For a laptop not showing available networks, switch on Wi-Fi, turn off airplane mode, restart the adapter, update drivers, and start the WLAN service.
Few things stall work like a laptop that shows a blank Wi-Fi list. The good news: most fixes are quick to try. This guide walks through rapid checks, moves to targeted steps for Windows and macOS, plus router tweaks and tough repairs. Work through them in order; you’ll hit the common culprits first and save time.
Quick Checks Before Deeper Steps
Start simple. These checks catch the easy wins that block the network list from loading at all.
- Confirm Wi-Fi is toggled on in the system menu.
- Turn airplane mode off.
- Check for a physical wireless switch or an FN shortcut on the laptop body.
- Reboot the laptop and the router.
- Move closer to the router and remove obvious obstacles.
- Unplug any USB dongles that might interfere with radio signals.
| Check | Where | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi toggle | System tray or menu bar | Wireless icon turns solid; list starts to populate |
| Airplane mode | Quick settings | Mode off; wireless icon appears |
| Hardware switch | Edge of chassis or FN shortcut | Indicator light on; radio enabled |
| Router reboot | Power cycle | Networks reappear after 1–2 minutes |
| Distance check | Within one room | Stronger signal; more SSIDs visible |
Why My Laptop Won’t Display Wi-Fi Networks: Quick Fixes
Now use the steps below that match your system. Screens can change with updates, but the sequence stays consistent.
Windows 11/10: Restore The Network List
- Use the built-in troubleshooter. Open Settings > Network & Internet; pick the troubleshooter from the status page or the more settings panel. It resets services and flags disabled adapters.
- Enable the wireless adapter. In Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click the Wi-Fi card, and choose Enable. If it already shows as enabled, pick Disable, wait ten seconds, then Enable again.
- Restart WLAN AutoConfig. Press Win+R, type
services.msc, press Enter, find WLAN AutoConfig, and pick Restart. If Startup type isn’t Automatic, set it and apply. See Microsoft’s guide to fixing Wi-Fi issues for screenshots and extra tips. - Update or reinstall the driver. In Device Manager, right-click the Wi-Fi adapter > Update driver. If Windows reports the best driver is already installed, get the latest package from your laptop maker or the adapter vendor, then use Browse my computer for drivers.
- Reset network settings. Settings > Network & Internet > Network reset. This removes and reinstalls network adapters and clears old stacks. You’ll need to rejoin Wi-Fi afterward.
- Turn off power saving for Wi-Fi. Device Manager > your Wi-Fi adapter > Properties > Power Management. Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power,” then test.
- Check VPN or security tools. Pause them briefly. Some filter drivers hide wireless lists or block scans. If the list appears after pausing, adjust that tool’s settings.
If you need an official walkthrough, see Microsoft’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide, which includes missing toggles, service restarts, and adapter resets.
macOS: Bring Back The Wi-Fi List
- Toggle Wi-Fi off and on. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, turn it off, wait ten seconds, then turn it on. Try joining again.
- Use Wireless Diagnostics. Hold Option, click the Wi-Fi icon, choose Open Wireless Diagnostics, and follow the prompts. The summary shows issues that block network scans and offers fixes.
- Forget and rejoin a known SSID. System Settings > Wi-Fi > Details next to the network > Forget This Network, then reconnect.
- Check date and time. Wrong time can break secure handshakes, which may hide networks that require 802.1X or captive portals.
- Update macOS. Network drivers ship with macOS updates. Install the latest point release, then test again.
- Review VPN or security tools. Pause them, then refresh the list. If networks appear, adjust exclusions inside that app.
Apple documents the built-in tool here: Use Wireless Diagnostics on your Mac.
Router And Signal Basics That Hide SSIDs
Sometimes the laptop is fine; the access point settings or local radio noise keep networks from showing. These tweaks help the list populate again.
Band And Channel Choices
- Try both bands. Some adapters scan 2.4 GHz first. If the router is set to 5 GHz only, your list may look empty until the scan cycles.
- Pick a cleaner channel. In the router admin page, set 2.4 GHz to channels 1, 6, or 11. For 5 GHz, avoid DFS channels if your adapter struggles with them.
- Disable “hidden SSID.” Hidden networks require manual entry and often fail on first join. Show the name, connect once, then decide if you still want it hidden.
Placement And Interference
- Raise the router and keep it off the floor.
