This problem can also cause the Wi-Fi option in the taskbar to disappear. If you encounter this issue, follow the instructions in our Wi-Fi Option Missing from Task Tray article.
1. Check the Wi-Fi Card
If your motherboard does not have a built-in wireless card, and you’ve acquired a separate Wi-Fi card, confirm that your computer’s Wi-Fi card is inserted and seated properly in its designated slot. A secure connection is essential; any misalignment or loose connection could render the card undetectable by Windows, thereby causing the Wi-Fi option to disappear. Ensure the card is well connected and, if possible, test it in another system to exclude hardware defects.
2. Turn on the Required Service
When the WLAN AutoConfig service is not active, your system’s ability to manage wireless connections is impaired. Setting this service to start automatically allows Windows to properly initialize and manage your Wi-Fi settings, which can restore the missing Wi-Fi option in your settings menu.
3. Update Wi-Fi Driver
When Wi-Fi drivers are out-of-date, they may lack vital bug fixes and optimizations. Updating your Wi-Fi driver ensures that the adapter operates with the latest enhancements provided by the manufacturer, often restoring functionality that might have been lost due to incompatibilities or bugs in older versions.
4. Reinstall Wi-Fi Driver
When the driver software becomes corrupt or clashes with other processes, its functions may be impaired. By completely removing the old driver and installing the latest version, you clear out any corrupted files, potentially resolving connectivity issues and restoring the missing Wi-Fi options in your Windows settings. After uninstalling, download the latest drivers for your Wi-Fi card from the manufacturer’s website, install them, and then restart your system.
5. Modify Power Management Settings
These settings, found in the Device Manager under your network adapter’s properties, often allow your system to disable devices to conserve power. If this option is active for your Wi-Fi card, it may accidentally switch off network capabilities, especially under low battery conditions or when the device slips into power-saving mode. By deselecting this feature, you make sure that your wireless card remains active, preserving your Wi-Fi connection’s uninterrupted presence in Windows Settings.
