9 Fixes for Wi-Fi Networks Not Showing Up on Windows 11

If laptops are essential, Wi-Fi is essential. This is because your laptop will lose its most important feature—the internet—without an active Wi-Fi connection. However, what happens when you try to connect to the internet but Windows doesn't display any network options? Is there a way to fix Wi-Fi networks not showing up in Windows 11? Let's find out.

Before we begin troubleshooting, make sure that: Enable Wi-Fi option. Additionally, make sure your laptop is within range of the router you're trying to connect to. If the problem persists, use these nine methods to fix the above issue on Windows 11.

1. Restart Windows and your router to fix Wi-Fi networks not showing up on Windows 11.

When troubleshooting any Windows issue, it's always recommended to restart your device first. In this case, you can restart your Windows device and your Wi-Fi router. This way, if the Wi-Fi network not showing up is a temporary glitch, it should be fixed. Here's how to do it on a Windows device.

Step 1: Go to the taskbar and click on Start.

Step 2: Here, click on the button energy.

Step 3: tap on Reboot.

At the same time, long-press the power button on your router or unplug and replug the power cable. Once your Wi-Fi router and Windows 11 device restart, open the Wi-Fi options and see if the issue is resolved. If not, start with the fix below.

2. Forget and reconnect to the network

If you're having problems in Windows 11 and it's not detecting a specific Wi-Fi network that was previously connected, try forgetting it and reconnecting to it. This can also remove any networks that may have previously been known by a different name. Follow the steps below to do this.

Step 1: Open Settings using Windows key + I.

Step 2: Then click "Network and Internet".

Step 3: Here, click on Wi-Fi access.

Step 4: Scroll down and tap “Manage known networks.”

Step 5: Go to this menu and click on "I forgot" In front of relevant networks.

Step 6: Next, go back to the Wi-Fi page and tap “Show available networks.”

Step 7: Once the menu has expanded, go to the network Related and click on it. Then click on Contact.

Step 8: Enter Wi-Fi password and click next one.

Your Windows 11 device should now connect to the selected Wi-Fi network.

3. Check if your WI-FI adapter is enabled to fix Wi-Fi networks not showing up on Windows 11.

 

To discover Wi-Fi networks, your Windows 11 device's Wi-Fi adapter must be enabled. To check this, open the Control Panel and use the option "Network and Sharing Center"Here's how to do it.

Step 1: Go to Search And type Control Panel. then open Control Panel from the search results.

Step 2: Here, click "Network and Internet".

Step 3: Then click "Network and Sharing Center".

Step 4: From the side options, click “Change adapter settings.”

Step 5: Right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter, and then click "Enable" If available.

Note: If you see a Disable option when you right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter, it is already enabled. In this case, proceed to the next method.

4. Run the Network Troubleshooter to fix Wi-Fi networks not showing up on Windows 11

 

Because it's capable of self-scanning and diagnosing problems, you can use the Windows Troubleshooter to fix any network-related errors on your device. Once launched, the troubleshooter will scan your device for any potential changes or errors and suggest ways to fix or resolve them. Follow the steps below to do so.

Step 1: Open Settings using Windows key + I.

Step 2: From the menu sidebar, click the system.

Step 3: Here, click find the mistakes and resolve it.

Step 4: Then click Other troubleshooters.

Step 5: Go to “Network and the Internet” and click "employment".

Once the network troubleshooter has diagnosed the issue, a list of possible solutions will appear on your screen. Apply these fixes and check again.

5. Check for driver updates

Network drivers help ensure your device remains compatible with all external network devices. While driver updates are usually installed automatically, you can check for and install these updates manually. Do this if your Windows 11 laptop still doesn't display available networks. Here's how.

Step 1: Right click on START YOUR and click Device management.

Step 2: Here, click Network adapters.

Step 3: Once the options are expanded, right-click on Your Wi-Fi driver.

Step 4: Click Update the driver.

Step 5: Then click “Search automatically for drivers.”

Windows will now search online for updates related to the selected network driver. If an update is available, install it and restart Windows. Then check to see if Wi-Fi networks are visible on your device.

6. Reset the network to fix Wi-Fi networks not showing up on Windows 11

As the name suggests, the procedure will Network reset On your Windows device, remove all network-related components, such as network adapters, drivers, third-party VPN add-ons, etc. A default copy of the network drivers and adapters will then be reinstalled. This will also remove any third-party apps or services that are interfering with your Windows 11 device.

Follow the steps below to do this.

Step 1: use Windows key + I To open Settings.

Step 2: of Menu Options, tap on "Network and Internet".

Step 3: Scroll down and tap Advanced network settings.

Step 4: Go to more Settings and click Network reset.

Step 5: Then click Reset now.

If prompted, click Yes to begin the reset process. Once complete, open your Wi-Fi settings and check if the wireless network options are visible. If not, proceed to the next fix.

7. Set services to “Automatic”.

Services help ensure your device's processes run smoothly, even in the background. While they're usually set to launch automatically when your device boots up, you can also manually set services to automatic. Do this if you're experiencing issues with Wi-Fi networks not showing up on Windows 11. Here's how.

Step 1: go to the Search And type the service. Then open the app from the search results.

Step 2: Here, scroll down and double-click on WLAN AutoConfig.

Step 3: Once the Properties window opens, click the Type drop-down menu. Startup.

Step 4: Here, select automatic.

Step 5: Then click “Apply” and “OK”.

This will set the WLAN services startup type to "automatic" And close the window.

8. Reset TCP/IP and DNS cache

TCP/IP, also known as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, helps your device communicate with other devices over the internet. However, a misconfiguration or error can prevent it from working properly, which can cause issues like Wi-Fi networks not showing up on Windows 11. In this case, you can reset TCP/IP on your Windows 11 device to its default settings. Here's how.

Step 1: Go to Taskbar Right click on Start.

Step 2: of Options, tap on Terminal (Admin)If prompted, click . Yeah.

Step 3: Here, click on the down arrow and select Command Prompt.

Step 4: Now, type the command below and press the button. Input to implement.

netsh winsock reset

Step 5: Then type the following command and press the button: Input.

netsh int ip reset

Once the command is executed, close the Command Prompt window and restart Windows 11. This will also help you clear the DNS cache on Windows 11.

9. Check for Windows updates

Windows updates can help fix issues like Windows 11 not detecting Wi-Fi networks, as they contain bug fixes and important driver updates. So, if you've been putting off installing the latest updates for your Windows device, now might be the time to take the plunge and install them. Here's how.

Step 1: Go to Research, And type Windows Update, and open the application Windows Update from the search results.

Step 2: Here, click "Check for updates".

Once the update download is complete, use the on-screen options to restart your device and finish installing the update.

Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi networks not showing up on Windows 11:

Q1. Can Airplane mode interfere with Wi-Fi network discovery on Windows 11?
The answer: Enabling Airplane Mode on any device will turn off all network connections, including Wi-Fi. So, if you want to connect to a specific network, Use Windows 11 quick settings To disable Airplane mode, check for and connect to the desired Wi-Fi network.

Q2. Can resetting Windows 11 help resolve network issues?
The answer: Resetting your PC for issues like Wi-Fi networks not showing up on Windows 11 may be overkill. However, if the problem persists, you can try it. For more information, see our explanation on Reset Windows 11.

Find your Wi-Fi network

We hope this article helps you fix Wi-Fi networks not showing up on your Windows 11 computer. Additionally, you can check out our other article if you're receiving the error. “Windows could not start the WLAN AutoConfig Service.”