The use of wireless networks has grown a lot in recent years. Today we have a large number of devices that are compatible with Wi-Fi. This means that we can navigate without using cables. A few years ago it was normal to browse from a computer connected to the router wired, but this has changed. However, it must be borne in mind that sometimes problems arise. In this article we are going to focus on what to do if we cannot find Wi-Fi networks .
What to do if Wi-Fi networks do not appear
One of the problems that many users face at some point is that Wi-Fi networks do not appear. We carry out a search and we see that they do not show us networks that we know should be there. The problems can be various, as well as their solutions.
For this reason, we are going to explain what are the basic steps that we must take if at any given moment we are using our computer and we see that the Wi-Fi networks are not shown. In this way we can try to solve the problem and everything returns to normal. It is something relatively common and that happens to many users in Windows 10.
Reboot the router and system
One of the basic steps that we must do if Wi-Fi networks do not appear is to restart . This must be applied both to the router and to the system itself. In this way we can solve many problems that sometimes occur and that cause our devices to not work correctly.
First, we are going to reboot the router. Sometimes there can be problems with the connections and they are solved by rebooting the device. But let’s do it correctly. This means that we are going to keep the router turned off for at least 30 seconds. In this way we make sure that the restart is effective. Later we turn it on again and check if the problem continues.
When connection problems arise, they are generally resolved through the router, but the fault may be present in our device. Therefore, if we have not found any changes, we can restart the system . In this way, it is possible that wireless networks will appear later.
Check issuer location
While this shouldn’t happen at home, we can’t rule it out either. Being out of range of the Wi-Fi network is one of the reasons why a network does not appear. The further away we are, the more speed we will lose, and the less signal will come from the nearest router or access point. This may vary depending on the frequency on which the Wi-Fi signal is emitted, which are:
- 2.4GHz: It can reach about 45 meters indoors, and up to 90 meters outdoors or without obstacles.
- 5GHz: It is smaller, with about 15 meters indoors and 30 outdoors.
But in general we can find many factors which can cause a Wi-Fi network to become so weak that it does not appear as available. These can be very diverse. Starting with the router or access point, which must be of good quality to maximize the signal. If we purchase hardware that does not meet certain standards, it can greatly affect the network.
On the other hand we have the obstacles, where the most, the least, is capable of weakening the Wi-Fi network. The structures and buildings in general do not benefit at all, but this is closely linked to the materials used, where concrete and metal are the most negative for the network, and wood the most permissive. For which we will not have to worry too much about furniture and other decoration, taking into account that it will affect a little.
The best way to get around this is by using repeaters. For a normal house, normally one of these is more than enough, but we must always think about all the places where we are going to use the network. Once we have this, we try to place them as best as possible to maximize performance.
Enable SSID broadcast for your WiFi
The Service Set Identifier (SSID) broadcast is what makes your WiFi network visible to your network adapter, once you disable the SSID broadcast, your WiFi network will not be listed.
Many times people disable SSID broadcast for security purposes, and by doing this, they can hide the WiFi network, so others won’t see the network name. But the first time you connect to the WiFi network, you need to configure the profile settings manually, including the network name and security mode, after the initial connection, the devices can remember these settings and you don’t need to go back. to configure them again in any special way.
You can try the instructions below to enable your SSID broadcast, the specific interface may vary from different computers. Here we take TP-link WiFi router as an example:
- See where the IP address, username and password are on your wireless router.
- Open your browser on PC or mobile phone (connect to the Internet via an Ethernet cable on your PC or use a mobile phone that has an Internet connection).
- Type the IP address into your browser and press Enter.
- Type your username and password, then click Sign In.
- Now go to Wireless > Wireless Settings, then check the box next to Enable SSID broadcast and click Save.
- Restart your computer and reconnect to your WiFi network.
Reinstall network card
It may happen that the fault resides in our network card . Perhaps we have updated the operating system and it has generated a compatibility conflict and does not recognize wireless networks for that reason. Therefore, if we come across this problem, our advice is to update the network card drivers.
Beyond updating the drivers and if the problem persists, the next step we must take is to reinstall the card. To do this we go to Start, type Device Manager and then enter Network Adapters. There we have to select the wireless network adapter, click with the right mouse button and click on Uninstall . Later the system will reinstall it.
Run the troubleshooter
Something that we have at our disposal is the Windows troubleshooter . It is a tool that allows us to resolve certain failures that may exist in our network. To run it we have to go to Settings, we enter Update and security and there to Troubleshoot. There we have to select the network adapter.
Once the process is complete, it will show us the possible errors and what we must do to solve them. Sometimes they are fixed automatically, while on other occasions we will have to do something else manually. When the process is finished, it is advisable to restart the computer for the changes to take effect.
Test an external network card
It is very common for users to connect to the Internet through the network card that is built into the motherboard. In principle, this is more than enough and there should be no problems. However, sometimes this internal network card does not have enough capacity to offer good connectivity or it may even have a problem. Therefore it may be interesting to try an external network card.
Computers can be connected to the network also with an external card . It is usually simply a device that we connect via USB. Sometimes it is as small as a flash drive, while at other times it may also have a larger external antenna. This gives us an extra to search for wireless networks. This type of device not only helps detect available networks that are further away, but it can also indicate that our integrated network card has a problem and that we must correct it. Perhaps the failure is not physical, but simply that we have to install the drivers again or perform an update.
If we have problems detecting Wi-Fi networks and we have an external network card, a good idea is to try searching with it. This way we will better detect these networks and we can rule out problems to find the best solution. There are also many network cards available.
Update system and Wi-Fi card
Keeping everything updated will be essential in order to avoid problems that may affect the operation of the network. If, for example, you have outdated Windows, perhaps there is some kind of incompatibility with the network card and that is why Wi-Fi networks do not appear. The same can happen in the opposite case and you have the adapter with outdated drivers.
Therefore, what you are going to do in this case is first to update Windows to the latest version available. To do this you have to go to Start, there you go to Settings and access Windows Update. It will automatically start scanning for possible files pending installation and will add them. It is something that you should do from time to time to always have everything updated.
You should do the same with the Wi-Fi network adapter . It is important that you always have the drivers updated, since this way there will be no incompatibilities with the operating system. You may even have updated Windows and it can’t work with an old version of the card. Therefore, what you have to do is go to Start, enter Device Manager and go to Network adapters. There you have to select the corresponding card, click with the second mouse button and click Update driver.
Turn off airplane mode
If we are using an operating system like Windows 10 and we notice that we have suddenly stopped finding Wi-Fi networks without having changed anything in the settings or without having voluntarily enabled airplane mode, it is possible that we have accidentally enabled it and Now we don’t know what happens.
Luckily, to fix this small inconvenience, we don’t need to go through too much trouble, since we can do it in a very simple way and in a few seconds. First of all, we must go to the start of Windows and there we go to configuration and then Network and Internet.
Once there, we will have the airplane mode in the panel on our left, there we deactivate this mode and then we must make sure that our Wi-Fi is enabled and we can try again to search for available networks and verify that it now works without problems and we can see them again.
Set channel bandwidth to auto
Another aspect that we can take into account to review is that there are many routers, although less and less, that use the same channel width, so our network can be the victim of obstructions or become saturated because everything is being bypassed by that same channel. channel.
What we can do is change the configuration or the width of the channel, for this, we just have to go to the start of Windows, look for the Device Manager and once in that window, we must locate our Wi-Fi network adapter, select it, Right click and then click properties.
In the properties window, we must go to the Advanced tab and we must set the value of our Wi-Fi protocol properties to automatic for both 2.4 and 5 GHz channels. After this, we restart our equipment to Let the changes take effect correctly and we should now be able to see available Wi-Fi networks.
Enable the DHCP configuration protocol
In Windows 10, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (or DHCP) is a process used to customize and assign an IP address to a suitable wireless device, including our computer. If the process is disabled, you cannot connect to a Wi-Fi network on our PC, so you can follow these steps to enable DHCP on your computer:
In the Start menu search bar, search for network connections and select Best match. Right click on your Wi-Fi network. Select Diagnose.
Wait until Windows finishes the process. This will enable DHCP and fix your network problem.
Enable automatic WLAN configuration
WLAN AutoConfig is responsible for configuring, discovering, connecting to, and disconnecting from a wireless area network. If it stops working properly, you will experience all sorts of network problems. This is how you turn on WLAN AutoConfig:
In the Start menu search bar, search for services. In the Services window, right-click WLAN Auto Configuration and select Properties. If the service status is Stopped, click Start. Set the Startup type to Automatic. Then click Apply > OK to save the new changes.
It should be noted that Windows 10 needs more than one service for Wi-Fi networks to work correctly. Here is a list of services we need to check and make sure they are running:
- network location awareness
- network list service
- Application Layer Gateway Service
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- Network connections
- Remote Access Connection Manager
- Remote Access Auto Connection Manager
Delete wireless profile
A corrupted or buggy wireless profile can be the cause of your current network problems. The easiest way to fix this is to delete your wireless profile via Command Prompt. Run command prompt as administrator and type netsh wlan delete profile name =NetworkName. Then press Enter.
After Windows 10 deletes your wireless profile, it will create a new profile and you’ll be able to connect to the Wi-Fi network as long as it’s within range.
Check interference
WiFi signals can be interfered by many household devices, such as your cordless phone, microwave oven, Bluetooth speaker, etc., as they use the same 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequencies. Therefore, you can check these devices to see if that is where the problem lies. Turn off those devices and unplug the power supply. On your computer, try connecting your WiFi again and see if it now shows up.
If the issue is resolved, it appears to be due to device interference, then move your modem and wireless router to another location, so they are not on the same electrical connection as other household devices.
There are different types of interference, which affect Wi-Fi signals. Among others:
- Interference from nearby electronic devices: These devices can be ovens, microwaves, monitors, telephones, radios, or even televisions. These emit radio frequency waves, which may be in the same frequency band as Wi-Fi networks. This causes interference, and reduces the signal significantly.
- Other Wi-Fi networks: When we are in a place where several Wi-Fi networks use the same channels, it is more than likely that they harm each other. This is because Wi-Fi devices use different channels to send and receive data. Therefore, they can interfere with each other, thus decreasing the quality of the signal itself.
- Obstacle Interference: Obstacles could be partly added point. Walls, doors, furniture and other furnishings affect the quality of the Wi-Fi signal. This occurs because radio frequency waves can be blocked or weakened by these obstacles. Thus reducing the quality of the signal.
In any case, on many occasions this is something that we will not be able to avoid. After all, settings like changing channels are limited. It is enough that other users can do the same process, which would end up generating the same problem that we had at the beginning. Getting rid of these problems can be as easy as simple. Therefore, it is advisable to keep the network in the best possible state at all times. In this way, despite the fact that something may interfere with the connection, it is less likely that it will affect us so much that we do not have the Wi-Fi network available. You can also use different devices that will help us in this regard. Such as signal extenders, or on the other hand, use a wired connection. With the discomfort that it can represent regarding Wi-Fi.
Check installed programs
Have you installed any programs recently? Perhaps that is the reason why Wi-Fi networks have stopped appearing . Sometimes the software that we install can affect some system processes and that will lead to problems to navigate or use the system normally.
If you have installed something recently, you can try uninstalling it and see if everything goes back to normal. Especially if you install applications from unofficial sources, errors of this type could appear, hence the importance of always using reliable pages or platforms to download files.
Check hardware
In the event that nothing works, there will come a time where we can start to think that the network card is damaged. This is something that can happen, and become a headache. If we have a desktop computer, it is likely that it can be changed for a new one. Which does not have to suppose a great economic expense. The same thing happens with some laptops, which have this removable component.
But it can be more complicated on other computers. Especially those that have everything integrated into the motherboard. This makes it practically irreparable in many cases.
Check that antivirus and VPN are working well
Although having antivirus and firewalls installed is very interesting in terms of security, the truth is that we can have compatibility problems in certain circumstances. In addition, the use of VPN programs could also be interfering and causing Wi-Fi networks to not appear. We must have all this under control and check that they work correctly.
Deactivate the VPN if we are using it
It may happen that the problem is due to some software that we are using. One of the most common that can generate failures is to use VPN services . If this is the case and we see that we cannot find Wi-Fi networks, a good advice is to deactivate it and check if this solves the problem. These tools are very useful and more and more used, but they could also generate problems of this type very frequently.
Something similar can happen if we are using a firewall or antivirus. They may be generating problems and we can check it simply by deactivating it momentarily. So we can detect errors. This is also quite common in programs of this type that we install in Windows 11.
You must take into account the importance of using VPN guarantees . It is essential in order to protect security and privacy, but also for optimal performance. Some options available are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or CyberGhost. Although there are many alternatives, you should always choose carefully which one you are going to install and avoid problems. The ones that are free or trial are the ones that in many cases can cause problems and will cause conflicts in the connection.
See if the antivirus or firewall is creating problems
Similar to what we mentioned earlier about the VPN, it can also happen that a security program is generating a conflict. This is common especially with the firewall. They are very useful to protect our devices, of course, but they could also be the cause of network-related errors.
Therefore, if we have problems for Wi-Fi networks to appear and everything we have shown above has not had a positive effect, we should see if we have a security tool that is causing some kind of problem in our system. We could simply pause the antivirus or firewall momentarily and see if this problem is solved. In that case we should configure the program so that there are no conflicts.
This can especially happen when you are using a bad antivirus . For example those that are free or may be obsolete. It is important that you always use one of guarantees. Some examples are Windows Defender, Avast or Bitdefender. However, there are many more available. You can search for information on the Internet to choose the one that best suits what you need and thus not have any type of problem.
