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running win 11 pro (build 26200) on a ryzen 5 and recently noticed that whenever i turn on my vpn in settings, the wifi icon in the taskbar instantly changes to the wired network icon. connection works fine tbh but its kinda weird seeing a lan icon when im strictly on wifi. anyone else getting this lately?
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Hi, good day!
Yes, this behavior can occur on newer Windows 11 builds when a VPN creates a virtual network adapter that Windows identifies as an Ethernet connection. As a result, the taskbar may display the wired/LAN icon instead of the Wi-Fi icon, even though the device is still connected through Wi-Fi. I also experience the same behavior when connecting my laptop to our VPN. Since the connection works normally, this is usually harmless and only affects the network icon display.
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Windows can only "see" the immediate connection. It cannot see beyond that first connection. If your route to the internet included some kind of wireless connection - it could be through a 5G/4G/LTE router, a WiFi or Point-2-Point microwave link, Satellite link or similar, Windows is not able to see that, only what it's first, direct connection.
The VPN connection creates a virtual network adapter. This is identified as a cabled connection, rather than looking at the current "transport" connection to a network (WiFi or cabled). So when you activate the VPN, Windows sees your network connection through this interface. So to Windows your connection is a cabled connection, even though you connect over WiFi.
It could be nice to have a third VPN icon to signify that connection to be active, but Microsoft has not decided to do just that yet.
AI answer
This behavior is a cosmetic/UI issue rather than a connectivity problem.
In Windows 11, the network icon in the taskbar reflects the active logical network interface. When a VPN is enabled, Windows may represent the VPN tunnel as a wired (Ethernet-like) connection, even if the underlying physical connection is Wi‑Fi. As long as:
then this is not a fault with the Wi‑Fi adapter or driver, just how Windows chooses to display the active network path.
If any real connectivity issues appear (no internet, missing Wi‑Fi, etc.), use the built-in tools:
These steps reset adapters and network configuration if the icon behavior ever coincides with actual connection problems.
References:
