How to Connect to a WiFi Network on a Laptop
- Place your laptop somewhere close enough to the router (to ensure sufficient signal strength).
- On your laptop, click the network icon in the notification area (at the lower-right corner of your screen).
- Click the network you’re going to connect.
- Choose the network by its SSID (the name of a network). If you don’t know the name, check your router or ask the administrator of this network.
Why is my laptop not connecting to WiFi?
- Select the Start button, then type settings . Select Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Under Other, select Network Adapter > Run.
- Follow the steps in the troubleshooter and see if that fixes the problem.
How do I get wireless internet on my laptop?
- Do one of the following, depending on which version of Windows is running on your PC: In Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, select Start, start typing Network and Sharing Center, ...
- Select Set up a new connection or network.
- Select Set up a new network, then choose Next.
How to connect your Windows 10 PC to the Internet?
To import a Wi-Fi profile on Windows 10, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
- Type the following command to determine the name of the network adapter and press Enter: netsh wlan show interfaces
- Confirm the name of the adapter that will connect to the network.
How to connect your laptop to a router?
Using A Laptop as a Wired Router in Windows 10 and Windows 8
- Open the Settings menu in Windows 10.
- Select Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot from the left menu.
- Toggle Share my Internet connection with other devices to on.
- Turn on the Wi-Fi on the other device and search for networks.
- Join the network created by your laptop. ...
How do I hook my laptop up to the wireless Internet?
How to Manually Connect to a Wi-Fi Network on Windows 10From the Windows desktop, navigate: Start. ... From the Related settings section, select. Network and Sharing Center. ... Select. Set up a new connection or network. ... Select. Manually connect to a wireless network. ... Enter or configure the following info then select. Next. ... Select.
Why my laptop is not connecting to Wi-Fi?
Select the network adapter, select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software, and then follow the instructions. After installing the updated driver, select the Start button > Power > Restart if you're asked to restart, and see if that fixes the connection issue.
How can I connect my laptop to Wi-Fi without cable?
Connecting in Windows 10Click on the Windows button in the lower-left corner of your desktop.Type “Settings.”Look for “Network and Internet” and then click it.Click “Wi-Fi.”On the Wi-Fi screen, click the on/off button to turn the Wi-Fi on.You can then connect to your network using your network name and password.
How do you connect a computer to Wi-Fi wirelessly?
What to KnowPlug your phone into your PC using a USB cable and set up USB tethering.On Android: Settings > Network and Internet > Hotspot & Tethering and toggle on Tethering.On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot and toggle on Personal Hotspot.
Why is my laptop showing no Wi-Fi networks found?
Go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet, and turn off Airplane Mode if it was on. Restart your computer and reset your Wi-Fi router and try again. Check to see if Wi-Fi is turned on in your system. To do this, go to start > settings>network & internet, and check if the Wi-Fi is turned on.
Where is the Wi-Fi button on my laptop?
Some laptops have a WiFi button that can be switched on or off. The location of the button varies, but most frequently is found on the front edge or just above the keyboard.
How do I connect to a wireless network?
Connect to a wireless networkOpen the system menu from the right side of the top bar.Select Wi-Fi Not Connected. ... Click Select Network.Click the name of the network you want, then click Connect. ... If the network is protected by a password (encryption key), enter the password when prompted and click Connect.More items...
How do I connect to Wi-Fi instead of Ethernet?
If you want to connect to Wi-Fi even if you have an Ethernet cable plugged in, make sure Wi-Fi is higher on that list than Ethernet. Click OK. You'll see this blue button in the bottom right corner of the window. Click Apply.
Connect Laptop To Internet Wireless using keyboard Keys
In most cases, wi-fi can be activated with a simple keyboard shortcut, usually two at the same time. The combinations may vary depending on the device manufacturer. There is a primary Fn button on every keyboard. The second is in the F1-F12 series.
How to connect a Wi-Fi adapter to a laptop
Let’s say you’re tired of tangled wires. This problem can be easily solved by purchasing an external wireless adapter. This is the easiest and most affordable option.
How to install the software for wifi adapter
A driver is a program through which the OS receives information about the type of connected equipment and its purpose. It ensures that your laptop, computer and other operating system devices function properly.
How to install driver for a wi-fi adapter
There are several ways how to install the driver on a laptop. This applies to other devices as well. The first and easiest option is automatic installation when Windows does all the work. She independently searches for the necessary, modern, relevant drivers suitable for a specific system.
Installing the Wi-Fi adapter driver manually
First, they go to the official Internet portal of the device manufacturer. In our case, the adapter. Find the “Downloads” section, go into it and simply download the required driver to the PC. Installation takes place thanks to the installation package.
How to turn on wi-fi adapter on laptop
After the drivers are installed in any of the above methods, it remains only to enable the wireless connection on the laptop by turning on the adapter. It’s simple. Press and hold the Fn key while pressing the Wi-Fi button. It is marked with a special icon. Some models have a separate button. In this case, you just need to press it alone.
How to enable Wi-Fi on a router?
If Wi-Fi is disabled, you'll need to enable it by clicking the Wi-Fi switch before continuing. Click your wireless network's name. This will be either the name you assigned to your wireless router, or a combination of the router's brand and model number. Enter the network's password.
How to get Wi-Fi on Windows 7?
1. Click the Wi-Fi icon. It's the series of curving lines in the far-right side of the task bar. You may first have to click the ^ to the left of the volume or battery icon to see the Wi-Fi option. On Windows 7, the Wi-Fi icon looks like a series of increasingly tall bars. ...
Where is the password on my router?