Perform a scan on your computer
There are many varieties of malware that could affect us in one way or another. Many types of malware can make certain Windows functions not available properly. They could even cause the network to not work. Therefore, if we see that Wi-Fi networks do not appear and apparently everything is correct, one more issue that we must take into account is to carry out an analysis in search of threats. Perhaps some virus is generating problems of this type.
To be able to do this we must have a good antivirus installed. For example, those that we have named Windows Defender, Avast or Bitdefender, which are some of the most popular. Avoid applications that are test and do not offer real guarantees. Doing a complete scan of the computer can bring to light certain problems that prevent wireless networks from appearing.
Keep the Wi-Fi network healthy
Guaranteeing the good condition of the Wi-Fi network in our homes is not a very complicated task. But if we take a few steps to keep it healthy, it is possible that the quality of the connection will improve significantly for all the devices that are connected to it. Some of these tips are:
- Router location: It is the main thing inside a house. The location of the router is what will determine how the network spreads throughout the house, and how it affects the devices that are going to connect to it. It is best to locate the router in a high place, without it being locked in a drawer and without any type of nearby obstacle.
- Update the firmware: Keeping all devices and routers up to date is something very important, both for network performance and for its security. It is advisable to periodically check if there are any pending updates on the router and equipment connected to it.
- Use strong passwords: Keeping our network secure with good passwords will mean that only we can connect to it. Therefore, we do not run the risk of a third party hogging the bandwidth, and we will not have a possible security breach internally.
- Change the channel: If we have many nearby Wi-Fi networks, such as a building, we may have to change the channel from time to time. This is because interference occurs that affects the network, and can slow it down. To know all this data, there are applications that help us scan nearby networks, and thus be able to see the one that is less saturated.
- Control the bandwidth: There are devices that can be large consumers of bandwidth, this being something that can considerably reduce the quality of the connection and performance. Therefore, it is something that it is advisable to monitor periodically, to see that no device is consuming too much.
It may not be a problem
On some occasions, we can carry out all the actions that we have seen and not be able to solve the problem. This may be because there is a possibility that the network is hidden. For which we will never get it to appear in order to connect to it. Today the Wi-Fi network is the main method of connection around the world. And as such, it is a network where attacks can be carried out. Which compromises every device that is connected. Therefore, the network can be hidden as a new layer of security.
What it does is simply prevent devices from displaying it. This is an option that routers allow, and it forces users to not just enter the password. It will also be necessary to establish the exact name of the Wi-Fi network to which we are going to connect. But, currently, this is practically unnecessary. There are mechanisms to be able to see these Wi-Fi networks. Although this is not shown by the generic list that the devices give us, we can use an application or computer program to discover that name. Therefore, we could say that it is an obsolete security method. Therefore, it is highly recommended to establish passwords as secure as possible.
But, despite the fact that it seems like an effective measure, it is important to understand both its limitations and the reason for this functionality. To do this, we can take into account some key points.
- Network visibility: When a Wi-Fi network is hidden, it will not show up in the list of available networks on nearby devices. However, this does not mean that the network is completely invisible. Devices that are already connected to the network or know its name can still discover and connect to it. Furthermore, hackers and technically savvy people can still find and access a hidden network using specific scanning tools.
- Compatibility and ease of use: Hiding a Wi-Fi network can present drawbacks in terms of compatibility and ease of use. By hiding the network, some devices may not be able to find it automatically, requiring users to manually enter the name of the hidden network to connect. This can be inconvenient, especially for new visitors or devices that need to access the network.
- Network performance: Hiding the Wi-Fi network can have a negative impact on network performance. When devices must actively search for a hidden network, a delay in the connection process can occur. Also, some devices may have difficulty maintaining a stable and reliable connection to a hidden network. This can result in a slower network experience or frequent interruptions.
- Security: Hiding a Wi-Fi network is not an effective security measure on its own. Although hiding the network can prevent casual users from detecting it, it does not protect the network against more sophisticated attacks. Hackers can use advanced techniques to discover and gain access to hidden networks. In addition, other important aspects of security, such as network encryption and the use of strong passwords, remain essential to protect the Wi-Fi network.
- Usability and Convenience: In many cases, hiding a Wi-Fi network can be more inconvenient than helpful. Most modern devices are designed to automatically detect and connect to visible networks. Hiding the network may require additional configuration and complicate the connection process, especially for new or guest devices.
In short, by following those steps that we have mentioned we can solve the problem when Wi-Fi networks do not appear. They are basic steps that we can take into account when this type of inconvenience arises that is so present among Windows users. As an additional measure, to make sure that the problem is in our device, we can always search for networks with other equipment.