Are you struggling to connect to the internet on your laptop because WiFi is turned off? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of turning WiFi back on your laptop, regardless of the operating system you’re using. We’ll also explore some common issues that might prevent your laptop from connecting to WiFi and provide troubleshooting tips to help you resolve them.
Why is WiFi Not Turning On My Laptop?
Before we dive into the steps to turn WiFi back on, let’s quickly explore some common reasons why WiFi might not be turning on your laptop:
- Airplane mode is enabled: If airplane mode is enabled on your laptop, WiFi will be turned off. You’ll need to disable airplane mode to turn WiFi back on.
- WiFi is disabled in the settings: Sometimes, WiFi might be disabled in the settings, either intentionally or unintentionally. You’ll need to check the settings to ensure WiFi is enabled.
- WiFi adapter is disabled: The WiFi adapter might be disabled in the Device Manager, which can prevent WiFi from turning on.
- Driver issues: Outdated or corrupted WiFi drivers can prevent WiFi from turning on.
- Hardware issues: Hardware issues, such as a faulty WiFi adapter or antenna, can prevent WiFi from turning on.
Turning WiFi Back On: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that we’ve explored some common reasons why WiFi might not be turning on, let’s move on to the steps to turn WiFi back on your laptop.
For Windows Laptops
If you’re using a Windows laptop, follow these steps to turn WiFi back on:
- Click on the Start button and select Settings.
- Click on Network & Internet.
- Click on WiFi.
- Toggle the switch to the right to enable WiFi.
- If you don’t see the WiFi switch, click on Change adapter options.
- Right-click on the WiFi adapter and select Enable.
Alternatively, you can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + A to open the Action Center and toggle WiFi on or off.
Enabling WiFi in the Device Manager
If WiFi is disabled in the Device Manager, you’ll need to enable it to turn WiFi back on. Here’s how:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Network Adapters section.
- Right-click on the WiFi adapter and select Enable device.
Updating WiFi Drivers
Outdated or corrupted WiFi drivers can prevent WiFi from turning on. Here’s how to update WiFi drivers on a Windows laptop:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Network Adapters section.
- Right-click on the WiFi adapter and select Update driver.
- Follow the prompts to search for and install updated drivers.
For macOS Laptops
If you’re using a macOS laptop, follow these steps to turn WiFi back on:
- Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
- Click on Network.
- Select WiFi from the left-hand menu.
- Click on the Turn WiFi On button.
- If you don’t see the Turn WiFi On button, click on Advanced.
- Select the WiFi tab and click on the Turn WiFi On button.
Alternatively, you can also use the keyboard shortcut Command + Space to open Spotlight and type “WiFi” to quickly access the WiFi settings.
Enabling WiFi in the Network Preferences
If WiFi is disabled in the Network Preferences, you’ll need to enable it to turn WiFi back on. Here’s how:
- Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
- Click on Network.
- Select WiFi from the left-hand menu.
- Click on the Advanced button.
- Select the WiFi tab and click on the Enable WiFi button.
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
Resetting the SMC can sometimes resolve issues with WiFi not turning on. Here’s how to reset the SMC on a macOS laptop:
- Shut down your laptop.
- Locate the following keys: Power button, Command + Option + Shift + Power button.
- Press and hold the Power button while pressing the Command + Option + Shift keys.
- Release the keys when you hear the boot chime for the second time.
- Wait for your laptop to boot up and try turning WiFi back on.
Troubleshooting WiFi Issues
If you’re still having trouble turning WiFi back on, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:
Restart Your Laptop
Sometimes, simply restarting your laptop can resolve issues with WiFi not turning on.
Check for Physical Obstructions
Physical obstructions, such as walls or furniture, can prevent your laptop from connecting to WiFi. Try moving your laptop to a different location to see if that resolves the issue.
Check Your WiFi Network
Ensure that your WiFi network is working properly by checking the WiFi router and modem. Restarting the router and modem can sometimes resolve issues with WiFi not turning on.
Disable and Re-enable WiFi
Disabling and re-enabling WiFi can sometimes resolve issues with WiFi not turning on. Here’s how to do it on a Windows laptop:
- Click on the Start button and select Settings.
- Click on Network & Internet.
- Click on WiFi.
- Toggle the switch to the left to disable WiFi.
- Wait for 10 seconds and toggle the switch to the right to enable WiFi.
On a macOS laptop, you can disable and re-enable WiFi by following these steps:
- Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
- Click on Network.
- Select WiFi from the left-hand menu.
- Click on the Turn WiFi Off button.
- Wait for 10 seconds and click on the Turn WiFi On button.
