Windows reports that it cannot find a wireless adapter, or Device Manager shows no Wi-Fi adapter at all. The message means Windows cannot see the hardware, so the cause is a missing driver, a disabled adapter, or a hardware fault, not a network problem.
The fix, in order
Show hidden devices. Open Device Manager, choose View, Show hidden devices, and expand Network adapters. A greyed out adapter can be enabled by right-clicking it and choosing Enable device.
Scan for hardware changes. In Device Manager, choose Action, Scan for hardware changes, and see if the adapter appears.
Reinstall the driver. If the adapter appears with a warning, right-click it, choose Uninstall device, then restart. If it never appears, download the driver from the computer maker's support site on another device and install it from a USB drive.
Check BIOS or UEFI settings. Restart the computer, enter the BIOS or UEFI setup, and look for a wireless or WLAN enable option. Some laptops also have a physical Wi-Fi switch.
Try a USB Wi-Fi adapter. If a USB adapter works, the built-in adapter has likely failed. If the USB adapter also fails to appear, the problem is with Windows itself.
Run the Network troubleshooter. On Windows 11, the Get Help app can detect a missing adapter and suggest the next step.
Only install drivers from the computer or adapter maker's official support site. Third-party driver sites are a common source of malware, and the wrong driver can make the problem worse.
If it still happens
If the adapter is missing on a laptop that recently had its battery or case opened, the internal Wi-Fi card may have come loose. On most laptops the card is a small module that can be reseated, but if the device is under warranty, use the warranty rather than opening it.
Common questions
What is the difference between Wi-Fi missing and the adapter not found? Wi-Fi missing usually means the controls are hidden but the adapter is still listed in Device Manager. Adapter not found means Windows cannot see the hardware at all, which points to a driver or hardware problem.
Can a Windows update cause the adapter to disappear? Yes. An update can install a driver that fails to load, which makes the adapter vanish from Device Manager. Rolling back or reinstalling the driver from the maker's site fixes it.