troubleshooter scans and detects the problem present on your laptop.
• Follow the instructions provided by the Windows network troubleshooter to fix any issues found.

If running the Windows network troubleshooter manages to fix the problem, then congratulations! You can already connect to Wi-Fi again. If not, continue to the next step.

Step 5: Contact an Internet Service Provider or Professional Technician

The fifth and final step you can try is to contact an internet service provider or professional technician. If all the previous steps did not work to fix the problem, then most likely there is a serious problem happening to your Wi-Fi network, router, or laptop. This problem may require help from more expert and experienced people.

To contact your internet service provider, you can call their customer service number and describe the problem you’re experiencing. They may be able to provide solutions or suggestions to overcome the problem. They may also be able to send a technician to your home or office to check and repair your device or internet connection.

To contact a professional technician, you can find the nearest computer shop or repair shop in your area and take your laptop there. They may be able to check and fix your laptop’s problematic hardware or software. They may also be able to provide tips or recommendations to maintain the performance and condition of your laptop.

Tips to Prevent Laptop Can’t Connect to Wi-Fi

After successfully fixing a laptop that can’t connect to Wi-Fi, there are a few things you can do to prevent your laptop from connecting to Wi-Fi again in the future. Here are some tips you can apply:

• Make sure that your laptop always has the latest version of the network card driver and is compatible with your operating system. You can check and update your laptop’s network card driver periodically using the manual or automatic methods that we explained earlier.
• Make sure that your laptop always has the latest version of the operating system and is free of viruses or malware. You can check and update your laptop’s operating system regularly by using the Windows Update feature or Windows Update in the start menu. You can also run a trusted antivirus or antimalware program to scan and clean your laptop from possible threats.
• Make sure that your laptop always has enough battery and does not run out while you are using Wi-Fi. If your laptop battery runs out, then your laptop will die and disconnect from Wi-Fi. You can avoid this by always recharging your laptop battery before it runs out or using a power adapter when using Wi-Fi.
• Make sure that your router or Wi-Fi access point is always in good condition and not damaged or problematic. You can check and repair your router or Wi-Fi access point periodically by using the restart method we explained earlier. You can also clean any dust or dirt that may have accumulated on your router or Wi-Fi access point by using a soft cloth or soft brush.
• Make sure that the Wi-Fi network you use always has good speed and stability and is not disturbed by other factors. You can check and improve the speed and stability of your Wi-Fi network by using several ways, such as:
  • Choosethe Wi-Fi channel that best suits your frequency and location. You can change your Wi-Fi channel by going to the settings of your router or Wi-Fi access point and selecting the most optimal channel.
  • Use a Wi-Fisignal booster to extend the range and quality of your Wi-Fi signal. You can buy and install Wi-Fi signal boosters in places where the signal is weak or non-existent, such as the corners of the room, upstairs, or outside the house.
  • Avoid physical obstructions or obstacles that could block or weaken your Wi-Fi signal, such as walls, doors, windows, mirrors, metal, electronic equipment, or other wireless devices. You can avoid this obstacle by placing your router or Wi-Fi access point in an open, high, and free of interference.

By applying the tips above, we hope you can prevent your laptop from being able to connect to Wi-Fi again in the future. We also hope that this article was useful to you and helped you solve the problem you are facing. Thank you for reading this article to the end. Good luck!