Start by finding out whether the fault is the router, the Windows settings, the driver or the WiFi card. Test a phone on the same network, toggle airplane mode, then work down through network reset and driver reinstall. If the WiFi adapter has vanished from Device Manager, or signal only works beside the router, suspect hardware.
Is the problem your laptop or your router?
Settle this first, because it saves an hour of pointless driver work. Connect a phone or another laptop to the same WiFi network. If they also struggle, restart the router (unplug it for thirty seconds) and check whether your internet provider has an outage. If everything else connects fine and only your laptop fails, the fault sits on the laptop.
Also try a different network, such as a phone hotspot. A laptop that joins the hotspot but not your home network points to router settings, a stored bad password or a band mismatch rather than a broken WiFi card.
What does the symptom tell you?
WiFi failures show up in a few distinct forms, and each one points at a different layer. Matching your symptom to the table below saves you from running every fix.
| What you see | Likely layer | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| No WiFi icon, or only airplane mode shows | Switch or setting | Airplane mode, Fn key, hardware switch |
| Networks listed, but "Can't connect to this network" | Saved profile or password | Forget the network and rejoin |
| Connected, but "No internet" | IP configuration, DNS or router | Release and renew the IP, flush DNS |
| Drops every few minutes | Driver or power management | Update the driver; disable adapter power saving |
| Strong near the router, dead two rooms away | Antenna connection | Technician check of antenna leads |
| No WiFi adapter in Device Manager at all | Card, slot or BIOS | Restart, BIOS check, then hardware |
Which software fixes work, in what order?
Try these in sequence. Each one is reversible, and most laptops respond to one of the first five.
- Toggle airplane mode and restart. Some laptops have an Fn key or slide switch that kills the radio. A full restart, not just sleep, clears many temporary glitches.
- Forget and rejoin the network. In Settings under Network and internet, open WiFi, choose Manage known networks, remove yours, and reconnect with the password.
- Run the built-in troubleshooter. In Windows 11 it lives under System, then Troubleshoot, then Other troubleshooters.
- Renew the connection. In an administrator Command Prompt, run ipconfig /release, then ipconfig /renew, then ipconfig /flushdns.
- Reset the network stack. Run netsh winsock reset and netsh int ip reset, then restart. If problems persist, use Network reset under Advanced network settings, remembering that it removes saved networks and VPN settings.
- Disable adapter power saving. In Device Manager, open the WiFi adapter's properties, go to Power Management, and untick "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power".
- Reinstall the driver. Uninstall the adapter in Device Manager and restart so Windows reinstalls it. If that fails, install the driver from the laptop maker's support site using another device and a USB stick.
Check the band and the router settings
Most home routers broadcast two bands. The 2.4 GHz band reaches further but is slower and congested in apartment blocks full of competing networks. The 5 GHz band is faster but fades more quickly through walls. If your laptop connects at the router's edge but drops, try the other band by name. If your router merges both bands under one name, giving them separate names makes this test possible.
When WiFi connects but the internet doesn't work
"Connected, no internet" is a separate fault from not connecting at all. Open a few different websites to rule out a single site being down. Then try changing your DNS servers: in the adapter's properties, open IPv4 settings and enter a public DNS service such as 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1. If pages load afterwards, your provider's DNS was the problem.
Also look for a VPN or proxy that is still switched on, since a stale one can block everything. In hotels, offices and cafes, you may need to open a browser and accept a login page before the network lets traffic through. If another device on the same WiFi also shows "no internet", the router or the provider is at fault, and no laptop fix will help.
What if a driver update broke it?
A WiFi adapter that worked yesterday and failed after an update points straight at the driver. In Device Manager, open the adapter's properties, choose the Driver tab and pick "Roll Back Driver" if the button isn't greyed out. Otherwise uninstall the update from Windows Update history. Leave the laptop on the older version until the maker releases a fix. Don't install driver packs from unknown websites. They are a common route for adware.
Bluetooth often shares the same card as WiFi. If Bluetooth also stopped working, the card or its driver is the shared factor. Our page on laptop WiFi repair covers both.
When is the WiFi card or antenna at fault?
Hardware causes are rarer but easy to recognise. Inside most laptops the WiFi card is a small M.2 module with two thin antenna wires running up through the lid hinge. If those wires have come off the card, which can happen after a screen or hinge job, the laptop sees networks only at very close range. A card that has died or worked loose may disappear from Device Manager entirely.
A technician will reseat the card, check the antenna leads and test with a known-good module. Indicative costs: antenna and cable repair ₹399 to ₹999, antenna plus card replacement ₹1,499 to ₹2,999, and a WiFi module upgrade ₹999 to ₹2,499. A driver reinstall and configuration is ₹350 to ₹399. Your model sets the final quote, and the ₹350 inspection is refunded when you approve the work.
The WiFi card replacement service page has the details. If the whole network adapter seems to have vanished along with other ports, the issue may be on the board, which is a motherboard repair job.
How do you keep WiFi stable afterwards?
Keep Windows and your laptop maker's drivers current, but update one thing at a time so you know what broke it. Place the router in a central, raised spot away from microwaves and thick walls. Restart the router occasionally, especially if it's several years old. And if speed rather than connection is your complaint, our guide to fixing slow WiFi speed is the next read.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my laptop WiFi disconnect when I wake it from sleep?
Windows may power down the adapter to save energy and fail to restart it properly. Disable the power-saving option in the adapter's properties and update the driver. Turning off Fast Startup also helps on some models.
Why can my phone connect but my laptop cannot?
The laptop's saved network profile, driver or WiFi card is the likely culprit, since the router clearly works. Forget the network, reset the network stack and reinstall the driver. If the adapter is missing from Device Manager, it's a hardware matter.
Can a damaged WiFi card be repaired?
These cards are normally replaced rather than repaired, which is quick and relatively inexpensive on most laptops. A few thin models have soldered WiFi, in which case a USB adapter is a practical workaround.
Is a USB WiFi adapter a good temporary fix?
Yes. It bypasses the internal card and keeps you online while you arrange a repair. Choose a reputable dual-band model and install its driver from the maker's site.
Still offline? Message your laptop model and what the network icon shows to +91 74997 61196, or arrange a free pickup and we'll test the card, the antenna leads and the driver on the bench. WiFi card jobs are usually done the same day.
