How to enable and configure Wi-Fi on a laptop

Many users are often faced with the need to connect to the Internet via a wireless network, and this is especially necessary, for example, while on a beach holiday, where this method of communication is practically the only way to look into the World Wide Web to communicate with friends, relatives or just surf. At the same time, various problems often arise during the establishment of a connection, as a result of which the team of our publication decided to make a detailed guide on how to enable and configure Wi-Fi on a laptop without resorting to the help of third-party specialists.

Wi-Fi activation by various methods

Before trying to turn on Wi-Fi, it is advisable to find out if the appropriate module is installed in the laptop, which can be found in the attached instructions or in the proprietary technical support service. If this transmitter is not included in the package, then according to our experts, the only way to connect via a wireless network is to purchase an internal or external «Wi-Fi» adapter.

Moreover, this device will become indispensable for communication of a stationary computer with free Internet distributed by «good» neighbors, or for organizing joint payment for one tariff for several people.

If the Wi-Fi module is installed, then you must first check its performance by clicking on the «Network» icon near the Windows system clock, after which a list of connections will be displayed with the inscription «Wireless Network Disabled», so you need to activate it in the «Network Control Center» , which will be discussed next.

If this item is not in the list, you should try turning on Wi-Fi using the «Fn + F1 … F12» button combination, which differs depending on the laptop model, and you can visually determine the desired button by the presence of an image on it of a special icon that indicates wireless net.

Further, it is advisable to look for a physical Wi-Fi activation button on the device itself, which can be located on the side or bottom panel.

Often the reason for the lack of display of the module in question is its deactivation in the «Network and Sharing Center», and you can fix this problem by executing the «ncpa.cpl» command through the window called by the «Win + R» key combination, where you should click «RMB» on the «Wireless network» icon and select «Enable».

If all the above methods did not help, then it remains to look for faults through the «Device Manager», which you can go to by making the appropriate request through the search bar of the Start menu. Here, in the «Network adapters» section, it is enough to right-click on the name with the words «Network Adapter» and click «Enable» if the icon is highlighted in gray, but if a yellow exclamation mark is displayed next to such an icon or there is simply an inscription «Unknown device «, you will need to install software that can be downloaded from the official website of the manufacturer or through third-party platforms, such as «Driver Pack Solution».

According to our experts, it is important to understand that after performing all the above manipulations, the absence of a Wi-Fi module in the «Device Manager» list may indicate that it is broken or disabled through the «BIOS», in which it is better not to change the settings yourself without a certain qualification in order to avoid failure of the laptop hardware due to incorrect settings. As a result, at this stage, we recommend contacting computer equipment repair specialists or using the very first method described in this material, especially since the price of the issue is less than calling the master.

How to set up a connection

If you managed to turn on the Wi-fi adapter, you can start setting up the connection itself, for which you need to click «LMB» on the icon in the system tray, and then select the desired Wi-Fi network name from the list. At the next stage, by clicking on the name, you need to click «Connect», after which the system will request the security key that the owner of the router sets, and then you will be prompted to make the computer visible on the network or refuse it.

It is advisable to enable the latter option when planning to use shared folders to exchange files with other clients of this network, but if the connection takes place in a public place, for example, in a restaurant, then it is better to refuse this function, due to the possible copying of important information from the user’s laptop by strangers.

If everything is done correctly, the connection status will change to «Connected», after which Internet access will appear.

Solving common problems

Many users sometimes encounter unusual difficulties when setting up Wi-fi, as a result of which our experts decided to consider the most common such situations.

1. 1. the wireless module can be enabled in various ways described above, but if the Internet is unavailable, you should first check the operating system for malicious software, for example, on the website
      https://www.drweb.ruand then it is advisable to reinstall the browser to reset all settings

       

1. 1. sometimes the required network disappears in the connection list due to the inclusion of a special hidden mode function on the router, but if you know its data, then you need to click «Connect» in the «Hidden network» section, after which you will need to accurately enter the name and password

       

1. 1. in case of losing the password from your router, you should not worry, since you can quickly access it by finding the «WPS» function button, which can be located anywhere on the modem case. After pressing it and holding it for about three seconds, this connection will appear on the laptop, in which you will need to enter the factory password, usually written on the body of the device, but if it is not there, you can press «WPS» once again, after which passwordless login with access to modem settings

       

1. 1. laptop owners often notice a constant interruption in communication with the router after the laptop has been idle for several minutes, as a result of which they have to constantly manually reconnect the connection, which is extremely inconvenient. According to our experts, the main cause of this problem is the enabled power saving mode, and to fix this, you need to go to the «Device Manager» by creating a request in the «Start» menu, click «RMB» — «Properties» on the icon of the required device in the «Network Adapters» section «, select the «Power Management» tab and uncheck «Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power». After these manipulations, the problem should disappear, but it happens that this happens due to hardware malfunction or incorrect drivers.

       

Thank you for your attention, we hope the information from our material helped you!