Connecting to Wi-Fi on a Laptop: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners and Advanced Users

Without a stable Wi-Fi connection, a modern laptop loses half of its capabilities. Hether you just bought a new one ASUS ZenBook, restore the old one Lenovo ThinkPad Whether you've reset your device or experienced a sudden internet outage, connecting to a wireless network should be straightforward. However, in practice, users encounter dozens of issues, from hidden networks to adapter driver problems.

This article won't just list the standard steps from the Windows menu. We'll also cover all possible scenarios: connecting on different operating systems, resolving errors like "Cannot connect to this network," setting network priorities, and even diagnosing hardware problems. Particular emphasis is placed on universal methods, which work regardless of the laptop model - be it a budget one Acer Swift or gaming MSI Raider.

Important: If your laptop was manufactured before 2015, some features (such as Wi-Fi 6 support) may be missing. In this case, please refer to the section on updating drivers.

1. Preparing your laptop for connection

Before attempting to connect to the network, make sure your laptop is technically ready. Start by checking the device's physical condition.

🔹 Wi-Fi button on the body: on some models (eg, HP Pavilion or Dell Inspiron) there is a separate button or switch for turning on wireless modules. It is often located on the side panel or among the function keys (F2–F12). Look for the antenna icon 📶.

🔹 Wireless indicatorMost laptops have an LED that lights up when Wi-Fi is active. If it's off or blinking orange, there's a problem with the adapter.

🔹 Battery chargeWhen the battery level drops below 10%, Windows may automatically disable power-hungry modules, including Wi-Fi. Connect your laptop to a power outlet if the indicator shows a critical level.

📊 What kind of laptop do you have?
Windows
macOS
Linux
Chromebook
Don't know
  • 🔧 Check that the router is turned on and distributing the network (the WLAN/Wi-Fi indicator on it should be green or blue).
  • 📱 Make sure other devices (smartphone, tablet) can connect to this network - this will eliminate problems on the router side.
  • 🔄 If your router is dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), try connecting to a network with the suffix _5G - it is usually less busy.
⚠️ Note: If you're connecting to a public network (at a cafe or airport), check the terms of use. Some hotspots require browser registration even after a "successful" connection.

2. Connecting to Wi-Fi on Windows 10 and 11

The connection process on the latest versions of Windows is virtually identical, but there are some subtleties in the layout of interface elements. Let's look at both options.

🔹 Method 1: Via the taskbar (quick method)

  1. Tap the network icon 🌐 in the lower right corner of the screen (next to the clock).
  2. Select the desired network from the list of available networks. If there is no network, click Wi-Fi network is disabled → Show available networks.
  3. Check the box Connect automatically and press Connect.
  4. Enter your password (if required) and confirm.

🔹 Method 2: Via "Options" (advanced settings)

Open Start → Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-FiHere you can:

  • 🔄 Enable/disable Wi-Fi using the slider.
  • 🔍 Find hidden network (button Hidden network).
  • 📊 View the list of saved networks and delete unnecessary ones.
  • 🛠️ Run the troubleshooter (link at the bottom of the page).

Make sure Airplane mode is turned off

Check that Wi-Fi isn't disabled in Device Manager.

Restart your router if the network is not displayed.

Try connecting to a different network for diagnostics-->

🔹 Method 3: Via the command line (for experienced users)

If the graphical interface does not work, you can connect via CMD:

netsh wlan connect name="NETWORK_NAME"

To view all available networks:

netsh wlan show networks
⚠️ Note: If you receive the error "Unable to connect to this network" after entering your password, try entering the password manually in the configuration file. To do this, open Network and Sharing Center → Manage Wireless Networks → Add → Manually and specify the security type WPA2-Personal (even if the router supports WPA3).

3. Connection Features on macOS (MacBook)

Apple laptops use their own network management system, which differs from Windows. Here are the key points:

🔹 Fast connection

  • Click on the Wi-Fi icon 🌐 in the menu bar (upper right corner).
  • Select a network from the list. If it's not there, click Other networks....
  • Enter your password and confirm. On a MacBook with Touch Bar The password can be entered via a screened keyboard.

🔹 Additional settings

Open System Preferences → NetworkHere you can:

  • 🔄 Change the network priority (drag networks up/down in the list).
  • 🔒 Delete saved passwords (button Additional → Wi-Fi).
  • 📡 Enable diagnostic mode (hold Option and click on the Wi-Fi icon).

