Wi-Fi is arguably one of the most valuable services these days, and even a single day without it can lead to several work setbacks for users across the world. The Wi-Fi adapter not working is a very common issue for Windows 10 users. As per the suffered users, their system was not able to detect the Wi-Fi connection recently, which was working fine before.
Today in this article, we are going to discuss every single detail about the Wi-Fi Adapter Not Working in Windows 10 issue. Once you follow the fixes given below, this connection issue will get resolved for you within no time. For more insights, go through the solution guide below:
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How to Fix the “Wi-Fi Adapter Not Working in Windows 10”?
Before we jump into the solutions, let’s take a quick look into the possible reasons that can trigger the Wi-Fi Adapter Not Working in Windows 10 issue.
- Improper adapter setting.
- Malfunctioning drivers.
- If the Adapter is physically damaged.
Now let’s begin with the solutions.
FIX 1: Use the Network Troubleshooter:
The first solution you can try when the Wi-Fi adapter is not working in Windows 10 is running the Network Troubleshooter. For doing the same, follow the steps given below:
- Firstly, launch the Settings window by pressing Windows + I altogether.
- Now inside the Settings App, navigate to Updates & Security, and then from the left-pane menu, click on Troubleshoot.
- Further on the right-pane menu, click on Additional troubleshooters -> Internet Connections and then select the Run the Troubleshooter button for the same.
- Complete the process by following the on-screen instructions.
- Once done, restart your computer and check whether the said issue got resolved or not.
FIX 2: Reset Network Adapters:
Another fix you can try for resolving the Wi-Fi adapter is not working in Windows 10 issue is resetting the Network Adapter. Before moving forward with that, keep in mind that the process can erase saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth connections; thus, note them separately before proceeding.
For resetting the Network Adapters, follow the steps given below:
- On your desktop screen, right-click over the Windows icon and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) options from the sub-menu.
- Now inside PowerShell, copy + paste the following commands,
netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew
and make sure you press Enter after each of them.
- Lastly, restart your computer and check for progress.
FIX 3: Update the Network drivers:
As per a few suffered users, when they updated their Network Drivers, the Wi-Fi adapter is not working in Windows 10 issue got resolved for them. You can also try the same by following the steps given below:
- On your desktop screen, right-click over the Windows icon and select the options Device Manager from the context menu.
- Now inside the Device Manager window, expand the Network adapters section and locate your Wi-Fi Adapter.
- Now right-click over it and then select the option Update driver from the sub-menu.
- On the next prompt, click over Search automatically for drivers, and once your system finds a new driver, it will automatically install it and will further prompt a restart.
Or, in case the latest drivers are already installed into your system, you might end up with the option Search for updated drivers on Windows Update; thus, make sure that your click on it.
- It will further redirect you to the Windows Update section. Here click on the option View optional updates (you will only see this option if your system has any pending updates).
- Now locate the drivers you want to install and then click on the Install button below.
Note: You can only update the Network drivers if you have an Ethernet cable connection along with your Wi-Fi. If the situation does not suit you, download the necessary drivers from a second device or computer.
- For finding the most suitable driver, navigate to the manufacturer’s website of your Network adapter and here locate drivers for your Network adapter.
- Here you can also check some Wi-Fi adapters to seamlessly blend with your Windows 10 infrastructure.
- Further, download the drivers, transfer them to your computer, and then begin with the installation process.
- Or you can also use a dedicated tool that will automatically update your driver without taking much time and effort.
At last, check whether the said issue got resolved or not.
FIX 4: Reinstall the Network Adapter:
If updating the Network drivers does not help you, then reinstall the Network Adapter and check whether it helps or not. For doing so, follow the steps given below:
- On your desktop screen, right-click over the Windows icon and select the options Device Manager from the context menu.
- Now inside the Device Manager window, expand the Network adapters section.
- Further, locate your Network Adapter, right-click over it and select the options Uninstall Device.
- Now follow the on-screen instructions and complete the process.
- Lastly, restart your computer and Windows your automatically install the missing driver during the process.
If it does not happen, install the Network adapter driver as described in the 3rd Fix.
FIX 5: Perform a registry tweak with Command Prompt:
As per some users, when they performed a registry tweak with Command Prompt, the Wi-Fi adapter is not working in Windows 10 issue got resolved for them. For doing so, follow the steps given below:
- Firstly, go to the desktop search bar, type cmd, and launch the Command Prompt window. Make sure you launch it with administrator access.