If you didn't add a password to your network when setting up the router, the password (called a "Security Key") is on the back or bottom of the router unit . You can also check the "Remember this network" box to sign into this network automatically whenever you're in range.
Where is the WPS button on my router?
The other is that the router will usually have a clickable button that says WPS or has a dot in the center with paraenthese looking lines coming from it.
Where is the network name on my router?
It's a series of curving lines in the top-right side of the menu bar. Clicking it will invoke a drop-down menu. Click your router's network name. If you assigned a name to your router when setting it up, the name will appear here; otherwise, look for your router's brand and/or model number.
Where is the security key on my router?
If you didn't add a password to your network when setting up the router, the password (called a "Security Key") is on the back or bottom of the router unit. Click Next. As long as the password is correct, doing so will connect you to the router's wireless signal. Select a network privacy option.
How to connect laptop to Wi-Fi?
Top Answerer. First, you need to create a hotspot on your cellphone. The option for this is most likely in settings under "Wi-Fi". If you can't find it, call your cell phone provider. Then, you connect your laptop to the Wi-Fi network that is created just like you would any other network.
Where is the wifi icon on my computer?
Click the Wi-Fi icon . It's in the top-right of the menu bar at the top of the screen. If your computer is not connected to a wireless network, the icon will look like a hollow cone.
How to connect to a network when no password is required?
If no password is required, you'll connect automatically after tapping the network's name. Enter the network's password if prompted. If you tapped a network that has a padlock next to its name, you'll be prompted to enter the password for that network.
What happens if you don't have a password for your network?
If the network has no password, you'll connect automatically after tapping the network's name. Enter the network's password if prompted. If you tapped a network that has a padlock next to its name, you'll be prompted to enter the password for that network.
How to switch to a different network?
You can switch to a different network by tapping any of the other network names. If no password is required, you'll connect automatically after tapping the network's name.
What happens if you don't have Wi-Fi?
If Wi-Fi was not already on, this will enable the feature and start searching for networks to join. If you're already connected to a Wi-Fi network, it will appear at the top of the list, often under a header that says "Current Network" or something similar.
Where is the connect button on my computer?
It's in the bottom-right corner of the network's name. You can check the "Connect automatically" box here as well to have your PC connect to this network whenever it's in range. If the network has no password, you'll connect automatically after clicking Connect.
How to connect my laptop to the internet?
First is through a dial-up connection. Set up an account with your ISP (Internet Service Provider). Step 2. Install the software provided by your ISP to your computer.
How to connect wireless router to internet?
Connect your wireless router to the cable of your broadband Internet connection. Follow instructions on the user’s manual for the router and configure your router. Click on 'Wireless Network Connection' on the lower left part of your screen on the System Tray.
Why is it important to have a laptop?
A laptop is also beneficial if you want to access wireless networks that are available and usable in public places. This allows you to access the Internet without having to connect an Internet cable to your laptop computer or without staying or being confined in a single place. Materials Needed: - Laptop computer.
How to fix a Wi-Fi connection?
There are a couple of ways to run the Windows Network Diagnostics. Below is how to get started through Settings . Select Start then Settings (cogwheel).
How to fix Wi-Fi connection in Windows 10?
To troubleshoot your Wi-Fi connection via the Network and Sharing Center, do the following: In the Search bar, enter Control Panel, then select Open .
What does "open" mean in Wi-Fi?
If you are in a public place (some airports, municipal buildings, hospitals) that has Wi-Fi service, the network you connect to may be "open" (meaning no security). These networks are open, without passwords, so that people can easily log in and connect to the Internet. You should not have to worry that this network is open if you have an active ...
How to check network status on Windows 10?
To do this, do the following steps: Select Start then Settings (cogwheel). Within Windows Settings, select Network & Internet . Select Status on the left panel to see what your current connectivity status is. Select Show available networks .
Even when your other devices are connecting fine
Ryan Dube is a freelance contributor to Lifewire and former Managing Editor of MakeUseOf, senior IT Analyst, and an automation engineer.
Cause of Laptop Not Connecting to Wi-Fi
There are many potential causes when a laptop won't connect to Wi-Fi. The most common one relates to correctly authenticating with the target network.
How to Fix Laptop Not Connecting to Wi-Fi
This issue applies to laptops running Windows, Mac, or Linux. These fixes may also work for other devices like smartphones or tablets.
Short FAQ
Even a question as specific as “How to get Internet access anywhere on a laptop” can mean different things for different people, which is why the answers to it are all over the place. To make sure we are on the same page, let’s begin with a crash course on connectivity and deal with a couple of misconceptions in the process.
How to Connect My Laptop to the Internet Anywhere?
Now that we’re through with the introduction, let’s look at the ways to get online from your laptop from anywhere. A word of warning, though: the word “anywhere” is interpreted differently by different people – some understand it as “away from home” while others seek a way to go off the grid entirely.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, there is no one-fits-all answer to the question “How to get Internet access anywhere on a laptop?” Some people will seek a way to get online without buying any new gadgets, others will try to repurpose the ones they already own, still others would not stop until they have a fully autonomous, off-the-grid setup.
How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Taskbar
To connect to a Wi-Fi network through the Windows 11 Taskbar, use these steps:
How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Settings
You can also set up wireless connections manually using the Settings app. This way, when the network is in range or hiding its SSID (Service Set Identifier), the laptop or desktop computer can connect automatically.
How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Control Panel
To connect to a wireless network with Control Panel on Windows 11, use these steps:
How to connect to Wi-Fi network using Command Prompt
You can also use the netsh command-line tool in Command Prompt to connect to a Wi-Fi network on Windows 11.