🔹 Connection issues with M1/M2 chips

Laptops on Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) sometimes conflict with older routers. If the network doesn't connect:

  • Update macOS to the latest version.
  • Disable the mode in your router settings. 802.11r (Fast Roaming).
  • Try connecting to a 2.4 GHz network instead of 5 GHz.
Problem Windows macOS Linux
The network is not displayed Check the adapter driver in Device Manager. Reset network settings via System Preferences Restart the service NetworkManager
Constant breaks Disable power saving for the adapter in Properties. Disable the "Automatically connect to networks" feature Check the logs via dmesg | grep wlan
Low speed Change the Wi-Fi channel in your router settings. Turn off Bluetooth - it can cause interference Try the driver rtl8821ce for Realtek chips

4. Connecting on Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora)

Linux distributions use different network managers, but the most common one is NetworkManagerThe instructions are suitable for Ubuntu 22.04+, Linux Mint 21 and similar systems.

🔹 Graphical interface (for beginners)

  1. Click on the network icon in the upper right corner (next to the battery).
  2. Select Wi-Fi is not connected → Select network.
  3. Find your network in the list and enter the password.
  4. If there is no network, press Connect to a hidden network and enter the name (SSID) manually.

🔹 Terminal (for advanced users)

You can manage networks using commands:

  • View available networks: 
    nmcli dev wifi list
  • Connecting to the network MY_WIFI with a password password123: 
    nmcli dev wifi connect "MY_WIFI" password "password123"
  • View connection status: 
    nmcli connection show

🔹 Troubleshooting driver issues

If the Wi-Fi adapter is not detected, check its status:

lspci | grep -i network

For the most common chips (Broadcom, Realtek, Intel) Proprietary drivers may be required. Install them via:

sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

5. Solving common errors

Even if you enter the correct password, the connection may not work. Let's look at common errors and their solutions.

🔹 "We can't connect to this network" (Windows)

  • 🔄 Reset network settings:
    1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Status.
    2. Click Network reset and confirm.
  • 🔧 Remove the network from saved:
    1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks.
    2. Find the problematic network and click Forget.
  • 🛠️ Update your adapter driver:
    1. Open Device Manager → Network Adapters.
    2. Find your Wi-Fi adapter (e.g. Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4), right-click → Update driver.

      3. 🔹 "The password is incorrect" (even though you are sure it is correct)

      • Please check your passwords are case sensitive (Password ≠ password).
      • If the password was copied from a message, please enter it manually - sometimes invisible characters are copied.
      • The router may have a feature enabled. WPS - try connecting through it (the button on the router).

      🔹 The laptop does not see the 5 GHz network.

      • Make sure your Wi-Fi adapter supports 5 GHz (check model specifications).
      • Enable the mode in your router settings. 11a/n/ac (sometimes it is disabled by default).
      • On Windows, disable adapter power saving:
        1. Open Device Manager → Network Adapters → Properties of your adapter → Power Management.
        2. Uncheck the box Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
    What should I do if my laptop connects to the network, but the internet doesn't work?

    1. Check if your laptop is receiving an IP address: Open a command prompt and type ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (Linux/macOS). If the address is like 169.254.x.x - this means that DHCP is not working.

    2. Restart your router and laptop at the same time.

    3. Check your DNS settings: Try using Google's public DNS (8.8.8.8 And 8.8.4.4).

    4. Disable VPN or proxy if enabled.

    5. If the problem is only on one site, check its availability through monitoring service (the link is conditional, since URLs are prohibited).

    6. Setting Wi-Fi network priority

    If your laptop automatically connects to the wrong network (for example, to a weak neighbor's signal instead of your router), you need to adjust the priorities.

    🔹 On Windows 10/11

    1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks.
    2. Select the network you want to prioritize and click Properties.
    3. Enable the option Connect automatically when entering range.
    4. To remove unnecessary networks, click Forget.

    🔹 On macOS

    1. Open System Preferences → Network → Wi-Fi → Advanced.
    2. On the list Preferred networks Drag the desired network to the top position.
    3. Click OK and restart your laptop.

    🔹 On Linux (NetworkManager)

    Open the network configuration file:

    sudo nano /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/NETWORKNAME.nmconnection

    Find the line autoconnect-priority and set a higher value (eg. 10) for the priority network.

    7. Diagnosing hardware problems

    If none of these methods help, the problem may lie with the Wi-Fi adapter itself. Here's how to check:

    🔹 Checking the adapter in Device Manager (Windows)

    1. Open device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
    2. Expand the section Network adapters.
    3. If there is an exclamation mark ⚠️ next to the adapter name, the driver is not installed or is not working correctly.
    4. Right-click on the adapter → Properties → Device Status.

    🔹 Test on another device

    • Connect another device (smartphone, tablet) to the router. If it connects, the problem is with the laptop.
    • Try connecting your laptop to a different network (for example, from your phone in hotspot mode).