Conclusion
Turning WiFi back on your laptop is a relatively straightforward process, regardless of the operating system you’re using. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve issues with WiFi not turning on. Remember to troubleshoot common issues, such as airplane mode being enabled or WiFi being disabled in the settings, before seeking further assistance. If you’re still having trouble, don’t hesitate to reach out to your internet service provider or a professional for further help.
| Operating System | Steps to Turn WiFi Back On |
|---|---|
| Windows | 1. Click on the Start button and select Settings. 2. Click on Network & Internet. 3. Click on WiFi. 4. Toggle the switch to the right to enable WiFi. |
| macOS | 1. Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences. 2. Click on Network. 3. Select WiFi from the left-hand menu. 4. Click on the Turn WiFi On button. |
By following these steps and troubleshooting common issues, you should be able to turn WiFi back on your laptop and get back to browsing the internet in no time.
Why is my WiFi not turning back on after I disabled it on my laptop?
There could be several reasons why your WiFi is not turning back on after you disabled it on your laptop. One common reason is that the WiFi adapter might be disabled in the Device Manager. Another reason could be that the WiFi switch is turned off in the laptop’s settings. Additionally, it’s possible that the WiFi driver is outdated or corrupted, preventing the WiFi from turning back on.
To resolve this issue, you can try enabling the WiFi adapter in the Device Manager, checking the WiFi switch in the laptop’s settings, and updating the WiFi driver to the latest version. You can also try restarting your laptop and checking if the WiFi turns back on. If none of these steps work, you may need to perform a system restore or seek further assistance from the laptop manufacturer’s support team.
How do I turn WiFi back on if I disabled it from the Windows Settings app?
If you disabled WiFi from the Windows Settings app, you can easily turn it back on by following a few steps. First, click on the Start button and select the Settings app. Then, click on the “Network & Internet” option and select “WiFi” from the left menu. Finally, toggle the switch under “WiFi” to the “On” position.
Alternatively, you can also use the WiFi quick setting in the Action Center to turn WiFi back on. To do this, click on the Action Center icon in the system tray and click on the WiFi tile. Then, toggle the switch to the “On” position. If you don’t see the WiFi tile, you can click on the “Expand” button to view all the available quick settings.
What is the keyboard shortcut to turn WiFi back on in Windows?
The keyboard shortcut to turn WiFi back on in Windows varies depending on the laptop model. However, on most laptops, you can press the Fn key + the WiFi key (usually F2, F5, or F12) to toggle WiFi on and off. You can check your laptop’s user manual or online documentation to find the specific keyboard shortcut for your laptop model.
Alternatively, you can also use the Windows key + A to open the Action Center and then click on the WiFi tile to turn WiFi back on. This method works on all Windows laptops and is a convenient way to quickly toggle WiFi on and off.
How do I turn WiFi back on if I disabled it from the Device Manager?
If you disabled WiFi from the Device Manager, you’ll need to enable it again to turn WiFi back on. To do this, press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager. Then, expand the “Network Adapters” section and right-click on the WiFi adapter. Select “Enable device” from the context menu to enable the WiFi adapter.
Once you’ve enabled the WiFi adapter, you should see the WiFi icon appear in the system tray. You can then click on the WiFi icon to view available networks and connect to one. If you don’t see the WiFi icon, you may need to restart your laptop or update the WiFi driver to the latest version.
Can I turn WiFi back on from the BIOS settings?
Yes, on some laptops, you can turn WiFi back on from the BIOS settings. To do this, restart your laptop and press the key to enter the BIOS settings (usually F2, F12, or Del). Then, navigate to the “Advanced” or “Wireless” tab and look for the WiFi option. Enable the WiFi option and save the changes.
However, not all laptops allow you to enable WiFi from the BIOS settings. Additionally, enabling WiFi from the BIOS settings may not be necessary if you can enable it from the Windows Settings app or Device Manager. It’s recommended to try enabling WiFi from the Windows Settings app or Device Manager first before attempting to enable it from the BIOS settings.
Why is my WiFi not turning back on after a Windows update?
After a Windows update, your WiFi may not turn back on due to a corrupted WiFi driver or a conflict with the new Windows version. To resolve this issue, you can try updating the WiFi driver to the latest version or rolling back to a previous version of the driver.
Additionally, you can try resetting the WiFi adapter or performing a system restore to a previous point when WiFi was working. If none of these steps work, you may need to seek further assistance from the laptop manufacturer’s support team or Microsoft support.
How do I reset the WiFi adapter to turn WiFi back on?
To reset the WiFi adapter, you can try disabling and re-enabling the WiFi adapter in the Device Manager. To do this, press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager. Then, expand the “Network Adapters” section and right-click on the WiFi adapter. Select “Disable device” from the context menu to disable the WiFi adapter.
Wait for a few seconds and then enable the WiFi adapter again by right-clicking on it and selecting “Enable device”. This will reset the WiFi adapter and may resolve any issues that were preventing WiFi from turning back on. If this doesn’t work, you can try restarting your laptop or updating the WiFi driver to the latest version.