- Move it away from thick walls, large mirrors, and big metal objects.
- Keep microwave ovens and cordless phone bases a room away from the router if possible.
Security and compatibility settings can hide a network from view. Some newer routers run WPA3-only mode; older adapters scan but skip those beacons. Set the router to mixed WPA2/WPA3 mode, save, and scan again. Region settings matter. If the router region doesn’t match the country, channels outside the adapter’s allowed range won’t show. Pick the correct region and a channel. Also check MAC filter lists. If the router uses an allow-list, switch that off while you test; add the laptop’s MAC once things work.
Windows Fixes For Tough Cases
Still stuck? These steps rebuild low-level pieces that feed the network list.
Clean Driver Reinstall
- Download the newest Wi-Fi driver from your laptop maker or adapter vendor.
- In Device Manager, right-click the adapter and choose Uninstall device. Tick “Delete the driver software for this device.”
- Reboot. Windows will load a basic driver or none. Run the vendor package you downloaded and reboot again.
Network Stack Refresh
- Open Windows Terminal as admin.
- Run:
netsh winsock reset - Run:
netsh int ip reset - Restart the PC and scan for networks again.
Service And Policy Review
- WLAN AutoConfig. Startup type should be Automatic, Status should be Running. If it keeps stopping, scan for third-party services that hook the network stack and test with a clean boot.
- Group policy on managed PCs. Some profiles disable Wi-Fi scans. If this is a work device, ask IT if a policy hides SSIDs on purpose.
- Radio disable pins. On some laptops, a BIOS setting or vendor hotkey can keep the radio off after sleep. Reset that toggle inside the vendor utility and update BIOS if an update mentions wireless fixes.
| Scenario | Action | What Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Driver corruption | Clean reinstall | New driver files and registry entries |
| Winsock errors | Stack refresh | Resets sockets and TCP/IP |
| Service disabled | Set WLAN AutoConfig to Automatic | Background scans resume |
| Policy block | Remove or edit profile | Wi-Fi scans allowed |
| Vendor hotkey lock | Toggle radio in vendor app | Hardware radio re-enabled |
macOS: Deeper Repairs When Lists Stay Empty
Safe Mode And Fresh Network Files
- Boot to Safe Mode, then turn Wi-Fi on and check the list. If SSIDs appear, a login item or system extension blocks scans during normal boots.
- Back in a normal boot, remove the Wi-Fi service and add it again: System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Details > Remove Service, then add Wi-Fi.
New Location Profile
- System Settings > Network > the three-dots menu > Locations.
- Create a new location and apply. This writes a fresh set of network preferences, which can restore scanning.
PRAM/NVRAM And SMC Reset On Intel Macs
- Shut down, then hold Option+Command+P+R for about 20 seconds at power-on for PRAM/NVRAM.
- For SMC: shut down, then Shift+Control+Option plus Power for ten seconds on built-in keyboards, release, and start up.
When The Hardware Itself Is The Problem
Sometimes the wireless card or its antennas fail. These clues point to a hardware fault:
- No Wi-Fi option anywhere in settings after a clean OS reinstall.
- Device Manager shows unknown network controller with errors, even with vendor drivers.
- Only Bluetooth works on a combo card, or Wi-Fi drops whenever the lid moves.
- The laptop overheats near the wireless module and the list vanishes during heat spikes.
Quick ways to confirm:
- Boot a live Linux USB and check if networks appear. If not, hardware looks suspect.
- Test with a known-good USB Wi-Fi adapter. If the list appears, the internal card may need replacement.
Preventive Care For A Stable Wi-Fi List
- Install OS updates and vendor driver packages on a regular cadence.
- Leave enough free disk space; low space can block updates that refresh wireless components.
- Keep the router firmware up to date and set automatic reboots on a weekly schedule if your model allows it.
- Use simple SSID names without special characters that confuse older adapters.
- Store a backup of your Wi-Fi passwords in a password manager so reconnecting after a reset takes seconds.
Still No Available Networks? Try This Clean Path
- Run the quick checks at the top.
- Follow the Windows or macOS section for your device.
- Tune router bands and channels, then scan again.
- Apply the tough-case steps for your platform.
- Rule out hardware with a USB Wi-Fi dongle or a live USB test.
If you reached this point, you now have a methodical playbook for bringing the Wi-Fi list back. Keep your driver packages handy, note which step solved it, and you’ll be ready next time this glitch shows up.