    🔹 Testing Antennas (Advanced)

    • On some laptops (eg. Lenovo LegionThe Wi-Fi antennas are connected to the motherboard with separate cables. If a cable becomes loose, the connection will be unstable.
    • To check, open the back cover of your laptop and make sure the black and white cables (usually labeled MAIN And AUX) are tightly connected to the Wi-Fi module.
    ⚠️ Warning: If you've never disassembled a laptop before, don't attempt to do so yourself—the risk of damaging cables or connectors is very high. Contact a service center, especially if the laptop is under warranty.

    8. Alternative connection methods

    If your laptop's Wi-Fi isn't working (the adapter is broken or the driver is missing), you can use alternative methods to connect to the Internet.

    🔹 USB modem (3G/4G/5G)

    • Buy a USB modem from your operator (for example, MegaFon M150-2 or Yota Many).
    • Insert the SIM card with the modem tariff.
    • Connect the modem to the laptop's USB port - the drivers are usually installed automatically.

    🔹 Connecting via smartphone (USB tethering)

    1. Connect your smartphone to your laptop via USB cable.
    2. Turn on your phone Modem mode → USB modem (on Android) or Personal hotspot (on iPhone).
    3. On your laptop, select Local Area Network Connection in network settings.

    🔹 Wi-Fi adapter via USB

    • Buy an external Wi-Fi adapter (for example, TP-Link TL-WN823N or ASUS USB-AC56).
    • Connect it to your laptop's USB port.
    • Install drivers from the manufacturer's official website.
    • Connect to the network via the standard Wi-Fi menu.
    Way Pros Cons Speed
    USB modem Works anywhere there is cellular coverage Paid traffic, FUP restrictions may apply Up to 150 Mbps (4G)
    USB tethering Does not require additional devices Drains phone battery, operator restrictions Up to 100 Mbps
    External Wi-Fi adapter High speed, support for modern standards Takes up a USB port and requires drivers. Up to 1300 Mbps (Wi-Fi 6)

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi connections

    My laptop can't see any networks, even though Wi-Fi is on. What should I do?

    1. Check if the Wi-Fi adapter is enabled in the BIOS/UEFI. To do this, restart the laptop, hold down F2, Del or Esc (depending on the model) and find the section Advanced → Wireless LAN. Make sure it's turned on (Enabled).

    2. Update the adapter driver manually:

    1. Download the driver from the laptop manufacturer's official website (see the "Support" section).
    2. Install it following the instructions.

    3. If the adapter isn't detected at all, it may be physically disconnected (for example, the cable is disconnected). In this case, repair is required.

    How to connect to a hidden Wi-Fi network?

    Hidden networks do not broadcast their name (SSID), but you can connect to them manually:

    🔹 On Windows:

    1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
    2. Click Hidden network.
    3. Enter the network name (SSID) and password.

    🔹 On macOS:

    1. Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
    2. Select Connect to another network.
    3. Enter the network name, select the security type and password.

    🔹 On Linux:

    nmcli dev wifi connect "NETWORK_NAME" password "PASSWORD" hidden yes
    Why is Wi-Fi working but pages won't open?

    This issue is usually related to DNS or IP settings. Try the following:

    1. Open command prompt and run: 
      ipconfig /flushdns
    2. Change DNS servers to public ones (Google or Cloudflare):
      1. Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
      2. Right-click on your Wi-Fi connection → Properties.
      3. Select Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties.
      4. Check the box Use the following DNS server addresses and enter: 8.8.8.8 And 8.8.4.4 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 And 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare).
    3. Check to see if your antivirus or firewall is blocking network access. Temporarily disable them for testing.
    How do I find the password for a saved Wi-Fi network on my laptop?

    🔹 On Windows:

    1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
    2. Enter: 
      netsh wlan show profile name="NETWORK_NAME" key=clear
    3. Find the line Key content - this is the password.

    🔹 On macOS:

    1. Open Programs → Utilities → Keychain.
    2. Find your network name in the list.
    3. Check the box Show password and enter your Mac account password.

    🔹 On Linux:

    sudo grep psk= /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/NETWORKNAME.nmconnection
    Is it possible to connect to Wi-Fi without a password?

    Connect to a secure network without a password technically impossible without hacking, which is illegal in most countries. However, there are legal ways:

    • 🔑 Ask the network owner for the password.
    • 📶 Connect to the guest network (if available).
    • 📱 Use mobile internet via USB tethering.

    If we are talking about your network, but you have forgotten the password, reset the router settings using the button Reset (hold for 10 seconds) and set it up again.

    • 📖 Read also

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