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Windows 10 laptop won't connect to WiFi

Susan Goble 0 Reputation points
2026-03-08T20:52:54.23+00:00

Laptop still running Windows 10. Now it can't access the internet. What can I do to get my internet access back?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Internet and connectivity
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  1. AI answer

    2026-03-08T20:53:08.8866667+00:00

    Try these steps on the Windows 10 laptop in order and test Wi‑Fi after each step:

    1. Check Wi‑Fi and Airplane mode
    • Select the Network, Sound, or Battery icon on the right side of the taskbar.
    • Make sure Wi‑Fi is turned on.
    • Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane mode and ensure Airplane mode is turned off.
    1. Forget and reconnect to the Wi‑Fi network
    • Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi‑Fi > Manage known networks.
    • Select the current Wi‑Fi network and choose Forget.
    • Click the Wi‑Fi icon on the taskbar, select the same network, and reconnect by entering the password.
    1. Restart modem and router
    • Unplug the power cable from the router.
    • Unplug the power cable from the modem (and remove its battery if lights stay on).
    • Wait at least 30 seconds.
    • Reinstall the modem battery (if removed) and plug the modem back in; wait until its lights stabilize.
    • Plug the router back in and wait a few minutes until it fully starts.
    • Try connecting from the laptop again.
    1. Run the Network troubleshooter
    • Select Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
    • Select Status.
    • Scroll down and select Network troubleshooter.
    • Follow the on‑screen instructions and apply any fixes offered.
    1. Run network repair commands
    • Select Search on the taskbar, type command prompt.
    • Right‑click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator > Yes.
    • Run these commands in order, pressing Enter after each:
      • netsh winsock reset
      • netsh int ip reset
      • ipconfig /release
      • ipconfig /renew
      • ipconfig /flushdns
    • Restart the laptop and test Wi‑Fi.
    1. Check if the issue is only on this laptop
    • Try connecting another device (phone, tablet, or another PC) to the same Wi‑Fi network.
    • If other devices work, the problem is likely with the laptop; continue with the next steps.
    1. Uninstall and reinstall the Wi‑Fi adapter
    • Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
    • Expand Network adapters.
    • Right‑click the Wi‑Fi adapter and select Uninstall device.
    • Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device if available, then select Uninstall.
    • Restart the laptop; Windows will reinstall the adapter automatically.
    1. Use Network reset (last resort)
    • Select Start > Settings > Network & Internet.
    • On Windows 10, select Status > Network reset.
    • Select Reset now > Yes.
    • The PC will restart; reconnect to Wi‑Fi afterward.
    • Note: Network reset removes and reinstalls all network adapters and resets settings to defaults. VPN clients and virtual switches might need to be reinstalled or reconfigured.

    If none of these steps restore Wi‑Fi, the issue may be with the Wi‑Fi adapter hardware or the router itself and may require hardware diagnostics or service.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Vikki-T 5,620 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-03-09T07:43:32.6366667+00:00

    Dear Susan Goble, 

    Thank you for your question and for sharing the details into Microsoft Q&A Forum.  

    I understand it’s frustrating when a Windows 10 laptop suddenly can’t get online. At this point, I recommend that you review and try the steps provided in both the AI generated answer and the Independent Advisor’s answer on your thread. Those replies typically include the most relevant checks for this scenario. To help narrow this down, could you please share a bit more detail? 

    • Could you please share the laptop brand and exact model? 
    • What do you see on the Wi‑Fi icon/status: “Connected, secured (No Internet)”, “Can’t connect to this network”, or the Wi‑Fi list is empty? 
    • Do other devices on the same Wi‑Fi network currently reach the Internet? And can this laptop connect to a different network such as a phone hotspot? 
    • Did anything change shortly before the issue (Windows/driver update, VPN install, security software changes, new router/SSID, password change)? 
    • What Wi‑Fi adapter/driver is reported in Device Manager > Network adapters? 

    In the meantime, here are a few basic steps you can try: 

    1. Ensure the Wi‑Fi service is running 
    • Press Win + R, type services.msc, Enter. 
    • Find WLAN AutoConfig > Status = Running, Startup type = Automatic. 
    • If not running, start it; if it’s running, right‑click > Restart. 
    1. Disable/Enable the adapter  
    • Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, Enter. 
    • Right‑click your Wi‑Fi adapter > Disable; wait about 10 seconds > Enable. 
    1. Verify no unintended proxy is set 
    • Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. 
    • Ensure Use a proxy server = Off and Use setup script = Off. 
    1. Temporarily turn off VPN/security software 
    • If you use a third‑party VPN or security suite/firewall, temporarily disable it and test. 
    1. Try the other band or a phone hotspot 
    • If your router offers both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, try the other band. 
    • Alternatively, create a phone hotspot and see if the laptop connects and has Internet. 

    While my initial response may not fully resolve the issue, I truly appreciate your cooperation as we work together toward identifying the most effective solution. Thank you so much for your understanding. 

    I hope these checks help you restore Wi‑Fi on your Windows 10 laptop quickly and keep your day running smoothly. Wishing you a stable connection and a hassle‑free experience getting back online. 

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. 

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  3. DYARI BARHAM 34,266 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-03-08T21:31:20.24+00:00

    Hi ,

    I'm Dyari. Thanks for reaching out. I will be happy to assist you in this regard.

    If the steps provided by the Q&A Assist do not work for you, please right-click Start > Device Manager > Expand Network Adapters > Screenshot and post it back.

    Click Start > Type system information and hit enter > Screenshot and post it back so I can check and find the compatible network driver.

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