Some of the Windows 10 users are reporting to have an issue with the WiFi Network not showing up on Windows 10. Now, this error can happen because of many reasons, starting from an old/incompatible WiFi driver to a set of faulty registry. The problem can come from two sources- The WiFi hardware/computer hardware is the causing the problem or the problem is happening because of some software bug. Let’s keep reason aside and focus on the fixes for this problem-
Before proceeding for the fixes you can restart your computer and look if the WiFi network is showing up. If the error is still there, then try these fixes-
Here’s a simple solution: 1. Click the Start button, right-click the cog icon that would normally lead to the Settings apps, then click More and “App settings”. Finally, scroll down in the new window until you see the Reset button, then click Reset. Settings reset, job done (hopefully). OS is Windows 0 Professional. Amarnath Wanchoo -Updated -The news is good but not for any activity on my part. Just as the the WiFi availability had disappeared from the Desktop all of a sudden, it appeared again this morning in a similar way. The feature Windows 10 update was downloading when it appeared.
Fix 1- Enable the network driver
If your WiFi network is not visible on your Windows 10, it is happening perhaps because of the WiFi driver on your computer is disabled. Enabling the network driver can fix your problem. Follow these steps to enable the network driver –
1. In order to open the Run window, simply press “Windows key” and ‘R‘ keys together.
2. Now, you need to type “ncpa.cpl” in the Run window and then hit Enter.
This will open Network Connections of Control Panel
2. Right-click on the WiFi driver you are using and click on “Enable“. The WiFi driver will be enabled just in time.
Close Network Connections and reboot your computer. See, if your computer is showing the WiFi network. If you still cannot see the WiFi network, go for the next fix.
Fix 2 – Automate the WLAN AutoConfig service
WLAN AutoConfig is a Windows service that detects and connects to a wireless network. Now, sometime this service is not started automatically, which can cause the error. Follow these steps to automate the WLAN AutoC0nfig service.
1. At first, you need to press ‘Windows key‘ and the ‘R‘ key on your computer.
2. To open the Services window, type “services.msc” and click on “OK“.
2. Scroll down to find the “WLAN AutoConfig” service. Now, double click on it, and the “WLAN AutoConfig Properties” window will be opened.
3. Now click on drop-down menu beside the option”Startup type:” and select “Automatic“.
4. Click on “Apply” and then on “Ok“.
Reboot your computer and try to connect with your WiFi.
If it still is there then go for this next fix.
Fix 3 – Update the WiFi network driver
Your WiFi is not showing up because of the old/incompatible network driver may be installed. Updating your WiFi driver may solve the problem. Follow these steps to update your WiFi-
1. As the first step, all you have to do is press ‘Windows key+X‘ and then click on “Device Manger“.
Device Manager utility will open.
2. In the Device Manager window, locate”Network Adapters” in the list of drivers. Expand the section.
3. Now, from the drop-down select the driver which you are using, right-click on it and click on “Update driver“.
4. After doing so, when “How do you want search for the drivers?” prompt appears, simply click on “Search automatically for updated driver software“.
Now, Windows will search for updates for the WiFi device on your computer.
Reboot your computer.
Check if you are able to connect with the WiFi network.
Fix-4 Switching OFF and ON your router
Many a time rebooting your router can help you to connect with your network. Your Internet Service Provider assigns a temporary IP address to your router, which changes in a regular interval. If your router doesn’t cope with the changed IP it will not be able to connect with the internet and also it will not be shown on the computer. Switching OFF and ON your router can help this process-
1. Switch OFF your router with the manual switch.
2. Unplug your router from the electric socket.
3. Wait for a minute or two.
4. Plugin your router.
5. Switch the router ON.
Check if your Windows is able to discover the network. If the issue still persists then go for the next fix.
Fix-5 Deleting Registry Entries with Command Prompt
Some corrupt registry entries can be the cause for which you are not finding the WiFi network on your computer. Deleting those registry keys with command prompt can solve your problem-
1. Type “cmd” in the Search box.
2. Right-click on the “Command Prompt” and then click on “Run as administrator“.
Command Prompt window will appear in administrative mode.
