How to enable Wi-Fi on a Lenovo G560 laptop: all the methods + troubleshooting

Laptop Lenovo G560 — a popular model from the early 2010s that is still used by many users. However, owners often encounter a problem: the wireless network suddenly disappears or fails to turn on after reinstalling Windows. In this article, we'll look into this. all possible ways to activate Wi-Fi on this model, including hardware switches, BIOS settings and drivers.

Peculiarity Lenovo G560 - availability physical Wi-Fi power button on the case, which is easy to miss. Furthermore, in some BIOS versions, the wireless adapter may be disabled by default. We'll cover solutions for Windows 7/10/11, and also provide diagnostic tips if the network still won't work.

Important: If you have recently updated your operating system or replaced your hard drive, the problem is most likely due to missing drivers. Lenovo G560 Original drivers from are suitable Intel or Broadcom — they can be downloaded from the official Lenovo website (support section).

1. Check the physical Wi-Fi switch on the case

The most common reason for the lack of wireless network is disabled hardware switchOn . Lenovo G560 it is located on on the left side of the case next to the USB connectors and looks like a small slider with an antenna icon. If the slider is moved toward the cross (✖), Wi-Fi is off.

To turn on the network:

• 🔄 Move the slider towards the antenna icon (usually to the "forward" position).
• 💡 The blue or orange indicator next to the power button will light up - this means the adapter is activated.
• 🔍 If the indicator does not light up, check if the slider is stuck (sometimes you need to press lightly).

On some modifications G560 instead of a slider is used keyboard shortcut Fn + F5Try pressing this combination - a notification about turning wireless networks on/off should appear on the screen.

2. Enabling Wi-Fi via BIOS (if the adapter is not detected)

If the physical switch doesn't help, the wireless adapter may be disabled at the BIOS level. This is especially true after a factory reset or firmware update. To check:

1. Restart your laptop and when the logo appears Lenovo click F2 (or Del, If F2 (doesn't work).
2. In the BIOS menu, find the section Advanced → Wireless LAN (or Onboard Devices).
3. Make sure that opposite the item Wireless LAN is worth the value Enabled.
4. Save changes (F10) and restart the laptop.

⚠️ Attention: In some BIOS versions Lenovo G560 The wireless network option may be hidden under the name PCIe/PCI Subsystem SettingsIf you haven't found the item you need, check all the tabs, especially Config or Security.

What to do if BIOS does not save settings?

If after saving (F10) and rebooting, the settings are reset, indicating a dead CMOS battery (on the motherboard). Replace it with a new one (CR2032 type), otherwise the date/time and BIOS settings will reset every time the power is turned off.

3. Checking wireless adapter drivers

If the hardware switch and BIOS are configured correctly, but Wi-Fi still does not work, Most likely the problem is with the drivers.. For Lenovo G560 adapters from are used Intel (models 1000, 5100, 6200) or Broadcom (4313, 4322). To check:

1. Click Win + X → select device Manager.
2. Expand the section Network adapters.
3. Find the device with the words Wireless, Wi-Fi or 802.11 in the title.
4. If there is a yellow exclamation mark next to the adapter, the driver is missing or not working properly.

Download the driver from the official Lenovo website:

• 🌐 Go to Lenovo support page.
• 🔍 Enter your laptop model (G560) → select your version of Windows.
• 📥 In the section Networking: Wireless LAN Download the latest driver.
• 🔧 Install it and restart your laptop.

⚠️ Attention: If after installing the driver Wi-Fi still doesn't work, try roll back the driver to the previous version. To do this, Device Manager Right-click on the adapter → Properties → tab Driver → Roll back.

4. Enable Wi-Fi via Windows settings

Even if the adapter is enabled and the driver is installed, wireless networking may be disabled at the operating system level. Check the following settings:

For Windows 10/11:

• 📶 Click on the network icon in the lower right corner → make sure the slider is on Wi-Fi included.
• ⚙️ Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → enable the option.
• 🔄 If the networks are not displayed, click Troubleshooting.

For Windows 7:

• 🖥️ Right-click on the network icon → Network and Sharing Center.
• 🔧 Choose Changing adapter settings → find Wireless network connection.
• 🔄 If the icon is gray, right-click → Turn on.

If your network is not shown in the list of available networks, try:

• 🔍 Make sure the router is turned on and distributing the network (check the indicators on it).
• 📶 Reboot the router (pull out the power cord for 30 seconds).
• 🔄 On your laptop, turn off/on the mode On the plane (combination Fn + F2 or through the notification panel).

✅ The physical Wi-Fi switch is turned on

✅ The adapter is not disabled in the BIOS.

✅ The wireless network driver is installed and working

✅ In Windows, Wi-Fi is activated in the settings

✅ The router is distributing the network (verified from another device) -->

5. Diagnosing adapter problems

If none of these methods help, the problem may be with the wireless adapter itself. Here's how to check:

Test 1: Checking in another place

Move your laptop closer to the router or try connecting to a different network (for example, at a cafe or via a mobile hotspot). If Wi-Fi works, the issue is with your router's coverage area.

