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How to Turn on Wi-Fi on a Windows 10 Computer in 3 Ways

Whether you’re at home, work, or out and about, chances are you’ll find a Wi-Fi network that you can connect to for internet access. Select the Network icon on the far right side of the taskbar. Try these steps to troubleshoot problems getting online Connect to a Wi-Fi network. Select the Network icon on the taskbar. The icon that appears depends on your current connection state. Choose Yes or No , depending on the type of network you’re connecting to and if you want your PC to be discoverable by other PCs and devices on the network.
Windows 11 Windows 10 More Choose the Wi-Fi network you want, then select Connect. Type the network password, and then select Next. Need more help? Expand your skills. Get new features first. Was this information helpful? Yes No. Thank you! Any more feedback? The more you tell us the more we can help. Can you help us improve? Resolved my issue. Clear instructions. Easy to follow. No jargon. Pictures helped. Didn’t match my screen. Incorrect instructions. Too technical. Not enough information.
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How to connect to a Wi-Fi network on Windows 10 | Windows Central
The only caveat is that you can only manage previously known networks since you cannot create new network profiles with this tool.
When you need to use Command Prompt to connect one or multiple computers to the same wireless network, you can export the network profile created automatically during the first connection.
Then you can import it using the netsh tool to connect using the command-line tool. Once you complete the steps, you can import the same XML file to connect other devices to the same network.
In the command, make sure to specify the location of the XML file and network interface name. In the command, specify the SSID and profile name that corresponds to your network. For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:.
Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. Windows Central Windows Central. Mauro Huculak. Type netsh winsock reset and select Enter. Uninstall the network adapter driver and restart. Windows will automatically install the latest driver.
Consider this approach if your network connection stopped working properly after a recent update. Before uninstalling, make sure you have drivers available as a backup.
Select Search on the taskbar, type device manager , and then select Device Manager from the list of results. After your PC restarts, Windows will automatically look for and install the network adapter driver. Check to see if that fixes your connection problem.
If Windows doesn’t automatically install a driver, try to install the backup driver you saved before uninstalling. Check if your network adapter is compatible with the latest Windows Update. If you lost your network connection immediately after upgrading to or updating Windows 11, it’s possible that the current driver for your network adapter was designed for a previous version of Windows. To check, try temporarily uninstalling the recent Windows Update:.
If uninstalling the most recent update restores your network connection, check to see if an updated driver is available:.
To learn how to hide updates, see Hide Windows Updates or driver updates. If you could successfully install updated drivers for your network adapter, then reinstall the latest updates. Using network reset should be the last step you try. This can help solve connection problems you might have after upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows It can also help to fix the problem where you can connect to the internet, but can’t connect to shared network drives.
Network reset removes any network adapters you have installed and the settings for them. After your PC restarts, any network adapters are reinstalled, and the settings for them are set to the defaults. Network reset might set each one of your known network connections to a public network profile. In a public network profile, your PC is not discoverable to other PCs and devices on the network, which can help make your PC more secure.
Under Network profile type , select Private. Wi-Fi adapter manufacturers might have different advanced settings you can change based on your network environment or connection preferences. In Device Manager, select Network adapters , and then double-click the network adapter name.
Select the Advanced tab and look for a Wireless Mode setting. Windows uses the Wi-Fi profile to save the settings that are needed to connect to a Wi-Fi network. These settings include the network security type, key, network name SSID , and so on. To fix this, remove or “forget” the network connection, then reconnect to the network.
When you forget a network connection, it removes the Wi-Fi network profile from your PC. Select Wi-Fi , then select Manage known networks. Afterwards, select the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar and try to reconnect to the network to renew the network connection. For more info, see Wi-Fi problems and your home layout. There may be additional troubleshooting steps you can try, depending on which symptoms you’re having. To view these steps, check out Wi-Fi connection icons and what they mean.
Setting up a wireless network. How to find your wireless network password. Analyze the wireless network report. Wi-Fi tools and apps. Make a Wi-Fi network public or private in Windows.
