Welcome to the System Administrator training tutorials by CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions. Today, I will explain how to enable a disabled WiFi adapter on a Windows computer.
I supported many issues related to the Windows Operating System on friends' and clients' computers. One of the frequent problems I dealt with was a disconnected wireless network due to a disabled WiFi card.
This tutorial explains how to turn on a disabled WiFi adapter on a Windows Laptop.
It has two parts. In the first part, I will explain the basic method to activate a Network Adapter. In the second part, I will explain how to fix a permanently disabled Network Card.
- Basic Procedure to Enable WiFi On a Windows Device
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How To Enable a WiFi Adapter in Windows 11?
Let me start with the Windows 11 Operating System. I will explain how to turn on a disabled wireless network card on a Windows 11 laptop.
Anthea Gouder, a financial consultant and a client of CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions, asked me for the easiest method to enable the WiFi adapter on a Windows 11 laptop.
The easiest method is through the Control Panel.
I will share the same method I recommended to Anthea here.
Open the Run by pressing the Windows and R keys together.
Type ncpa.cpl on the Run and press the Enter key.
This command opens the Network Connections settings.
You can see the disabled wireless adapter in the Network Connections. Right-click on it and select Enable.
Have a look at the screenshot to see the right-click menu.
It will turn on the disabled WiFi card, and your Windows 11 laptop will start receiving the available wireless networks. It is the easiest method to activate a disabled WiFi adapter in Windows 11.
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How To Enable the WiFi Adapter on a Windows 10 Laptop?
I received a few comments from the regular readers of CoreNetworkZ that they still use Windows 10 and asked me for the solution for a turned-off WiFi card.
I will show a different method this time to enable a WiFi card.
What about the device manager method this time? Okay, let me explain how to turn on a disabled wireless card from the device manager.
Type Device Manager in the Windows 10 search bar and open it.
Check for the wireless adapter under the Network Adapters.
Can you see the Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless AC 3168 Adapter's status from the screenshot? Let me show you how to turn it on from the Device Manager.
Right-click on the disabled wireless adapter and click on the Enable Device option.
This method will activate a disabled WiFi network adapter on a Windows 10 PC.
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How To Enable a WiFi Adapter On a Windows 7 PC?
Sunitha Abraham and Abdul Rafeeq asked me in the comment section to explain solutions for a disabled wireless card on Windows 7 devices. I will answer it in this section. I also suggest that Windows 8 users (if anyone still uses it) can follow the same steps.
The first step to activate a disabled WiFi adapter in Windows 7 is to open the Device Manager.
To open the Device Manager in Windows 7, click the 'Start' and right-click the computer. Click the Properties tab.
This screenshot will give you the idea.
In the Device Manager, you can turn on the WiFi adapter.
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- What If The Above Solution Failed To Enable an Inactive Network Adapter?
I believe you have read the steps to activate a disabled network adapter. However, in some cases, users may be unable to activate the disabled Network adapter using the above methods.
Max Goodey, a software engineer works in Florida, mentioned that sometimes Windows users fail to enable an inactive network adapter due to multiple reasons.
Max is a Fedora Linux expert.
I agree with Max's words. Reasons like a corrupted Network Adapter Driver or a loose connection will prevent a user from enabling it.
I will explain the possible solutions to fix a permanently disabled Network Adapter now.
Update the Network Adapter Driver
The first solution I suggest is to update the Network Card driver software.
You can do it from the device manager.
Right-click the wireless card. Click the 'Update Driver Software', and let Windows do the rest.
After upgrading the driver, reboot your computer. In my experience, most computers will receive wireless signals after a driver update.
Unplug and Replug the WiFi Card
I recommend this method only if it is a USB WiFi card. Unplug the card from the USB port and replug it after two minutes.
Turn Off Security Applications
Ashish Mudgal, a senior Network Engineer at CoreNetworkz Tech Solutions, suggested this solution. I suggest you turn off the security applications installed on your device.
Uninstall and Reinstall Network Adapter Driver
The 4th solution I recommend is uninstalling and reinstalling the Network Adapter driver.
You can do it from the device manager. Right-click the network adapter and click the uninstall option.
Let me conclude this article for now. I have explained how to enable a disabled wireless network card for multiple Windows OS versions. If you have questions or suggestions, you can ask them in the comments.
Author: Alex George
Alex George is the Chief Editor and founder of CoreNetworkZ Tech Solutions. He is a senior software developer with 20 years of experience.
You can contact him at alex.george@corenetworkz.com.
THank you soooo much!! this helped me out soooo much and saved me a lot of moneyy!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is happy to know this
ReplyDeletethanks
ReplyDeleteso very helpful, in terms a non-technical person like me can understand - thank you!
ReplyDelete(I'm bookmarking this site for sure)
I show enabled, but my lower icon still shows wireless adapter is off.
ReplyDeleteMine too
DeleteOk you may right click on the Wireless adapter (as u said the lower icon )
ReplyDeleteNow you will get an option to enable. Please click on that to enable your wireless adapter.
I get no option to enable
Deleteis there any other way of getting to "properties" from right clicking "My Computer" ?
