WiFi option missing in Windows 11 showing only Ethernet with 10 proven fixes

WiFi Option Missing in Windows 11? 10 Proven Fixes That Work

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WiFi Option Missing in Windows 11? 10 Proven Fixes That Work (2026 Guide)

WiFi option missing in Windows 11 showing only Ethernet with 10 proven fixes
WiFi option missing in Windows 11 after update? Follow these proven fixes to restore the wireless adapter and WiFi icon.

WiFi icon suddenly disappeared? Only Ethernet showing? No wireless adapter in settings? Issue started after a Windows update?
You’re not alone. The WiFi option missing in Windows 11 problem usually appears without warning and leaves you stuck offline. In most cases, it’s not a hardware failure — it’s a driver issue, a disabled adapter, a broken service, or a buggy update.
The good news: you can fix it in minutes if you follow the right order.

Table of Contents

  1. Why WiFi Option Is Missing in Windows

  2. Fix WiFi Option Missing in Windows

    • Restart Your PC

    • Run Network Troubleshooter

    • Enable WiFi Adapter from Device Manager

    • Update Wireless Driver

    • Reinstall Network Adapter

    • Reset Network Settings

    • Check Windows Services

    • Roll Back Windows Update

  3. WiFi Option Missing After Windows 11 Update

  4. No WiFi Option in Device Manager?

  5. FAQs

  6. Conclusion

Why WiFi Option Is Missing in Windows 11

This issue doesn’t happen randomly. One of these is the real cause:

  • Windows update bug → breaks the working driver

  • WiFi adapter disabled → hidden from system

  • Missing / corrupted driver → WiFi option disappears

  • Power management → Windows turns off the device

  • Airplane mode glitch → adapter becomes unavailable

These are exactly the scenarios behind most “WiFi disappeared” searches — and they’re all fixable.

Fix WiFi Option Missing in Windows 11

Restart Your PC

Steps:

  1. Click Start

  2. Select Power → Restart

Expected result:
Temporary glitches clear and WiFi icon may return.

Run Network Troubleshooter

Steps:

  1. Settings → System → Troubleshoot

  2. Other troubleshooters

  3. Run Network and Internet

Expected result:
Windows auto-detects missing configuration.

Enable WiFi Adapter from Device Manager

Steps:

  1. Right-click Start → Device Manager

  2. Expand Network adapters

  3. Right-click your wireless device → Enable

Expected result:
WiFi option instantly appears in taskbar.

Update Wireless Driver

Steps:

  1. Device Manager → Network adapters

  2. Right-click WiFi device → Update driver

  3. Search automatically

Expected result:
Broken or outdated driver gets replaced.

Reinstall Network Adapter

Steps:

  1. Device Manager → Network adapters

  2. Right-click WiFi device → Uninstall

  3. Restart PC

Expected result:
Windows reinstalls a fresh driver.

Reset Network Settings

Steps:

  1. Settings → Network & Internet

  2. Advanced network settings

  3. Network reset

Expected result:
All adapters restored to default state.

Check Windows Services

Steps:

  1. Press Win + R → type services.msc

  2. Find WLAN AutoConfig

  3. Set to Automatic → Start

Expected result:
WiFi detection becomes active again.

Roll Back Windows Update

Steps:

  1. Settings → Windows Update → Update history

  2. Uninstall updates

  3. Remove latest update

Expected result:
WiFi returns if update caused the issue.

WiFi Option Missing After Windows 11 Update

If your WiFi vanished right after an update, the update replaced a perfectly working driver with an incompatible one.

Your priority order:

  1. Roll back the update

  2. Install latest driver from laptop manufacturer website

  3. Pause updates for 1–2 weeks

That sequence works far better than randomly trying fixes.

No WiFi Option in Device Manager?

This is where most people panic — incorrectly.

If the wireless adapter is completely missing, it means:

  • Driver is not installed

  • Adapter is disabled in BIOS

  • Hardware fault (rare)

Fix path:

  1. In Device Manager → View → Show hidden devices

  2. Scan for hardware changes

  3. Install official driver manually

Still not visible? Then — and only then — suspect hardware.

FAQs

Why did my WiFi disappear in Windows 11?

Because the driver stopped loading, the adapter got disabled, or a Windows update replaced a compatible driver.

How do I restore my WiFi option?

Re-enable the adapter → reinstall the driver → reset network. That order solves most cases.

Can Windows update remove WiFi?

Yes. It can install an incompatible driver and make the WiFi option vanish.

Conclusion

The WiFi option missing in Windows 11 issue is almost never permanent.
In 90% of cases, the real fix is:

Enable adapter → reinstall driver → network reset.

Don’t jump randomly between methods — follow the sequence.

Now the real engagement trigger:
Which method worked for you?

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