2. Copy and Paste this following command in Command Prompt and hit Enter.
3. Copy and Paste this in Command Prompt and press Enter. Wait till the process is completed. Close the Command Prompt.
Reboot your computer and see if the WiFi network is visible to you. If you are still facing the same problem, then go for the next fix.
Fix-6 Check if the necessary services are running
WiFi discovery on your computer requires the same essential services to be running behind. If these essential services are not running, you will not be able to discover the WiFi network on your computer. To check that essential services are running follow these steps-
1. As the first step to open the Services utility is to type “Services“.
2. Now, click on “Services” that will arrive in the elevated search result.
2. Look for these two services “Windows Event Log” and “WindowsUpdate” and check if their Status is “Running“.
3. Also, check if the “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)” is Running.
Windows 10 Wifi Settings Not Showing Up
4. If any of these 3 services are stopped/disabled/not running, right-click on it and click on “Start“.
Close Services window and Restart your computer.
Check if you can discover WiFi network on your computer.
Sambit is a Mechanical Engineer By qualification who loves to write about Windows 10 and solutions to weirdest possible problems.
Summary :
This tutorial explores some solutions to help you fix WiFi settings are missing in Windows 10 or Surface device. To deal with other issues of your Windows computer, MiniTool software is professional. This software producer giant designs professional data recovery software, hard drive partition manager, system backup and restore software, etc. for users.
Generally you can connect to a wireless network on your Windows 10 computer or Surface laptop. But if the WiFi settings are missing in Windows 10, you can’t connect to a wireless network.
At the beginning, you can click Start -> Settings -> Network & Internet, and check if the WiFi option is listed in left pane. If you can’t find the WiFi settings in Network & Internet settings, then you may try the solutions below to fix the WiFi settings are missing Windows 10 or Surface error.
Fix WiFi Settings Missing Windows 10 or Surface - 4 Ways
Tip 1. Restart Your Windows 10 or Surface Computer
The first simple move you can take is to restart your computer. Restarting computer can generally fix minor problems of your computer.
Windows 10 Wifi Settings Not Showing Up Windows 10
You can click Start -> Power -> Restart to let your computer restart. After it restarts, you can click Start -> Settings -> Network & Internet to check if WiFi settings are visible now.
Tip 2. Update Windows 10
Some WiFi connection problems may be caused by outdated or incompatible Windows components. You can perform a Windows update to install the latest Windows updates on your computer.
- You can click press Windows + I to open Windows Settings.
- Click Update & Security -> Windows Update. And click Check for updates button to check and install available new Windows updates.
- After that, you can restart your computer and check if the WiFi settings are missing Windows 10 error is fixed.
Tip 3. Run Windows Network Troubleshooter
If you are facing the WiFi settings missing error in Windows 10 or Surface, you can run Windows Network troubleshooter to see if it can help fix this error. Windows Network troubleshooter helps fix many network connection problems.
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Where Is My Wifi Settings Windows 10
You can click Start -> Settings -> Update & Security -> Troubleshoot. Scroll down in the right panel to find Internet Connections and click it. Then click Run the troubleshooter button to start to diagnose and fix detected internet problems.
Tip 4. Check If WiFi Is Available in Device Manager
If WiFi is mistakenly disabled in Device Manager, then the WiFi settings are missing on your Windows 10 or Surface device. You can check if WiFi is available in Device Manager by following the instructions below.
- Press Windows + X, and select Device Manager to open Device Manager in Windows 10 or Surface.
- Click Network adapters category to expand it. Check if the wireless network adapter or network controller is listed.
- Double-click the wireless network adapter or network controller, click Driver tab, and click Disable Device. Then you can click Enable Device, and this will restart the network adapter or controller.
- Restart your computer, and check if the WiFi settings are missing problem has been fixed.
Windows 10 Wifi Not Showing Up In Network Settings
Conclusion
Windows 10 Wifi Hotspot
Hope one of 4 ways can help you fix WiFi settings missing problem in Windows 10 or Surface. If you have better solution to fix this issue, please do not hesitate to share with us.