How to Fix a Missing Wi-Fi Option in Windows 11

If you find yourself in a situation where the Wi-Fi option has disappeared from your Windows 11 PC, it can be frustrating and disruptive. However, this issue is often easier to resolve than you might think. Here are several steps and methods to help you restore your Wi-Fi connectivity.

Restart Your PC

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the most effective. A quick restart can often resolve temporary glitches that might be causing the Wi-Fi option to disappear.

• Press the Sleep (Power) button once to put your device into sleep mode, then press the Power button again to wake it up and check if the Wi-Fi is restored.
• If that doesn’t help, go to Start > Power > Restart to reboot your computer.

Run the Internet Connection Troubleshooter

Windows 11 has built-in troubleshooters designed to fix common network issues.

• Press Win + I to open Settings.
• Open the System tab in the left pane.
• In the right pane, scroll down and click Troubleshoot.
• Under Options, click Other troubleshooters.
• Click Run for Network and Internet.
• Windows will launch the troubleshooter and show the issues that Windows can troubleshoot. Click Troubleshoot my connection to the Internet and apply any recommended fixes[2][3][4].

Enable the Wi-Fi Adapter in Network Connections

If the Wi-Fi adapter is disabled, it won’t show up in your network settings.

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type ncpa.cpl and click OK to open the Network and Sharing Center.
• Click Change adapter settings to view all the installed network devices.
• Right-click the Wi-Fi adapter and select Enable. If it is already enabled, try disabling and then re-enabling it[1][3][4].

Update the Network Adapter Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause issues with your Wi-Fi.

• Press the Win key, type device manager, and open it from the search results.
• In the Device Manager, expand the Network adapters section.
• Right-click on your Wi-Fi device and select Update driver.
• Select Search automatically for drivers. Windows will scan for new drivers and install them if available[2][3][4].

Configure the Network Adapter Power Management Settings

Power management settings can sometimes cause your Wi-Fi to malfunction.

• Open Device Manager and expand Network Adapters.
• Right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter and select Properties.
• Open the Power Management tab and uncheck the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power option.
• Click OK to save the changes and restart your computer to see if the issue is resolved[3][4].

Enable the WLAN AutoConfig Service

The WLAN AutoConfig service is crucial for wireless network connections.

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type services.msc and click OK.
• Locate the WLAN AutoConfig service, right-click on it, and select Properties.
• Set the Startup type to Automatic and ensure the Service status is Running. Click OK to save changes and restart your PC[2][3][4].

Reinstall the Network Adapter Driver

Reinstalling the network adapter driver can often resolve common issues.

• Open Device Manager and expand the Network Adapters section.
• Right-click the Wi-Fi device and select Uninstall device. Confirm the action.
• Once uninstalled, click Action in the Device Manager toolbar and select Scan for hardware changes. Windows will scan for missing but connected devices and reinstall the necessary drivers[1][3][4].

Manually Reinstall the Wi-Fi Device Driver

If the automatic method doesn’t work, you can manually install the driver.

• Open Device Manager and expand the Network Adapters section.
• Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Update Driver.
• Select Browse my computer for drivers.
• Choose Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
• Select the first driver in the list and click Next. Device Manager will start installing the selected driver. Once completed, check if your Wi-Fi is working[3][4].

Perform a Network Reset

If all else fails, you can perform a network reset to reset all network settings to their defaults.

• Open Settings and click the Network & Internet tab in the left pane.
• Scroll down and click Advanced network settings.
• Under More settings, click Network reset.
• Click Reset now and confirm by clicking Yes. Wait for your computer to restart and see if that fixes the problem[2][3][4].

By following these steps, you should be able to restore the Wi-Fi option on your Windows 11 PC. If the issue persists, it may be worth checking for any hardware issues or seeking professional help.