WiFi Adapter Missing From Device Manager in Windows 11 25H2? 8 Fixes

You turn on your Windows 11 computer, click the network icon, and suddenly notice that WiFi has disappeared completely.

There is no WiFi button, no wireless network list, and when you open Device Manager, the wireless adapter may be missing there too.

If this started after installing or updating Windows 11 25H2, don't immediately assume your WiFi card is damaged. In many cases, the problem is caused by a missing driver, a disabled adapter, Windows failing to detect the hardware properly, or a firmware setting.

The best approach is to troubleshoot the problem step by step.

Quick Fix Summary

Try these fixes in this order:

Restart the computer completely.
Show hidden devices in Device Manager.
Scan for hardware changes.
Check for Network Controller under Other devices.
Install the correct WiFi driver from your computer manufacturer.
Check Windows Update and optional driver updates.
Check whether wireless networking is enabled in BIOS or UEFI.
Use Network Reset only after checking drivers and hardware.

Avoid reinstalling Windows before trying these simpler fixes.

Why Does the WiFi Adapter Disappear?

Windows needs both working wireless hardware and a compatible driver to show and use your WiFi adapter.

After a Windows update, several things can happen. Windows may replace your existing driver, fail to load the correct one, or detect the device without knowing which driver belongs to it.

Sometimes the wireless hardware appears under Other devices as an unidentified Network Controller.

Other times the adapter may be hidden, disabled, or completely missing.

That is why checking Device Manager properly should be your first real troubleshooting step.

Fix 1: Restart Your Computer Properly

Before changing any driver or system setting, perform a full restart.

Go to:

Start → Power → Restart

Do not just close and reopen the laptop lid.

Sleep mode does not perform the same hardware initialization as a full restart.

After Windows starts again, open:

Settings → Network & internet

Check whether the WiFi option has returned.

If it has, you do not need to continue.

If WiFi is still missing, move to the next step.

Fix 2: Show Hidden Devices in Device Manager

Right-click the Start button and select:

Device Manager

At the top, click:

View → Show hidden devices

Now expand:

Network adapters

Look for entries containing words such as:

Wireless
WiFi
WLAN
Intel Wireless
Realtek Wireless
MediaTek
Qualcomm
Killer
Broadcom

If the WiFi adapter appears greyed out, right-click it.

If you see Enable device, click it.

Restart the computer and check WiFi again.

If You See a Yellow Warning Icon

Right-click the adapter and choose:

Properties

Look under:

Device status

A warning icon normally means Windows can detect the hardware but the driver is not working correctly.

In that case, installing the correct manufacturer driver is usually the next step.

Fix 3: Scan for Hardware Changes

If the wireless adapter is completely missing, Windows may simply have failed to detect it.

In Device Manager:

Click Action
Select Scan for hardware changes
Wait a few seconds
Expand Network adapters again

Also check:

Other devices

If you see:

Network Controller

with a warning icon, this usually means Windows can detect the hardware but does not have the correct driver installed.

That is actually useful because it suggests the WiFi hardware may still be working.

Fix 4: Install the Correct WiFi Driver

This is one of the most important fixes.

Do not download random drivers from unknown driver-download websites.

Instead, go to the official support page of your laptop or motherboard manufacturer.

Examples include:

Dell
HP
Lenovo
ASUS
Acer
MSI

You need the driver for your exact computer model.

Find Your Computer Model

Press:

Windows + R

Type:

msinfo32

Press Enter.

Look for:

System Model

Write down the exact model number.

Now visit your manufacturer's official support page and download the latest compatible Windows 11 wireless or WLAN driver.

No Internet on the Computer?

You can download the driver using:

another computer
your phone
Ethernet
USB tethering

Transfer the driver using a USB drive if needed.

Install the driver and restart Windows.

Then open Device Manager again.

Fix 5: Check Windows Update

If you have temporary internet access, open:

Settings → Windows Update

Install any pending Windows updates.

Then check whether optional driver updates are available.

A newer WiFi, chipset, or platform driver may fix the problem.

If WiFi stopped working immediately after a driver update and your adapter still appears in Device Manager, you can also check whether Windows allows you to restore the previous driver.

Open:

Device Manager → Network adapters → WiFi adapter → Properties → Driver

Look for:

Roll Back Driver

If the button is available, you can try returning to the previous version.

Fix 6: Check WLAN AutoConfig

If Windows can detect the WiFi adapter but WiFi still does not appear properly, check the WLAN service.

Press:

Windows + R

Type:

services.msc

Press Enter.

Find:

WLAN AutoConfig

Open it and make sure the service is not disabled.

If it is stopped, start it.

Then check whether WiFi returns.

This fix is mainly useful when Windows can already detect the adapter.

If the adapter is completely missing from Device Manager, continue with the BIOS and driver checks instead.

Fix 7: Check WiFi in BIOS or UEFI

If Windows cannot detect the wireless adapter at all, check whether wireless networking has been disabled in BIOS.

Restart the computer and enter BIOS or UEFI.

Common keys include:

F2
Delete
F10
Esc

The correct key depends on your computer manufacturer.

Inside BIOS, look for settings such as:

Wireless
WLAN
Internal WLAN
Onboard WiFi
Wireless Device

Make sure the wireless option is enabled.

Do not change unrelated BIOS settings if you are not sure what they do.

Save the setting and restart Windows.

Fix 8: Use Network Reset

Windows includes a built-in Network Reset option.

Go to:

Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset

Network Reset removes and reinstalls network adapters and resets many networking settings.

Use this after checking the earlier fixes.

If Windows cannot detect your wireless hardware at all, Network Reset may not solve the underlying driver or hardware problem.

You may also need to reconfigure VPN software or virtual network adapters afterward.

What If Network Controller Appears Under Other Devices?

This is one of the clearest clues.

If Device Manager shows:

Other devices → Network Controller

with a warning icon, Windows is probably detecting the networking hardware but does not know which driver to use.

In that situation, install the correct driver from your laptop or motherboard manufacturer.

If required, install:

chipset driver
WiFi driver
Bluetooth driver

Restart the computer after installation.

What If Both WiFi and Bluetooth Are Missing?

Many laptops use one internal wireless module for both WiFi and Bluetooth.

If both disappear at the same time, check:

WiFi driver
Bluetooth driver
chipset driver
BIOS wireless settings
Device Manager

If Windows was recently reinstalled, missing manufacturer drivers are especially worth checking.

Should You Uninstall the WiFi Adapter?

If the wireless adapter is visible in Device Manager but has a driver problem, reinstalling it may help.

Before uninstalling it, download the correct replacement driver.

Then:

Open Device Manager
Expand Network adapters
Right-click your WiFi adapter
Select Uninstall device
Restart Windows

Windows may reinstall the adapter automatically.

If it does not, install the driver you downloaded earlier.

Keeping a backup driver is important because you do not want to remove your only WiFi driver and then have no internet connection available to download another one.

Could the WiFi Card Be Faulty?

Yes, but hardware failure should not be your first assumption.

A hardware problem becomes more likely if:

the WiFi adapter never appears in Device Manager

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