Wi-Fi option missing or no networks found | Windows 11

Check this first

The short answer

Inspect Airplane mode and any model-specific wireless switch, then the actual wireless adapter in Device Manager. If Wi-Fi can be enabled but no networks appear, compare another device’s Wi-Fi list and WLAN AutoConfig. If the adapter itself is absent, check detection and the manufacturer’s model-specific driver.

Record whether Settings → Network & internet contains Wi-Fi or only the network list is empty.
Look for the actual wireless adapter in Device Manager → Network adapters.
Compare a phone’s Wi-Fi list in the same place; cellular access does not test Wi-Fi visibility.

Choose your next check

Start with the row that matches your situation. Change one setting at a time so you can tell what helped.

What you see	What to compare	Go to
Quick Settings has no Wi-Fi button but Settings does	Open Wi-Fi in Settings and check its switch and list.	Step 1
Wi-Fi is absent from Network & internet settings	Check Airplane mode, hardware switch and adapter detection.	Step 2
Wi-Fi turns on but zero networks appear	Compare the same SSID on a phone and inspect WLAN AutoConfig.	Step 3
Device Manager has no wireless adapter	Check detection after restart and the correct manufacturer driver.	Step 4

Check in this order

Continue this issue

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Step 1: Separate a missing control from an empty network list

Save work. Open Quick Settings through the taskbar network, sound or battery icon and look for Wi-Fi. Even if its button is absent, inspect Start → Settings → Network & internet.
If Wi-Fi exists, open it and check whether it is on. In Quick Settings, the arrow beside Wi-Fi opens the network list; use its refresh button once if available. If Settings has no Wi-Fi entry, continue to Step 2.
Inspect Settings → Network & internet → Airplane mode and switch it off for Wi-Fi use. For models with a physical wireless switch or key, compare its state with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Expected result or what you learned: If networks appear, select your usual SSID and connect. A missing Quick Settings button alone does not establish an adapter fault.
If something is wrong or unclear: If Wi-Fi is absent or cannot be enabled, use Step 2. If it is on with an empty list, use Step 3.
How to undo changes: Restore recorded Airplane mode or hardware-switch settings if needed after the comparison; keep Airplane mode off when using Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Read the wireless adapter’s Device Manager state

Right-click Start → Device Manager → Network adapters. Identify the actual Wireless, Wi-Fi or 802.11 adapter. Ethernet, Bluetooth and WAN Miniport entries alone do not establish Wi-Fi hardware detection.
Right-click that adapter. Select Enable device only if that command is offered. If the menu offers Disable device, it is already enabled; do not choose that command as a troubleshooting step.
For a yellow warning, open Properties → General and record Device status and its code, plus Driver date and version. The code alone does not prove hardware failure. If no wireless device appears, use Step 4.

What the result means and what to do next

Situation	What it tells you	Next action
Enable device is offered	The adapter may be disabled.	Enable it and inspect Wi-Fi again; an empty list belongs in Step 3.
A wireless adapter has a warning	Windows reports a device problem without identifying the failed part.	Record its model/code and check a compatible driver in Step 4.
The adapter is enabled without warnings	Windows recognizes the wireless device.	For absent controls or an empty list, inspect the service in Step 3.
No wireless adapter, or no Network adapters category	This view does not confirm wireless-device detection.	Use Step 4; do not yet conclude it is physically broken.

Expected result or what you learned: Enabling a disabled adapter restores Wi-Fi controls and networks; record the before/after state and test a connection.
If something is wrong or unclear: For a warning, missing adapter or unchanged controls, follow the matching entry in the result table.
How to undo changes: If an intentionally disabled adapter was enabled only for comparison, Disable device restores that state but also removes Wi-Fi access.

Step 3: Compare another device, frequency bands and WLAN AutoConfig

Enable Wi-Fi on a phone in the same location and look for your SSID. This is separate from whether cellular internet works. If the phone also cannot see it, inspect router power and wireless status. Restarting a router disconnects others, so check with them first.
If the phone sees networks but the PC lists none, press Windows + R, enter services.msc and inspect WLAN AutoConfig. Restart it if running or Start it if stopped, then reopen the list. This can interrupt wireless connections. Record any start error; do not guess at other services or startup settings.
If other networks appear but only your home SSID is absent, compare its 2.4GHz/5GHz band with the PC adapter’s official supported bands. Do not treat one missing SSID as the same symptom as zero networks.

Expected result or what you learned: If the SSID appears after the service or router check, select it and connect. If all devices lacked it, investigate the router rather than resetting Windows.
If something is wrong or unclear: If the service cannot start or only the PC still lists nothing, record adapter state/errors and use Step 4. A listed network with No internet needs the separate connected-but-offline guide.
How to undo changes: Restarting a service does not change its configured settings. Restore any temporary router or radio-setting changes and recheck affected devices.

Step 4: Recover detection or inspect a change after an update

Save work and use Start → Power → Restart. Recheck Device Manager. For a USB Wi-Fi adapter, compare direct connection and another port; for an internal adapter, recheck any physical wireless switch.
Record the PC/adapter model and Windows 11 support. Use another device or Ethernet to obtain its compatible wireless driver from the manufacturer, save the package locally and follow model-specific installation instructions. Restart and recheck detection. Consult the administrator on a managed PC.
Only if the adapter appears, the issue began after an update and Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver is available, record the version/date and compare the retained previous driver after restarting. If unavailable or the device is absent, that action cannot be used. Ask the manufacturer about continued non-detection.

Expected result or what you learned: The adapter and Wi-Fi entry return; also verify the SSID list and actual connection.
If something is wrong or unclear: For persistent absence or warnings, provide model, error code, update date and direct/other-port results to the manufacturer.
How to undo changes: Restore the USB adapter’s previous port if needed. If rollback causes another problem, reinstall the saved compatible official package and compare again.

When to ask for help

Provide Settings visibility, zero networks versus one missing SSID, phone comparison, Device Manager name/status/code, update time and PC model. Do not remove the adapter before obtaining an offline driver package. Network reset can require VPN and virtual-switch setup again and is not the first step for this symptom.

FAQ

Does a missing Quick Settings button mean the adapter is broken?

No. Check Wi-Fi in Settings and adapter detection/enabled state separately.

Should I reinstall the driver if only my home SSID is missing?

If other networks appear, first compare router broadcasting and frequency support. A detected adapter does not need immediate removal for this symptom.

What if Wi-Fi appears but says No internet?

Compare the same websites on another device using the same Wi-Fi. If several devices fail, prioritize the router or service; if only the PC fails, investigate its connection settings.

Report an error in this guide

Sources

English adaptation retaining the Japanese guide’s comparisons, steps, result tables and restoration conditions. Official guidance supports the Windows controls; diagnostic comparisons are editorial guidance, not proof of a particular hardware fault. Consult the administrator before changing a managed PC or network.

Microsoft: Wi-Fi connection issues and missing controls Microsoft: network list and refresh scan Microsoft Learn: wireless connectivity and WLAN AutoConfig Microsoft: Device Manager error codes