ReplyDeleteU are absolutely the best, thanks for making my day a whole lot better
ReplyDeleteI followed all the recommended steps, the PC tried to switch, but fell back into the disabled mode. I also re-installed and updated the intel software and driver and nothing works on my laptop
ReplyDeleteYou may uninstall the driver and reinstall (adapter driver ).
ReplyDeleteThank you. I knew I had disabled the wifi (by accident) but wasn't sure how to re-enable it. This is crystal clear.
ReplyDeleteNo "Wireless Connections" under Network Adapters. Only Realtek....... and 1394 Net Adapter. Not a single "wireless" thing. Do i need to buy Wireless Adapter and install it to enable this laptop wireless?
ReplyDeleteIn device manager, can you see any wireless adapter below Network Adapters ?
ReplyDeleteIf not, your laptop seems have no wireless adapter (even built in adapter). Then you need to purchase a new wireless adapter for your laptop.
Thank you.. i clicked on disable(which unfortunately was so easy to find) and then was really struggled to enable it.. thanks to u
ReplyDeleteThe wireless says it is enabled but at the same time it shows that it is disabled. It was working just fine not to long ago then it just became disabled from the network.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this article! It helped me!
ReplyDeleteTHANKU THANKU THANKU THANKU THANKU... MAN U RESTARTED MY HEART!!
ReplyDeleteI have same problem but running Windows 7 so there is no 'my computer' icon to follow your procedure.
ReplyDelete(And I'm really stupid.....)
Any advice would help; wireless connections have worked fine for a year - now they've just vanished!
Hi,
ReplyDeletePlease click on Windows 7 start logo on the bottom right hand of the window. You can see the My Computer icon. After that please follow the steps provided here.
omg thk u so much!!@!@!@@! i really needed this and couldnt find out how to do it! thx again!
ReplyDeletefor the 1 who didnt have ny mycomp. logo. u need to go to start and then right click on mycomp.,nd select show on desktop.....now u have the logo nd can do the given steps.
ReplyDeletethanx
hello, i followed your instructions and right clicked on network adapters, but the only options are 'scan for hardware changes' and 'properties' there is no option to enable?? i have tried everything but am not very good with computers! any help appreciated..thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteCan you tell us which Operating System you are using ?
You can use the command prompt utility "devcon" to enable wireless adapter from command prompt. To know more details please go through the link below.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311272
Thank you, thank you, thank you, it worked immediately!
ReplyDelete:)
Mine only says disable??? there is no enable option.
ReplyDeletethank you, thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteFantastic - thank you!
ReplyDeleteOMG I've been trying everything for hours but this actually fixed the problem!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Thank you so much for this article! I was going crazy figuring out how to get my wireless access back.
ReplyDeletesir iam unable to enable my adpter,how can i get it on?
ReplyDeleteThanks
ReplyDeleteits very helpfull
Hi Vikram,
ReplyDeleteHave you tried the steps mentioned in the article?
If still issue persists you may try to update wireless adapter driver.
You're a genius, thank you so much!!!
ReplyDeleteMy problem was the firewall in my computer. I uninstalled the firewall boom the adapter start pick up wireless signals. Even in disabled mode the Firewall blocked the adapter from pick up signal. Thanks for mentioning this step in this article.
ReplyDeleteCan Firewall block adapter from being enabled ? I really doubt
ReplyDeleteThank you.. brother...
ReplyDeleteBrother, is it the same way to enable WIFI adapter on Windows 8 computer?
ReplyDeleteI am using Netgear WIFI USB adapter. Can I turn on it by just following your steps?
ReplyDeleteTo turn on USB adapter first you may unplugg and replugg it.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Mate..
ReplyDeleteThank you So much
ReplyDeleteVery helpful
@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me which all options you get while right click on the adapter ? Have you tried other workarounds ?
@Peter
You can follow the steps for Netgear WIFI USB adapter too.
I have a question?how can I enable my wireless connection on neo laptop?
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me the specific model number of your NEO Laptop ?
ReplyDeleteHi i have tried the enable wireless connection option and it says it is already enabled. I have no light on my laptop to say it is on. Function, f2 (i have an Asus) doesn't work. I have tried repair the ATK package, all other function features work except this one. Help
ReplyDeleteIf the wireless LED is not on it means wireless adapter is not functioning. Make sure wireless button is ON on your Asus laptop. Which wireless utility you are using to scan and connect wireless networks ?
ReplyDeleteFollowed your instructions.. im using microsoft security essential..uninstall it.. bought new wireless adapter.. this is the 2nd time i bought it.. still doesn't show any network..
ReplyDelete@Amir,
ReplyDeleteCan you please give little more information on the issue.
1. Exact issue
2. Adapter model
3. Which wireless utility using
4. OS
Amazing. Thanks for making it easy for the common person to understand and saving me a call/trip to geek squad
ReplyDeleteThanks man it helped me
ReplyDeleteVery helpful. Thanks. alo1269@rediffmail.com
ReplyDeleteFlat fee and simple tech support is 25dollarsupport ask them to fix Wifi disabled
ReplyDeleteThank you so much... Indeed very helpful...
ReplyDelete