Start with the simplest fixes first
Most WiFi connection problems on a PC come from something you can fix in under five minutes: the WiFi is turned off in software, the router needs to be restarted, or your PC is trying to connect to the wrong network. Before you assume the hardware is broken, check these three things in order.
First, make sure WiFi is actually enabled on your computer. On Windows 10 and 11, click the network icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar (it looks like a WiFi symbol or a computer screen). If you see "WiFi" listed but it says "Off" or shows a red X, click it to turn it back on. On older Windows versions, look for a physical WiFi button on your keyboard — it may have a small airplane symbol and require you to hold the Fn key while pressing it.
Second, restart your router. Unplug it from power, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This clears out temporary problems that prevent new devices from connecting. While you wait for it to restart (usually two to three minutes), move to the third step.
Third, forget the network and reconnect. Open your WiFi list again, find your network name, right-click it, and select "Forget". Then select the network again and re-enter your WiFi password. Typos in passwords are the single most common reason a PC appears to connect but then when ready disconnects.
Key Takeaways
- Check that WiFi is turned on in Windows settings and that a physical WiFi switch on your keyboard is not disabled.
- Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, which fixes most temporary connection problems.
- Forget your network and reconnect with your password re-entered carefully, since typos cause most failed connections.
- If your PC sees no networks at all, your WiFi adapter may be disabled in Device Manager and needs to be re-enabled there.
- If other devices connect but your PC does not, the problem is usually your PC's network settings, not your router.
Check Device Manager if your PC sees no networks
If you open your WiFi list and see no networks at all — not even your own — your WiFi adapter may be disabled in Windows. This is different from WiFi being turned off; it means Windows has disabled the hardware itself.
Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager". Look for "Network adapters" and click the arrow next to it to expand the list. You should see an entry with "Wireless" or "802.11" in the name. If there is a small down arrow or red X on that entry, right-click it and select "Enable device". Windows will take a few seconds to turn it back on, and your network list should appear.
If you do not see a wireless adapter listed at all, your WiFi hardware may not have a driver installed. Check the manufacturer's website for your PC model (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc.) and read the WiFi driver for your exact model number. Install it and restart your computer.
Verify your router is broadcasting and in range
If your PC sees some networks but not yours, your router may not be broadcasting your network name, or you may be out of range. Move your PC closer to the router — within 15 to 20 feet — and try again. If your network appears, the problem is distance or obstacles like walls and metal objects blocking the signal.
If your network still does not appear even when close to the router, log into your router's settings. Open a web browser on any device connected to that router and go to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 (your router manual will tell you which). Log in with your admin password. Look for a setting called "SSID broadcast" or "Hide network" and make sure it is enabled. If it was disabled, enable it, save, and restart the router.
Some routers broadcast on two frequencies at once: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Older PCs may only see the 2.4 GHz network. If you see a network name ending in "-5G" but not your main network, your router may be set to broadcast only on 5 GHz. Change it to broadcast on both, or connect to the 5 GHz network if your PC supports it.
Update or reinstall your network driver
If your PC sees the network but cannot connect, or connects and then when ready disconnects, your WiFi driver may be outdated or corrupted. A driver is the software that tells Windows how to talk to your WiFi hardware.
Open Device Manager again, find your wireless adapter under "Network adapters", right-click it, and select "Update driver". Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software". Windows will check for a newer version online. If one is found, install it and restart your computer.
If updating does not work, try uninstalling and reinstalling. Right-click the adapter, select "Uninstall device", and check the box that says "Delete the driver software for this device". Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver when it starts up. This often fixes connection problems that updating alone does not solve.
Check if another device can connect to your router
Before you spend time troubleshooting your PC, confirm that your router itself is working. Try connecting a phone, tablet, or laptop to the same WiFi network. If other devices connect without trouble, the problem is specific to your PC, not your router or internet service.
If no devices can connect, or if they connect but have no internet, the problem is your router or your internet connection. Restart the router again and wait a full five minutes for it to fully boot up. If that does not work, check that the cable from your modem to your router is plugged in firmly on both ends. If you still have no internet, contact your internet service provider.
Disable power-saving mode on your WiFi adapter
Windows can put your WiFi adapter to sleep to save battery power. If your PC connects but then drops the connection every few minutes, this setting may be the cause.
Open Device Manager, find your wireless adapter, right-click it, and select "Properties". Click the "Power Management" tab. Uncheck the box that says "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power". Click OK and restart your computer. This keeps your WiFi adapter always active and prevents it from disconnecting when Windows thinks you are not using it.
Perform a network reset if nothing else works
If you have tried all the steps above and your PC still will not connect, you can reset all of Windows' network settings to their defaults. This erases saved WiFi networks and passwords, so you will need to reconnect to everything afterward, but it often fixes stubborn connection problems.
On Windows 10, go to Settings, then "Network & Internet", then "Status". Scroll down and click "Network reset". On Windows 11, go to Settings, then "System", then "Recovery", and click "Reset now" under "Reset this PC". Choose "Keep my files" to avoid losing your documents. Windows will restart and rebuild its network drivers and settings.
After the reset completes, restart your computer again, open your WiFi list, select your network, and enter your password. Your PC should connect normally. If it still does not, the problem may be a hardware failure, and you should contact the PC manufacturer's support line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PC connect to WiFi but have no internet?
Your PC is talking to the router, but the router has no internet. Restart your modem (the device your internet comes through) by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If that does not work, check that the cable from the wall outlet to your modem is plugged in. If other devices have internet but your PC does not, the problem is your PC's network settings, not your router.
Can I use an ethernet cable instead if WiFi keeps failing?
Yes. Plug a network cable directly from your router into your PC's ethernet port (a rectangular slot on the back or side). This bypasses WiFi entirely and is more stable. You can use this while you troubleshoot the WiFi problem, or permanently if you prefer a wired connection.
What if my PC connects to WiFi but is very slow?
Move closer to the router. WiFi speed drops sharply with distance and obstacles. If you are already close, restart the router and check that no one else is downloading large files. If speed is still poor, your internet plan itself may be slow — contact your internet provider to check your connection speed.
Do I need to uninstall and reinstall Windows to fix WiFi problems?
No. Reinstalling Windows should be your last resort after trying every step above. Most WiFi problems are driver or settings issues that a network reset will fix. Reinstalling takes hours and erases your files unless you back them up first.
Why does my PC keep forgetting my WiFi password?
Windows may have saved an incorrect password. Forget the network, restart your router, and reconnect while typing your password very slowly to avoid typos. If you are not sure what your password is, check the sticker on the back of your router or log into your router's settings page to view or change it.