Afterwards, see if a Wi-Fi network you recognize and trust appears in the list of networks. Under Change your network settings , select Network troubleshooter. In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt. In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager , and then select Device Manager from the list of results. If you lost your network connection immediately after upgrading or updating Windows 10, it’s possible that the current driver for your network adapter was designed for a previous version of Windows.
This can help solve connection problems you might have after upgrading from a previous version of Windows to Windows Under Network profile , select Private. Afterwards, select the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar and try to reconnect to the desired network to renew the network connection. Check for additional symptoms for the “No internet connection” icon.
Make a Wi-Fi network public or private in Windows Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, select Settings , then select the Network icon. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then select Settings. Select the Network icon, and then select Hidden network. The network will be added to your list of networks and will be available to connect to when your computer is in range of the network. To connect to the network, follow these steps:.
Open Connect to a Network by selecting the network icon in the notification area. Select Unnamed Network , select Connect , and then type the network information. The network will be added to your list of networks and will be available to connect to in the future when your computer is in range of the network..
Let Windows try to help you fix the problem. Try running the Network troubleshooter to see if it can diagnose and fix the problem. Select the Start button, start typing Network problems , and then select Identify and repair network problems in the list.
The Network Troubleshooter mentioned above can help diagnose and fix common connection problems. After using that, try running the network commands below because the combination of doing these two things can help you get connected.
Select the Start button, start typing cmd , right-click Command Prompt in the list, select Run as Administrator , and then select Yes. At the command prompt, run the following commands in the listed order and then check to see if that fixes your connection problem:.
This helps create a new connection to your Internet service provider ISP. So if you unplug the modem and lights stay on, remove the battery from the modem. If it is, contact your ISP. At the command prompt, type ipconfig. Look for the IP address listed next to Default gateway. For example, The result should be something like this: Reply from Try using the Network Adapter troubleshooter to automatically find and fix some problems.
A broadband Internet connection is a high-speed Internet connection. You can get a broadband connection by contacting an Internet service provider ISP. ISPs frequently offer broadband modems. You can also find these at computer or electronics stores, and online. Wireless router. A router sends info between your network and the Internet. With a wireless router, you can connect PCs to your network using radio signals instead of wires. Wireless network adapter. A wireless network adapter is a device that connects your PC to a wireless network.
To connect your portable or desktop PC to your wireless network, the PC must have a wireless network adapter. Most laptops and tablets—and some desktop PCs—come with a wireless network adapter already installed.
Select Start , type device manager in the search box, and then select Device Manager. After you have all the equipment, you’ll need to set up your modem and Internet connection.
If your modem wasn’t set up for you by your Internet service provider ISP , follow the instructions that came with your modem to connect it to your PC and the Internet. If you’re using cable, connect your modem to a cable jack. Put your wireless router somewhere where it will receive the strongest signal with the least amount of interference.
For better results, follow these tips:. Place your wireless router in a central location. Place the router as close to the center of your home as possible to increase the strength of the wireless signal throughout your home.
Position the wireless router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects , such as metal file cabinets. The fewer physical obstructions between your PC and the router’s signal, the more likely that you’ll be using the router’s full signal strength.
Reduce interference. Some networking equipment uses a 2. This is the same frequency as most microwaves and many cordless phones. If you turn on the microwave or get a call on a cordless phone, your wireless signal might be temporarily interrupted.
You can avoid most of these issues by using a cordless phone with a higher frequency, such as 5.
Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows
Gone are the days of having to hook up a cord to your computer and telephone line, only to browse the internet at a snail’s pace. These days, not only is it possible to go browse the web at super fast speeds without any wires, it’s actually the most popular way to get online. Wi-Fi capabilities are a feature on pretty much every computer on the market these days, and turning Wi-Fi on is the quickest and easiest way to get online on your Windows computer. If you’re running Windows 10 , your Wi-Fi adapter is likely already enabled.
If it’s not, or if you’ve accidentally disabled it in the past, and can’t figure out how to get it back, don’t worry. Here’s how to get up and running on WiFi in no time. First of all, see if there’s a Wi-Fi button on your keyboard — it’ll have a picture of waves coming off of a circle or line. This is common on laptops, and will likely require you to press the Fn key and one of the numbered F keys at the top of the keyboard.
