- Overview
- Terms and Definitions
- Steps
- Step 1 — Check Airplane Mode and Wireless Keys
- Step 2 — Confirm Adapter Detection
- Step 3 — Restart the Networking Stack
- Step 4 — Reinstall or Update Wi-Fi Drivers
- Step 5 — Forget and Reconnect to the Network
- Step 6 — Check Wireless Radio and Antenna Health
- Step 7 — Run Built-In Troubleshooting Tools
- Step 8 — Reset Power and Firmware Controllers
- Verification
- Conclusion
Overview #
When your laptop cannot detect Wi-Fi networks or shows “No connections available,” the cause is usually a disabled adapter, outdated drivers, or incorrect network configuration.
This guide provides a step-by-step process to identify whether the issue is software-related, hardware-based, or due to interference—so you can restore a stable Wi-Fi connection quickly.
What you’ll learn
- How to confirm whether your wireless adapter is active
- How to reinstall and verify Wi-Fi drivers
- How to reset network settings on both Windows and macOS
- How to diagnose physical switch or firmware-related issues
Estimated time: 15–30 minutes
Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate
Terms and Definitions #
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| SSID | The name of a wireless network (Service Set Identifier) |
| Wireless adapter | The component (internal or USB) that allows Wi-Fi communication |
| Airplane mode | Setting that disables all wireless communications |
| DHCP | Protocol that assigns IP addresses automatically on a network |
| Network stack | Software layer handling TCP/IP connections and routing |
Steps #
Step 1 — Check Airplane Mode and Wireless Keys #
- Press Fn + F2, F3, or your laptop’s specific wireless toggle key (it usually shows a radio icon).
- On Windows, open the Network & Internet panel and confirm that Airplane Mode is off.
- On macOS, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and ensure Wi-Fi is turned on.
- If using a USB Wi-Fi adapter, ensure it’s plugged in and recognized.
Step 2 — Confirm Adapter Detection #
Windows PowerShell
Get-NetAdapter | Where-Object {$_.Status -ne "Up"} | Select-Object Name, Status, InterfaceDescription
Lists all network adapters and their operational status.
If your Wi-Fi adapter shows Disabled, re-enable it:
Enable-NetAdapter -Name "Wi-Fi"
macOS Terminal
networksetup -listallhardwareports
Locate the entry labeled Wi-Fi or AirPort and note the Device name (e.g., en0).
Then check status:
ifconfig en0
If no “status: active” line appears, the interface is off.
Enable it manually:
networksetup -setairportpower en0 on
Step 3 — Restart the Networking Stack #
Windows
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
These commands reset TCP/IP and rebuild network configuration files.
Reboot afterward.
macOS
sudo ifconfig en0 down
sudo ifconfig en0 up
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
This resets the interface and clears the DNS cache.
Replace en0 with your Wi-Fi device identifier if different.
Step 4 — Reinstall or Update Wi-Fi Drivers #
Windows
- Open Device Manager → Network adapters.
- Right-click your wireless card (Intel, Realtek, Broadcom, etc.) → Uninstall device.
- Restart the laptop — Windows will reinstall the default driver.
- Alternatively, download the latest version from your manufacturer’s website.
PowerShell check
Get-WmiObject Win32_PnPSignedDriver | Where-Object {$_.DeviceName -like "*Wireless*"} | Select DeviceName, DriverVersion
Confirms driver version.
macOS
Wi-Fi drivers are built into the operating system. Run:
softwareupdate -l
softwareupdate -i -a
This ensures all network firmware and kernel extensions are current.
Step 5 — Forget and Reconnect to the Network #
Windows
- Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks.
- Select the affected SSID and choose Forget.
- Reconnect manually and re-enter the password.
macOS
sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport -z
Flushes stored Wi-Fi networks.
Then open System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi and rejoin your network.
Step 6 — Check Wireless Radio and Antenna Health #
- If no networks appear at all, the wireless radio may be disabled or faulty.
- Try toggling Airplane mode off and on again to reinitialize the module.
- Use a USB Wi-Fi adapter as a temporary test — if it detects networks, your internal card or antenna cable may be disconnected.
- Avoid using metal cases or objects near the antenna area; interference can reduce range.
Step 7 — Run Built-In Troubleshooting Tools #
Windows
msdt.exe /id NetworkDiagnosticsNetworkAdapter
Launches the network adapter troubleshooter, which automatically resets configuration and checks hardware.
macOS
- Hold Option and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
- Select Open Wireless Diagnostics.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to analyze signal strength and interference.
Step 8 — Reset Power and Firmware Controllers #
Windows (EC reset)
- Shut down.
- Disconnect charger and battery (if removable).
- Hold Power for 15 seconds, reconnect, and boot.
macOS (SMC reset)
- Shut down.
- Hold Shift + Control + Option + Power for 10 seconds.
- Release and restart.
This clears stored power states and Wi-Fi firmware errors.
Verification #
| Check | Command | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|
| Adapter status | Get-NetAdapter or ifconfig en0 | Status = Up or Active |
| Network list | System Wi-Fi list | Local SSIDs visible |
| IP address | ipconfig or ifconfig | Valid IPv4 address assigned |
| Internet connectivity | ping 8.8.8.8 | Successful response |
If all checks pass, Wi-Fi detection and connectivity are restored.
Conclusion #
When a laptop fails to detect Wi-Fi, the issue often lies with a disabled adapter, corrupted driver, or cached network configuration.
By verifying the adapter, reinstalling drivers, and resetting the networking stack, you can restore connectivity on both Windows and macOS systems.
If your Wi-Fi remains undetected after all steps, the internal card or antenna cable may have failed and should be replaced or tested by a technician.
