In today’s article, we’ll explore possible solutions to the problem of missing Wi-Fi settings on your Surface or Windows 10 device. Before trying any of the solutions that will be described in this post, make sure that the symptoms you have are the same as those described.
Wi-Fi settings are missing on Windows 10
Before you start, check the network and Internet settings on your Windows 10 device.
Select Start> Settings> Network and Internet.
You will not be able to connect to a wireless network if Wi-Fi is not listed in Network & Internet. If Wi-Fi is missing, the Internet access The icon will also be missing from your taskbar.
Below are some solutions to try in no particular order if you can’t connect to a wireless network, because Wi-Fi settings aren’t visible on your Surface or Windows 10 device.
- Restart your Windows 10 device and check the Wi-Fi settings
- Install Windows Updates
- Run the Windows network troubleshooter
- Check that Wi-Fi is available in Device Manager.
Now let’s see the details of these recommended solutions.
1]Restart your Surface or Windows 10 and check the Wi-Fi settings
If your Wi-Fi settings are missing, restart (not shut down) your Surface or Windows 10 device and check the Wi-Fi settings again.
Here’s how:
- Make sure your router is connected to a working phone jack or cable connection, directly or via a modem.
- To select beginning > Power> Restart, or if updates are pending, select Update and restart.
- After your Surface or Windows 10 device restarts, sign in.
- To select beginning > settings > Network & Internet .
- To select Airplane mode, and make sure the airplane mode is set to Of.
If the Wi-Fi settings are visible, select Wireless and make sure the Wi-Fi is set to Sure and that your network name appears in the list of available wireless networks. Select your network, then select Connect.
If the Wi-Fi settings are still missing, go to the next solution.
2]Install Windows Updates
Installing the latest updates can help resolve many common Wi-Fi connection issues, but you will need to be online to download the updates.
If you can’t connect to your home network or to a public wireless network in a cafe or library, here are other ways to connect and get updates:
- You can use a wired connection to connect (for example, with an Ethernet to USB adapter, or with the Surface and Ethernet docking station).
- You can manually download a single update file to install them. You can use another PC with Internet access to download the file to a USB memory stick and transfer it to your Surface.
- If you have a Surface 3 with built-in mobile broadband connectivity, you can use it to connect to the Internet and get updates.
Once online, you can manually check for and install the latest updates.
Here’s how:
- To select beginning > settings > Update and security > Windows Update.
- To select Check for updates. If updates are available, they will be downloaded and installed automatically.
- Once the updates are installed, if your device does not restart automatically, you can do it manually: Select beginning > Power > To restart, or if updates are pending, select Update and restart.
- Once your device has restarted, log in.
- Repeat these steps until you see Your device is up to date after selecting Check for updates.
3]Run the Windows network troubleshooter
Here’s how to run the Windows network troubleshooter, which can help diagnose and resolve Wi-Fi problems.
Select the beginning button and then select settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network troubleshooting tool, and choose from the options.
4]Check that Wi-Fi is available in Device Manager
In some cases, Wi-Fi can be disabled in Device Manager if Wi-Fi settings are missing on your Surface.
Here’s how to verify that Wi-Fi is available in Device Manager on your Windows 10 device.
- In the search box on the taskbar, enter Device Managerand select it from the results.
- Select the arrow next to Network adapters to expand the list of adapters and check if one of the following adapters is listed in the table below:
| Network controller / adapter | Surface device used in |
|---|---|
| Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX201 | Surface Laptop 3 (15 inch with Intel), Surface Laptop 3 (13.5 inch) and Surface Pro 7 |
| Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4A Wireless Network Adapter | Surface Go, Surface Laptop 3 (15 inch with AMD) and Surface Pro X |
| Marvell AVASTAR network controller | All other Surface devices |
The name of the network controller may be slightly different depending on your Surface model.
- Double-click on the respective controller or network adapter, select Driver tab and then select Disable device.
- In the warning box, select Yes.
- Then restart the network controller by selecting Activate Device.
- Restart your Surface by selecting beginning > Power > To restart, or if updates are pending, select Update and restart.
Need more suggestions? Refer to our article titled Troubleshoot network and Internet connection issues. You can also contact Microsoft support.