Look to the lower-left corner of your computer screen. On the toolbar, there may be a Wi-Fi icon, which resembles a radio signal transmitting upwards. If it isn’t there, click the upwards facing arrow to see if it’s grouped with the other icons not on your toolbar. Click on the Wi-Fi icon on your toolbar, then click again on the larger Wi-Fi box that appears in the pop-up menu to turn Wi-Fi on.
Once turned on, connect to any Wi-Fi network you prefer, so long as you have the password. Click the Windows button and type “Settings,” clicking on the app when it appears in the search results. Click on the Wi-Fi option in the menu bar on the left side of the Settings screen.
Connect to any WiFi network you prefer, granted you know the network password. More Button Icon Circle with three horizontal dots. It indicates a way to see more nav menu items inside the site menu by triggering the side menu to open and close. Smart Home. Social Media. Jennifer Still. Facebook Icon The letter F. Email icon An envelope. It indicates the ability to send an email. Share icon An curved arrow pointing right. Twitter icon A stylized bird with an open mouth, tweeting.
Twitter LinkedIn icon The word “in”. LinkedIn Fliboard icon A stylized letter F. Flipboard Facebook Icon The letter F. Facebook Email icon An envelope. Email Link icon An image of a chain link. It symobilizes a website link url. Copy Link. Redeem now. There are three ways to turn on Wi-Fi on Windows 10 : with a keyboard command, through the Wi-Fi menu, or through the Settings app.
Turning on Wi-Fi is the easiest way to connect your Windows PC to the internet, and if you don’t have an ethernet connection, it’s likely the only way. When Wi-Fi is turned on, you’ll be able to connect to any available network, so long as you know the password.
Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories. Jennifer is a writer and editor from Brooklyn, New York, who spends her time traveling, drinking iced coffee, and watching way too much TV. You can find her on Twitter at jenniferlstill.
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Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows.Connect to a Wi-Fi network in Windows
Resolved my issue. Clear instructions. Easy to follow. No jargon. Pictures helped. Didn’t match my screen. Incorrect instructions. Too technical. Not enough information. Not enough pictures. Facebook Icon The letter F. Email icon An envelope. It indicates the ability to send an email. Share icon An curved arrow pointing right. Twitter icon A stylized bird with an open mouth, tweeting. Twitter LinkedIn icon The word “in”. LinkedIn Fliboard icon A stylized letter F.
Flipboard Facebook Icon The letter F. Facebook Email icon An envelope. Email Link icon An image of a chain link. It symobilizes a website link url. Copy Link. Redeem now. See the documentation for your device for instructions. Set up a security key password for your network. Wireless networks have a network security key to help protect them from unauthorized access.
See the documentation for your router for more detailed info, including what type of security is supported and how to set it up. In Windows 7 or Windows 8. Select Set up a new network , then choose Next.
The wizard will walk you through creating a network name and a security key. Write down your security key and keep it in a safe place.
You can also save your security key on a USB flash drive by following the instructions in the wizard. Use a firewall. A firewall is hardware or software that can help protect your PC from unauthorized users or malicious software malware. Running a firewall on each PC on your network can help control the spread of malicious software on your network, and help protect your PCs when you’re accessing the Internet.
Windows Firewall is included with this version of Windows. Select the Network or Wifi icon in the notification area. In the list of networks, choose the network that you want to connect to, and then select Connect. If you have problems with your Wi-Fi network when using Windows 10, see Fix Wi-Fi problems in Windows for advanced troubleshooting info. Choose the network that you want to connect to, and then select Connect. If you have problems with your Wi-Fi network when using Windows 11, see Fix Wi-Fi problems in Windows for advanced troubleshooting info.
Windows 11 Windows 10 Windows 7 Windows 8. Type the security key often called the password. Follow additional instructions if there are any. Need more help? Join the discussion. Was this information helpful? Yes No. Thank you!