Windows 11 can connect to a wireless network from Quick Settings or the Settings app. You need a working Wi-Fi adapter, the network name, and the correct security credential unless the network uses an organization-managed sign-in method.
Connect Windows 11 to Wi-Fi
- Select the network, sound, or battery area on the right side of the taskbar to open Quick Settings.
- Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
- Open the list of available Wi-Fi networks.
- Select the network you are authorized to use.
- Choose Connect and enter the network security key when requested.
- Choose whether to connect automatically based on whether this is a network you trust and use regularly.
- Open a website or another network service to verify the connection works.
If no Wi-Fi networks appear
Check that Airplane mode is off and that Windows recognizes the wireless adapter. Device Manager can help identify a disabled or missing adapter, but obtain drivers from Windows Update or the PC/adapter manufacturer rather than a generic driver-download site.
Connected does not always mean Internet access
A PC can join the Wi-Fi network successfully while the router or Internet service is offline. If other devices on the same network also lack Internet access, troubleshoot the router, modem, or provider before repeatedly changing the Windows Wi-Fi settings.
Be careful with public Wi-Fi
Verify the network name before connecting, especially in hotels, airports, and cafes. Avoid automatically joining lookalike networks. Use encrypted websites and follow your organization’s VPN/security requirements when handling sensitive work on an untrusted network.
If Windows remembers an incorrect password, use the network’s Forget option and reconnect with the current credential rather than repeatedly retrying the saved configuration.
Keeping changes separate makes troubleshooting more reliable.
Forget and reconnect when credentials changed
If the router’s Wi-Fi password or security configuration recently changed, remove the saved network profile with Windows’ Forget option, then select the network again and enter the current credential. This is more targeted than resetting every network adapter on the PC.
No Wi-Fi option at all? See how to enable the Wi-Fi adapter in Windows 11.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.