How to Fix an HP Laptop Not Connecting to WiFi

If your HP laptop not connecting to WiFi, it can be frustrating, especially when you need to get online quickly. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue at home within a short time. This guide will walk you through the most common solutions to get your HP laptop not connecting to WiFi problem fixed and reconnected.

How to Fix an HP Laptop Not Connecting to WiFi: Step-by-Step Solutions

1. Check Basic Connectivity

Before diving into more advanced solutions for HP laptop not connecting to Wi-Fi, ensure the problem isn’t with your Wi-Fi network itself. For more details Troubleshooting Wireless Network check: support.hp.com.

Here’s what to do:

• Restart your router: Unplug your router , wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait for the lights to stabilize before attempting to reconnect.
• Test with another device (mobile, tablet, laptop): Try to connect another device, like a mobile, tablet, or laptop, to the same wireless network to confirm it’s not a network or router issue.
• Check airplane mode: In your HP laptop, make sure airplane mode is turned off. You can usually find this setting in the taskbar or by searching for it in the Start menu.

2. Restart Your HP Laptop

A simple restart can fix HP laptop not connecting to WiFi even other wireless connectivity issues. Sometimes, the laptop just needs a reboot to re-establish a connection. Restarting refreshes the system and may resolve temporary network glitches.

3. Ensure WiFi is Enabled on Your Laptop

Many HP laptops come with a physical WiFi switch or a function key that enables/disables WiFi. Ensure this switch is on or that you’ve pressed the right function key (e.g., “F12” or another key with a WiFi icon) to turn on your laptop’s wireless functionality.

• You can also go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi to ensure Wi-Fi is toggled on in the software.

4. Update or Reinstall Your Network Driver

Outdated or corrupted network drivers can prevent your HP laptop from connecting to Wi-Fi. Follow these steps to update or reinstall your driver:

• Update the driver:
  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Network adapters.
  3. Right-click your WiFi adapter (often called something like “Intel Wireless” or “Realtek”), and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
• Reinstall the driver (if updating doesn’t work):
  1. In Device Manager, right-click the WiFi adapter.
  2. Select Uninstall device and confirm.
  3. Restart your laptop. Windows will automatically reinstall the correct driver.

Experiencing frequent Wi-Fi disconnections? Learn how to troubleshoot and fix common wireless connectivity problems with our in-depth guide: How to Fix the Windows Laptop won’t connect to WiFi

5. Reset Network Settings

If you’re still having trouble, resetting your network settings can resolve configuration issues that might be affecting Wi-Fi connectivity. This is how to do it:

• Windows 10/11:
  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select Network & Internet.
  3. Scroll down and click on Network reset.
  4. Confirm the reset and restart your laptop.

6. Check for Windows Updates

Sometimes, a Windows update can solve connectivity problems. Make sure your system is up to date:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Click Check for updates, and install any available updates.

If you don’t know how to check for Windows updates, read our related topic: How to keep Laptop Operating System Updated

7. Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter to Fix HP Laptop Not Connecting to WiFi

Windows comes with a built-in troubleshooter for network problems that might help you identify the issue. Here’s how to use it:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
2. Scroll down and click Network troubleshooter.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to identify and fix any WiFi issues.

8. Disable Power-Saving Settings for the Wi-Fi Adapter

In some cases, your HP laptop may disable the WiFi adapter to conserve power. You can turn off this setting to ensure the Wi-Fi adapter stays active:

1. Go to Device Manager.
2. Right-click your WiFi adapter and select Properties.
3. Go to the Power Management tab.
4. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power, then click OK.

9. Manually Enter the Wi-Fi Network

If your HP Laptop Not Connecting to WiFi or isn’t detecting your Wi-Fi network, you can manually enter the network details:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi.
2. Click Manage known networks and then Add a new network.
3. Enter your WiFi network’s SSID (name) and security details manually.
4. Try reconnecting to the Wi-Fi.

10. Perform a System Restore (Optional)

If your laptop recently stopped connecting to WiFi, you can try restoring your system to a point before the problem started to fix HP laptop not connecting to Wi-Fi:

1. Type System Restore in the Start menu and select Create a restore point.
2. Click System Restore and choose a restore point from a time when your Wi-Fi was working.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Finally

With the above following steps, you should be able to fix most advanced WiFi connection issues on your HP laptop. If none of the above solutions work, you might have a hardware issue with your Wi-Fi card, which may require professional repair or replacement.