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I need to install a wifi adapter ... for Windows 10

Anonymous
2025-04-19T19:04:57+00:00

I can't manage to post a screengrab of my network adapters list, but basically even when all hidden items are shown and so the list is pretty long, there is nothing with 'wifi' or 'wireless' in its name. So advising me to click on the thing that isn't there and update the driver and uninstall it or whatever, won't help.

Thank you!!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. EmilyS726 225.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-04-19T21:02:40+00:00

    I fear your device may not have the Wifi adapter (hardware part).

    This is the official specs for your model: https://i.dell.com/sites/csdocuments/Shared-Con... Note: This is not Microsoft website/URL, but it is the official OEM/manufacturer site.

    As you can see, wifi adapter is an optional feature for this model.

    To know for sure if the original owner opted to add this feature, you need to find the Service Tag (located on a sticker somewhere in the back), sometimes it just says ST, it is a combo of letter and number, if you find it, I can help you review further.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-04-19T20:58:06+00:00

    With the right-side-button on your mouse, click on the Windows "Start" button.

    Choose "Device Manager".

    Do you see any "unknown" devices?

    Do you see anything "Wifi" in the "Network" branch of the device tree?

    Do you have an external USB-to-WiFi adapter that is connected to a "known-good" USB socket on your computer? If so, try connecting that adapter to a different computer, to see if it is detected.

    Can you restart your computer, and enter BIOS SETUP?

    It is possible that the WiFi adapter is "disabled", such that Windows will not detect it. If so, enable it, save/exit from BIOS SETUP, and let Windows restart.

    Some notebook computers have a small "slider" switch, to disable/enable the WiFi. Other notebooks have a combination of keys, e.g., "ALT-plus-F4" to enable/disable.

    Thank you - it is just a regular desktop, so no handy switches of that nature unfortunately. No devices with 'unknown' or 'wifi' written next to them. I'm not sure how to enable something I can't see, that won't show up even when hidden devices are showing.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-04-19T20:55:28+00:00

    No, new device. (Well, I bought it refurbished.)

    Is this info any use to you??

    Thank you so much!!

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-04-19T20:39:44+00:00

    With the right-side-button on your mouse, click on the Windows "Start" button.

    Choose "Device Manager".

    Do you see any "unknown" devices?

    Do you see anything "Wifi" in the "Network" branch of the device tree?

    Do you have an external USB-to-WiFi adapter that is connected to a "known-good" USB socket on your computer? If so, try connecting that adapter to a different computer, to see if it is detected.

    Can you restart your computer, and enter BIOS SETUP?

    It is possible that the WiFi adapter is "disabled", such that Windows will not detect it. If so, enable it, save/exit from BIOS SETUP, and let Windows restart.

    Some notebook computers have a small "slider" switch, to disable/enable the WiFi. Other notebooks have a combination of keys, e.g., "ALT-plus-F4" to enable/disable.

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  5. EmilyS726 225.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-04-19T20:37:15+00:00

    Hello,

    Have you had Wifi functionality on this device before?

    Can you please type msinfo32.exe in the search on the taskbar and hit enter, then share a screenshot of the pop up please.

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