Test 2: Checking via Live-CD

Download the image Linux Live-CD (for example, Ubuntu) and boot from it. If Wi-Fi works in Linux but not in Windows, the problem is with the drivers or OS settings.

Test 3: Hardware Test

If the adapter is not detected even in the BIOS, it may be physically damaged or has come loose from the connector. In this case:

• 🛠️ Disassemble the laptop and check if the Wi-Fi module is firmly seated in the slot mini-PCIe.
• 🔍 Inspect the antenna wires (they should be connected to the connectors MAIN And AUX on the module).
• 💰 If the adapter burns out, replace it with a similar one (suitable models: Intel 6200, Broadcom BCM4313).

⚠️ Attention: When disassembling a laptop Lenovo G560 Be careful with the keyboard and touchpad cables—they're easily damaged. If you're unsure, it's best to contact a service center.

6. Alternative ways to connect to the Internet

If you are unable to restore Wi-Fi operation, you can use temporary solutions:

1. Connection via cable (Ethernet)

Connect your laptop to the router via LAN cable. Even if the Ethernet connector is on G560 absent (in some modifications), can be used USB-Ethernet adapter (costs ~300–500 rubles).

2. USB Wi-Fi adapter

Buy an external USB adapter (recommended models: TP-Link TL-WN725N, ASUS USB-N10 Nano). It plugs into any USB port and does not require driver installation in modern versions of Windows.

3. Sharing Internet from your phone

Activate on your smartphone modem mode (hotspot) and connect to it from your laptop. Limitations: high data usage and rapid battery drain.

7. Common mistakes and their solutions

Here are the problems that owners face: Lenovo G560, and ways to eliminate them:

Error: "No connections available"

Cause: The adapter is turned on, but does not see the network.

• 🔧 Check if the SSID broadcast mode is disabled in the router (enable it in the router settings) Enable SSID Broadcast).
• 📡 Try adding a network manually: in the Wi-Fi settings, select Hidden network → Enter the name (SSID) and password.

Error: "Limited connection"

Cause: The laptop connects to the network, but the Internet does not work.

• 🔄 Restart your router and laptop.
• 🔧 In the connection properties (in Network and Control Center) check that automatic IP and DNS acquisition is enabled.
• 🛡️ Temporarily disable Windows Firewall or antivirus software (they may be blocking the connection).

Error: "Unable to connect to the network"

Cause: Incorrect password or incompatible security settings.

• 🔑 Make sure you enter the correct password (case sensitive!).
• 🔧 In your router settings, change the encryption type from WPA3 on WPA2-PSK (Lenovo G560 may not support new standards).

How to reset network settings in Windows?

If connection problems persist, reset your network settings:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Status.
2. Scroll down and click Network reset.
3. Confirm the action and restart the laptop.

After this, all saved networks and passwords will be deleted!

Lenovo G560 Wi-Fi FAQ

My Lenovo G560 can't detect any Wi-Fi networks, even though the adapter is turned on. What's wrong?

Most likely, the problem is with the driver or antennas. Try:

1. Reinstall the driver from the official Lenovo website.
2. Disassemble the laptop and check whether the antenna wires are connected to the Wi-Fi module (they may come loose over time).
3. Connect an external USB Wi-Fi adapter for testing.

My Wi-Fi stopped working after a Windows update. How do I fix it?

Windows updates often disrupt drivers. Solution:

1. Roll back the driver Device Manager (right click on the adapter → Properties → Driver → Roll back).
2. Download the latest driver from Lenovo's website (do not use Microsoft drivers!).
3. If that doesn't help, disable automatic driver updates in Windows.

Is it possible to replace the Wi-Fi module in the Lenovo G560 with a more modern one?

Yes, but with restrictions:

• The laptop supports modules of the format mini-PCIe (Not M.2!).
• Maximum speed is limited by standard Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), even if you install the module with 802.11ac.
• Recommended models for upgrade: Intel 7260 (dual band 2.4/5 GHz) or Broadcom BCM43228.

⚠️ Before purchasing, check if your BIOS has this option Whitelist - Some Lenovo versions block non-original modules.

The Wi-Fi indicator is on, but it can't find a network. What should I do?

Possible causes and solutions:

• Antenna hardware failure: Disassemble the laptop and check the integrity of the antenna wires (they may be frayed or torn from the connectors).
• Interference from other devices: Turn off any nearby microwaves, cordless phones, or other routers.
• Incompatible router channel: In the router settings, change the Wi-Fi channel from Auto to a fixed one (for example, 6 or 11).

How do I turn on Wi-Fi if the button on the case is broken?

There are several ways:

1. Use a keyboard shortcut Fn + F5 (wireless network function).
2. Enable the adapter via BIOS (section Wireless LAN → Enabled).
3. If the button is mechanically broken, you can temporarily fix the slider in the "on" position with tape or electrical tape (but this is not a long-term solution).
4. As a last resort, disable the hardware check of the button in the Windows registry (experience with this is required). regedit).