Why Does Windows Not Show Any Available Networks?

By Marlo Strydom

You open your laptop, ready to get online—but there’s nothing. No Wi-Fi networks show up at all. It’s annoying, and it can feel like something’s seriously wrong. But in most cases, it’s a simple fix.

Here’s how to find out what’s causing the issue and get your connection back.

1. Wi-Fi Might Be Turned Off

Sometimes the reason is as simple as your Wi-Fi being disabled—either through a keyboard shortcut, a system setting, or a power-saving feature.

  • Quick check : Click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar. If it's greyed out, click it to turn Wi-Fi back on.

  • Keyboard shortcuts : Many laptops use a key combo like Fn + F2 or similar to toggle Wi-Fi. Try pressing it once to see if the network list reappears.

  • System settings : Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and make sure the Wi-Fi toggle is switched on.

2. Airplane Mode Could Be On

Airplane Mode shuts off all wireless communication, including Wi-Fi. If this is enabled, networks won’t show up.

  • Click the Airplane icon in your taskbar and disable it.

  • Or go to Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane mode and turn it off from there.

3. Network Drivers May Be Outdated or Corrupted

Drivers act as a bridge between your hardware and the operating system. If your Wi-Fi adapter’s drivers are outdated or damaged, it could prevent Windows from detecting networks.

  • Open Device Manager , expand Network adapters , right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and select Update driver .

  • If updating doesn’t help, uninstall the adapter and restart your computer. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

4. Wi-Fi Adapter Glitches

Even if the drivers are fine, the adapter itself might be temporarily unresponsive or experiencing a hardware issue.

  • In Device Manager , right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, choose Disable , wait a few seconds, then right-click again and Enable it.

  • On desktops, check that the adapter is physically secure. If you’re using a USB adapter, try a different port.

5. Misconfigured Network Settings

Sometimes incorrect settings—like DNS configuration or leftover proxy settings—can interfere with connectivity.

  • Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status and choose Network reset . This will reinstall all your network components and return them to default settings.

  • Check proxy settings under Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy and make sure Automatically detect settings is enabled. Disable any unnecessary manual proxy configurations.

6. Issues with the Router or Modem

If other devices can’t connect either, the issue may lie with your network hardware.

  • Restart your modem and router. Unplug them for 30 seconds, then power them back on.

  • Make sure the router’s Wi-Fi indicator light is on. If not, it may not be broadcasting the signal, or the Wi-Fi settings might be disabled on the router.

7. Signal Interference

Nearby electronics like microwaves, cordless phones, or even competing Wi-Fi signals can interfere with your connection.

  • Move your computer closer to the router and away from possible sources of interference.

  • Log in to your router’s admin panel and try switching to a less congested channel (usually channels 1, 6, or 11 for 2.4GHz networks).

8. Essential Network Services Might Be Disabled

Windows depends on certain background services to manage wireless connections. If one or more of these services are turned off, you might not see any networks listed.

  • Press Windows + R , type services.msc , and press Enter.

  • Look for the following and make sure they’re running:

    • WLAN AutoConfig

    • Network Connections

    • Network List Service

    • Network Location Awareness

Right-click each one and select Start if it's not running.

9. Malware Could Be Disrupting Network Functions

Some types of malware tamper with your system’s network settings or disable network hardware altogether.

  • Run a full system scan using Windows Security or a trusted third-party antivirus tool.

  • After removing threats, you may need to reset your network settings to restore normal behavior.

10. Hardware Failure

If you've ruled out all software and configuration issues, your internal Wi-Fi card might be failing—especially on older devices.

  • Consider trying an external USB Wi-Fi adapter to see if it resolves the problem.

  • For desktops, swapping out the internal network card might be a viable option. If you’re on a laptop, it’s best to consult a technician.

Bringing Back Your Connection

While it can be alarming to see no networks listed, this problem is usually fixable. Start with the basics—checking settings, toggling Wi-Fi, restarting hardware—and work your way toward more technical steps only if needed. With a little patience, you’ll typically get things running again without needing to replace anything.

If nothing helps, reaching out to a professional or your device’s manufacturer may be the next best step.