Laptop wifi not working can mean no wifi icon at all, a list with no networks, "Connected, no internet", or a connection that drops every few minutes. A very common version is that wifi works on the phone but not on the laptop, which tells you the router and the internet plan are fine.
That gives you a clear direction. We first rule out the laptop's own switches, then the network adapter and its driver, then the saved network and Windows network stack. If every device in the house is offline, jump to WiFi not working, which covers the router side.
The same fault is searched as "wifi not working in laptop", "wifi adapter not working" or "internet not working on laptop". Windows 7 users get "wifi is not working in laptop" too, and the steps below apply to them with different menu names. If you are on a wired link instead, "ethernet not working" is covered in the cable section further down.
Common causes
1Airplane mode or wireless key is on
How to tellAn aeroplane icon replaces the wifi icon, or the wifi toggle is greyed out
What fixes itTurn off airplane mode and press the wireless key if your laptop has one
2WiFi adapter disabled
How to tellNo wifi entry in Network connections, or it shows Disabled
What fixes itRight-click the adapter in Network connections and choose Enable
3Driver outdated or broken after an update
How to tellWifi stopped after a Windows update, or Device Manager has a yellow mark
What fixes itRoll back or reinstall the network adapter driver
4Saved network profile is corrupt
How to tellPhone connects to the same wifi but laptop says it can't connect
What fixes itForget the network, restart and connect again with the password
5IP or DNS trouble
How to tellConnected, no internet; other devices on the same wifi work
What fixes itRun the network reset commands or the built-in network troubleshooter
6Weak signal or 5 GHz not supported
How to tellNetwork not listed while the phone sees it close to the router
What fixes itMove closer, and check the router for a separate 2.4 GHz name
7Failed wifi card
How to tellNo adapter anywhere, including in the BIOS or Device Manager hidden devices
What fixes itTechnician replaces the wifi card, or use a USB wifi adapter
How to fix it, step by step
Switch airplane mode off and check the wifi key
Click the network icon at the bottom right, make sure Airplane mode is off and Wi-Fi is on. Some laptops also have a wireless key with an antenna drawing on the top row, sometimes used with Fn. Press it once and watch the icon.
Restart the laptop and the router
Restart the laptop with the Restart option. Then switch off the router at the wall, wait about thirty seconds, and switch it on again. Give the router two minutes to settle before testing.
Forget the network and connect again
Open Settings, then Network and internet, then Wi-Fi, then Manage known networks. Choose your network and Forget. Connect again and type the password carefully; case matters. Never share the password with strangers.
Run the network troubleshooter
Look for Troubleshoot in the Start search, then run the Network and Internet item from the other troubleshooters. It can restart a stuck adapter and tell you if the problem is the adapter or the connection.
Enable the adapter and update the driver
Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl and press Enter. Right-click Wi-Fi and choose Enable if it is greyed. Then open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your wireless adapter and choose Update driver.
Roll back the driver or reinstall it
If wifi died after an update, use the Driver tab in the adapter's Properties and pick Roll Back Driver. If rollback is not offered, choose Uninstall device and restart. If the laptop has no internet to fetch a driver, use a wired cable or your phone's USB tethering. See USB tethering if that fails.
Reset the network stack
Open Settings, then Network and internet, then Advanced network settings, then Network reset. This removes saved wifi networks and re-installs adapters, so note your wifi password first. On Windows 10 the same option sits under Network and internet, then Status.
Check power saving and the band
In the adapter's Properties, open Power Management and untick the option that lets the computer switch off the device to save power. If your router has two names, one for 2.4 GHz and one for 5 GHz, try the 2.4 GHz one, which reaches further.
Laptop wifi not working while the phone connects
This single clue narrows things a lot. A phone connecting proves the router, the internet and the password are fine. So the fault is the laptop's adapter, driver, saved profile or a setting. Compare the signal bars at the same spot, as an older laptop with a weaker antenna may need to sit closer. A very old laptop may only support the 2.4 GHz band, so it will not see a 5 GHz name at all.
Your phone shows the home wifi with full bars, but the laptop lists no networks. You open Network connections and find the Wi-Fi adapter set to Disabled. Enabling it brings the list back.
Connected but no internet on the laptop
The laptop joined the wifi but cannot reach websites. Test by opening a few sites and checking whether the phone has the same problem. If the phone also fails, the internet line is down, and you should read internet not working. If only the laptop fails, try the network troubleshooter, then restart the router. As a last resort in Windows, open a Command Prompt window that has administrator rights, then enter ipconfig /flushdns, which only clears saved name lookups and is safe.
Ethernet cable and port problems
If you use a LAN cable, try a different cable and a different router port first. Check the little lights on both ends. In Network connections, make sure the Ethernet adapter is enabled and not showing "Network cable unplugged". A port that works with a second laptop but not yours points to the laptop's own port, which a technician can test. The USB side of connections has its own guide at USB port not working.
On Windows 11, the sharing options for a home network can also act up after an update, which people search as network sharing not working. Check that the network profile is Private and that sharing is turned on in Advanced network settings.
Windows 11, Windows 10 and Windows 7 differences
The path in Settings changes but the fixes do not. Windows 7 laptops use the Network and Sharing Center and may have a wireless switch on the side. If a Windows 7 laptop cannot connect to a newer router, the router may be using a newer security mode the old driver does not know. Updating the driver from the maker's support site, or switching the router to a mixed security mode, can help.
When the wifi card needs replacing
If the adapter vanishes from Device Manager and does not return after a restart and a BIOS reset, the small wifi card inside may have worked loose or failed. A technician can reseat or swap it, which is usually an inexpensive job; price depends on the card type and how hard the base is to open. A USB wifi adapter is a fast workaround while you wait.
Do not install driver packs from unknown sites. Stick to Windows Update or the official download page for your exact model.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my laptop wifi not working but my phone connects?
The router and internet are fine, so the problem is on the laptop: airplane mode, a disabled adapter, a driver fault or a bad saved profile. Forget the network and reconnect first. This wifi working on phone not laptop pattern is the easiest to fix.
How do I fix wifi not working on Windows 10 laptop?
Turn off airplane mode, run the network troubleshooter, update or roll back the adapter driver, then use Network reset if it still fails.
Why is the wifi icon missing on my laptop?
The adapter may be disabled or its driver missing. Check Network connections and Device Manager, and run Windows Update.
What is a wifi adapter and can it fail?
It is the small card or chip inside the laptop that talks to the router. Yes, it can fail, but drivers cause far more problems than the hardware.
Is it a router problem if only one laptop cannot connect?
Usually not. If other devices connect fine, the fault is that laptop. Restart the router once anyway, and test the laptop on a phone hotspot to confirm.