How to connect WiFi to computer after windows 11 reinstall

After a Windows 11 reinstall, Wi‑Fi usually fails because the wireless driver is missing, disabled, or misconfigured. Use these steps to get the PC back online.

1. Turn on Wi‑Fi in Windows

• Select Start > Settings > Network & internet.
• Make sure Wi‑Fi is switched On.
• If using a laptop or tablet, check for a physical Wi‑Fi button or function key and ensure it is enabled.

If the Wi‑Fi toggle is missing, continue with the next steps.

2. Confirm Windows sees the wireless adapter
3. Select Search on the taskbar, type Device Manager, and open Device Manager.
4. Expand Network adapters.
5. Look for a wireless adapter (its name usually includes “Wi‑Fi”, “Wireless”, or a vendor name like Intel, Broadcom, Realtek).
   • If it is not listed or shows a warning icon, the driver is likely missing or corrupted after the reinstall.
6. Reinstall the wireless network adapter driver

If the adapter appears but Wi‑Fi still does not work properly:

1. In Device Manager, under Network adapters, right‑click the wireless adapter and select Uninstall device.
2. Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device (if available), then select Uninstall.
3. Select Start > Power > Restart.
4. After restart, Windows will automatically search for and install a driver for the adapter.
5. When back in Windows, return to Settings > Network & internet and check if Wi‑Fi is now available and can see networks.

If Windows does not reinstall a working driver automatically, download the latest Wi‑Fi driver from the PC or motherboard manufacturer on another device, copy it to a USB drive, and install it on the Windows 11 PC.

4. If Wi‑Fi networks are not found

If the adapter is recognized but no networks appear and the icon shows No Internet:

1. Verify the Wi‑Fi is on in Settings > Network & internet and that the PC is within range of the router.
2. Check the router’s wireless band:
   • Some adapters only support 2.4 GHz; if the router is set to 5 GHz only, the PC will not see it.
3. Make sure the adapter is not filtering out the router’s band:
   1. Open Device Manager.
   2. Expand Network adapters, right‑click the wireless adapter, and select Properties.
   3. Go to the Advanced tab.
   4. Find a setting such as Wireless Mode or Band and ensure it allows the frequency (2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz) that the router is using.
4. Use Network reset as a last step

If drivers are installed and Wi‑Fi still will not work, reset all network components:

1. Select Start > Settings > Network & internet.
2. Select Advanced network settings > Network reset.
3. On the Network reset page, select Reset now > Yes.
4. The PC will restart, remove all network adapters, reinstall them, and restore default network settings.
5. After restart, reconnect to the Wi‑Fi network. Be aware that:
   • Any VPN clients or virtual switches (for example, from Hyper‑V) might need to be reinstalled or reconfigured.
   • Known networks may be set to Public profile; change them to Private if needed under network properties.

Following these steps after a clean Windows 11 installation restores the Wi‑Fi adapter driver, ensures the correct band is allowed, and resets any problematic network configuration so the PC can connect to the wireless network again.

References:

• Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows