If Windows 11 says no WiFi networks found even though your phone or another laptop can see nearby networks, the problem is usually on the PC rather than the internet connection itself.
You might still have a WiFi button, and your wireless adapter may appear normally in Device Manager, but the list of available networks stays completely empty.
This can happen because WiFi is disabled, Airplane mode is interfering, the WLAN service has stopped, your wireless driver is having problems, or your adapter cannot detect the frequency band being used by the router.
Work through the fixes below in order. Start with the quick checks before reinstalling drivers or resetting the entire network configuration.
Quick Fix: Windows 11 Shows No WiFi Networks
If WiFi networks are not showing in Windows 11, try these steps first:
- Turn WiFi off and back on.
- Make sure Airplane mode is disabled.
- Refresh the available WiFi network list.
- Restart your PC and router.
- Check whether another device can see the same network.
- Restart the WLAN AutoConfig service.
- Disable and re-enable the WiFi adapter.
- Install or reinstall the correct wireless driver.
- Check your router's 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz settings.
- Use Network Reset only if the earlier fixes do not help.
Why Does Windows 11 Say No WiFi Networks Found?
Seeing no available networks does not necessarily mean your WiFi adapter is broken.
Common causes include:
- WiFi being turned off accidentally.
- Airplane mode being enabled.
- A temporary Windows networking problem.
- The WLAN AutoConfig service not running correctly.
- A wireless adapter driver problem.
- The router broadcasting on a frequency your adapter does not support.
- Weak signal or excessive distance from the router.
- The router temporarily failing to broadcast its network name.
- A recent Windows or driver update affecting the adapter.
The easiest way to narrow the problem down is to check whether other devices can see nearby WiFi networks.
Fix 1: Turn WiFi Off and Back On
Start with the simplest check.
Press:
Windows + A
Find the WiFi button.
Turn WiFi off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.
Then open the available network list again.
If your expected network still does not appear, refresh the network list and give Windows a few seconds to scan nearby wireless networks again.
Fix 2: Check Airplane Mode
Airplane mode can disable wireless communication and prevent Windows from finding nearby networks.
Open:
Settings → Network & internet → Airplane mode
Make sure Airplane mode is turned off.
You can also press Windows + A and check it from Quick Settings.
If your laptop has a physical wireless switch or an Fn key with a wireless or airplane icon, make sure that has not disabled WiFi either.
Fix 3: Refresh the WiFi Network List
Sometimes Windows simply needs to scan nearby networks again.
Click the network, sound, or battery area on the taskbar.
Open Manage WiFi connections.
Refresh the available network list and wait several seconds.
This is especially useful if your router recently restarted or you just moved your laptop into range of a different wireless network.
Fix 4: Restart Your PC and Router
A temporary problem with either Windows or the router can stop networks from appearing.
First restart Windows:
Start → Power → Restart
If that does not help, restart your router.
- Turn off or unplug the router.
- Wait about 30 seconds.
- Reconnect the power.
- Wait until the router finishes starting.
- Check the WiFi network list again.
Restarting the router will temporarily disconnect other devices using the same network, so keep that in mind before doing it.
Fix 5: Check the WiFi Network on Another Device
This simple test helps determine whether the problem is with Windows or the network itself.
Take another device such as a phone, tablet, or different laptop and check whether it can see your WiFi network.
If another device can see the network: the issue is probably on your Windows 11 PC.
If no device can see the network: the router or access point may be the problem.
You can also enable a mobile hotspot on your phone and check whether Windows detects it.
If your PC can see the phone hotspot but not your home WiFi, the router's wireless settings become a stronger possibility.
Fix 6: Restart WLAN AutoConfig
Windows uses the WLAN AutoConfig service to discover and connect to wireless networks.
If this service stops working properly, Windows may show an empty WiFi network list.
Press:
Windows + R
Type:
services.msc
Press Enter.
Find:
WLAN AutoConfig
Right-click it and select Restart.
If the service is stopped, start it.
After that, reopen the available WiFi network list.
Fix 7: Disable and Re-enable the WiFi Adapter
If Windows can see the wireless adapter but it is not finding networks, restarting the adapter itself can help.
Right-click the Start button and open:
Device Manager
Expand:
Network adapters
Find your wireless adapter. The name may contain words such as:
- WiFi
- Wireless
- WLAN
- Intel
- Realtek
- MediaTek
- Qualcomm
Right-click the wireless adapter and select:
Disable device
Wait a few seconds.
Then right-click it again and select:
Enable device
Check for WiFi networks again.
What if the WiFi adapter is missing completely?
If you cannot find a wireless adapter under Network adapters, this is a different problem.
Read our related guide:
WiFi Adapter Missing From Device Manager in Windows 11? 8 Fixes
That guide focuses specifically on cases where Windows cannot detect the wireless adapter itself.
Fix 8: Update or Reinstall the WiFi Driver
A driver problem can leave the wireless adapter visible while preventing it from detecting nearby networks.
Start by identifying your exact laptop or motherboard model.
Press:
Windows + R
Type:
msinfo32
Press Enter.
Look for:
System Model
Visit your computer manufacturer's official support website and download the recommended Windows 11 wireless LAN driver.
Avoid downloading drivers from random third-party websites.
Before uninstalling the existing driver
Download the replacement driver first.
This is important because your PC may have no internet connection after removing the existing wireless driver.
If necessary, use another computer and copy the driver to a USB drive.
Then:
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters.
- Right-click your wireless adapter.
- Select Uninstall device.
- Confirm the removal.
- Restart Windows.
Windows may reinstall the network adapter automatically.
If it does not, run the official driver installer you downloaded earlier.
Fix 9: Check 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz Compatibility
If Windows can see some networks but not your specific network, check the wireless frequency band.
Modern routers commonly broadcast on:
- 2.4 GHz
- 5 GHz
- 6 GHz on compatible WiFi 6E equipment
Not every wireless adapter supports every band.
An older adapter may support 2.4 GHz but not 5 GHz or 6 GHz.
If your router is configured to broadcast only on an unsupported band, your laptop may not see that network at all.
Open your router's administration interface or mobile app and check which wireless bands are enabled.
If possible, temporarily enable a 2.4 GHz network and test again.
You can also temporarily give each WiFi band a different network name. That makes it easier to see exactly which band your computer can detect.
Fix 10: Use Network Reset
If none of the earlier fixes work, Windows includes a more aggressive networking reset option.
Open:
Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset
Select:
Reset now
Windows will remove and reinstall network adapters and return many network settings to their default configuration after restarting.
Use Network Reset as a later troubleshooting step rather than your first fix.
You may need to reinstall or reconfigure networking software afterward, including some VPN clients or virtual network adapters.
What If Windows Shows Some WiFi Networks but Not Mine?
If other nearby WiFi networks appear but your own network is missing, your laptop's wireless hardware is probably working.
Focus on:
- Router frequency bands.
- Router channel configuration.
- Whether the WiFi network name is hidden.
- Distance from the router.
- Router firmware or configuration.
Move closer to the router and check again.
You can also compare what your phone sees from the same location.
What If No WiFi Networks Appear at All?
If the network list is completely empty even where several networks normally exist, focus on the Windows PC.
Check that:
- WiFi is enabled.
- Airplane mode is off.
- WLAN AutoConfig is running.
- The wireless adapter is enabled.
- The correct wireless driver is installed.
- The adapter appears normally in Device Manager.
If the WiFi adapter itself has disappeared, use the Device Manager guide linked above.
Should You Use Command Prompt Network Commands?
Commands such as netsh winsock reset, netsh int ip reset, and ipconfig /flushdns are useful for some networking problems.
However, if Windows cannot see any WiFi networks at all, first focus on wireless discovery, the network adapter, WLAN AutoConfig, drivers, and router compatibility.
IP and DNS commands are generally more relevant when the PC can connect to WiFi but internet access is not working properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Windows 11 say no WiFi networks found?
The cause can be disabled WiFi, Airplane mode, a stopped WLAN service, a wireless adapter or driver problem, weak signal, or a router frequency band that your adapter does not support.
Why can my phone see WiFi but my laptop cannot?
If your phone can see the network normally, the router is probably broadcasting. Check your laptop's WiFi adapter, wireless driver, supported frequency bands, and Windows network settings.
Why is my WiFi adapter visible but no networks appear?
The adapter may be enabled but having a driver, WLAN service, radio, or frequency compatibility problem. Restart WLAN AutoConfig, disable and re-enable the adapter, and check the manufacturer's driver.
Can a Windows update cause WiFi networks to disappear?
A Windows or driver update can sometimes change the wireless driver or expose compatibility issues. If the problem started immediately after an update, check your computer manufacturer's latest supported wireless driver.
Should I use Network Reset?
Use Network Reset after simpler checks. It removes and reinstalls network adapters and restores many networking settings to their defaults.
Why can I see 2.4 GHz WiFi but not 5 GHz?
Your wireless adapter may not support 5 GHz, or the router may be using a channel or configuration that the adapter cannot detect properly. Check both the adapter specifications and router settings.
Final Thoughts
If Windows 11 shows no WiFi networks found, first determine whether the problem affects only your computer or every device around you.
If other devices can see the network, focus on the Windows PC: WiFi settings, Airplane mode, WLAN AutoConfig, the wireless adapter, and the driver.
If Windows can see some WiFi networks but not your own, check the router's frequency band and wireless configuration.
Save Network Reset for later in the troubleshooting process instead of using it immediately.
Working through the problem in this order helps you identify whether the real cause is Windows, the wireless driver, the adapter, or the router without changing unrelated settings.
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