- Now inside the Command Prompt window, type netcfg –s n and then press Enter.
- It will open a list of network protocols, drivers, and services. Here in the list, locate DNI_DNE. If you find it in the list, then in the same Command Prompt window, copy + paste the following commands,
reg delete HKCR\CLSID{988248f3-a1ad-49bf-9170-676cbbc36ba3} /f
netcfg -v -u dni_dne
and make sure you press Enter after each of them.
The following steps will fix the said issue. However, after entering the said commands, if you receive error 0x80004002, then here you require to delete the values differently. For doing so,
- Go to the desktop search bar, type Regedit, and from the search results, open Registry Editor.
- Now navigate to the following path,
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/CLSID/{988248f3-a1ad-49bf-9170-676cbbc36ba3}
- And further if DNI_DNE exists again, delete it.
FIX 6: Change the Adapter settings:
If the Wi-Fi adapter is not working in Windows 10 issue still does not get resolved for you, try changing the Adapter settings and check whether it helps. For doing so, follow the steps given below:
- Firstly, go to the Start button, type Control Panel and launch the relevant search result.
- Now inside the Control Panel window, navigate to Network and Sharing Center, and then from the left-pane menu, click on Change adapter settings.
- Further, right-click the wireless adapter and then select the option Properties.
- On the next prompt, untick the checkbox for the option Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and then click on OK.
- Finally, restart your computer, and the said issue would have got resolved by now.
FIX 7: Reset your Router:
A few suffered users have claimed that after resetting their Router, the Wi-Fi adapter is not working in Windows 10 issue got resolved for them. You can also try the same and for doing so, follow the steps given below:
Note: Before you proceed with the steps, take notes on the present configuration, as it might come in handy while reconfigure it in the future.
- Firstly, Locate the Reset button on the back of your device, press and hold it for 10 seconds and once you see the SYS led start flashing quickly, release the button.
This solution seems so simple, but resetting the Router can do wonders.
FIX 8: Update the router firmware:
Updating the Router firmware is a complicated process; however, it can help you in resolving the Wi-Fi Adapter not working in Windows 10 issue. If you want to proceed with the solution, you can follow the steps given below:
- Firstly, connect the Router with your computer with the help of an Ethernet Cable.
- Now launch a web browser and then type the IP address or the link of the Router. The IP address would be similar to 192.123.0.9.
- Further, type the username and password (given by the manufacturer). You can find it on the bottom of your device, in the manual, or the one that you have used the last time.
- Now navigate to the Firmware section, find the version number and then note it down. (In some routers, you can locate the firmware number in other menus, so make a deep search until you find it. In few routers that have a Check button, it will directly take you to the manufacturer’s firmware update page.
- Further, navigate to the manufacturer Support page, locate the latest firmware and then download it.
- Now navigate back again to the router interface in the Firmware section and here locate the Choose file or Browse tabs which will further let you add the firmware you’ve downloaded.
- Let the process complete on its own and do not interfere in between.
Make sure you follow the correct process with the utmost care, as a wrong step can lead your Router to some permanent and irreversible damage.
FIX 9: Switch to the Maximum Performance mode:
You can also switch to the Maximum performance mode and check whether it helps in resolving the Wi-Fi Adapter not working in Windows 10 issue or not. For doing so, follow the steps given below:
- Firstly, go to the desktop search bar, type Power management, and from the search results, launch the option Power & Sleep.
- Now under the Related Settings section, navigate to Additional Power Settings.
- On the next Power Options window, firstly locate your current plan and then click on Change plan settings -> Change advanced power settings.
- Further, locate Wireless Adapter Settings and then set the Power Saving Mode to Maximum Performance.
- Finally, click on Apply -> OK.
Even though the solution will fix the said issue, it will put some extra pressure on your device, making your laptop battery last lesser than usual.
FIX 10: Clear any Wi-Fi signal disruptions:
If none of those mentioned above fixes work for you, check if any other appliance in your home or office is interrupting your Wi-Fi signals. If yes, consider relocating it.
Wi-Fi is an important part of our day-to-day life, and if it goes out of service, it can hamper a lot of important work. We hope the 10 fixes mentioned in the article above will help you in resolving the Wi-Fi Adapter Not Working in Windows 10 issue.
At the end of this article, we hope that all the information mentioned here will prove helpful and relevant for you. If you have any queries or feedback, please write down the comment in the below comment box.