How to Turn On Wireless Capability in Windows 10

“Wireless capability is turned off” is the message Windows 10’s network troubleshooter shows when your Wi-Fi adapter is disabled by a switch, a setting, or a driver. The good news is that it’s rarely a hardware failure. This guide walks through every fix, from the quick toggles to drivers, power settings, and the BIOS.

Quick Answer

Click the network icon on the taskbar and make sure Wi-Fi is on and Airplane mode is off. If your laptop has a Wi-Fi key (often Fn + F2, F12, or a key with an antenna or airplane icon) or a physical switch, press or flip it. Then go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and turn Wi-Fi On.

1. Check the Hardware Switch or Wi-Fi Key

• Many laptops have a function key with an antenna or airplane icon. Press it (sometimes with Fn). A light on the key or near the keyboard may change color.
• Older laptops may have a physical slider on the side or front edge.
• If the key doesn’t respond, your laptop maker’s hotkey or wireless utility driver may be missing; install it from the support site.

2. Turn Off Airplane Mode and Turn On Wi-Fi

1. Click the network icon (or open Action Center with Windows + A).
2. Make sure Airplane mode is off and the Wi-Fi tile is on.
3. In Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane mode, confirm Wi-Fi under Wireless devices is On.

3. Enable the Wi-Fi Adapter

1. Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
2. If Wi-Fi is gray and says Disabled, right-click it and choose Enable.

4. Check the Adapter’s Power Settings

Windows can turn the adapter off to save power and sometimes fails to turn it back on.

1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters, right-click your wireless adapter (it usually has “Wireless,” “Wi-Fi,” or “802.11” in the name), and choose Properties.
3. On the Power Management tab, uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Click OK.

Also check Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings > Wireless Adapter Settings > Power Saving Mode and set it to Maximum Performance.

5. Update, Roll Back, or Reinstall the Driver

1. In Device Manager, right-click the wireless adapter.
2. Choose Update driver > Search automatically, or download the latest driver from your PC or adapter maker (use another device or Ethernet if needed).
3. If the problem started after an update, open Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver.
4. Or choose Uninstall device (don’t delete the driver software) and restart; Windows reinstalls it.

6. Make Sure the WLAN Service Is Running

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Find WLAN AutoConfig. Set Startup type to Automatic and click Start if it’s stopped.

7. Reset the Network

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset > Reset now. This reinstalls adapters and resets settings; you’ll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords.

8. Check the BIOS/UEFI

If the adapter doesn’t appear in Device Manager at all, it may be disabled in firmware. Restart into the BIOS (Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > UEFI Firmware Settings) and look for Wireless LAN or WLAN under Configuration or Advanced. Set it to Enabled.

On Windows 11, read how to enable the Wi-Fi adapter.

Related: Connect to the internet on Windows 10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the troubleshooter say it can’t fix it?

The troubleshooter can’t flip hardware switches or BIOS settings. Use steps 1 and 8.

My Wi-Fi adapter is missing from Device Manager. Now what?

Check the BIOS, then click Action > Scan for hardware changes. If it still doesn’t appear, the adapter may need repair; a USB Wi-Fi adapter is a quick workaround.

Does this apply to Windows 11?

Yes. The steps are similar; Wi-Fi is under Settings > Network & internet.

Summary

1. Press the Wi-Fi key or flip the switch.
2. Turn off Airplane mode and turn on Wi-Fi.
3. Enable the adapter in ncpa.cpl and disable its power saving.
4. Update the driver, check WLAN AutoConfig, reset the network, or check the BIOS.