Wi‑Fi option disappeared from Windows and settings only shows Ethernet

Sourav Sahu 0 Reputation points
2026-09-11T06:48:13.8433333+00:00

My Wi‑Fi option suddenly disappeared from the taskbar and from settings. Under network & internet, i can only see ethernet there is no wi‑fi toggle to turn on or off.

I restarted the computer, but the wi‑fi option is still missing. I am using windows 11 and Asus TUF A15. I have been facing this problem for so many days but now, it is too frequent. Is it a hardware problem? There is no software update available and also, the device manager do not show the Wifi name.

Anyone knows how to solve it? I have shown a video proof

https://media2url.com/m/d9e1d1575e7249

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Internet and connectivity
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  1. DaveM121 929.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-11T07:22:08.6666667+00:00

    Most likely this is just caused by the WiFi drivers, please provide some information about your system

    1

    Right click your Start Button and open Device Manager.

    Expand the 'Network Adapters' section.

    Please provide a screenshot of that full Device Manager window.

    2

    Click your Start Button, then just type msinfo and press Enter, please provide a screenshot of the resulting System Information window.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-11T06:48:33.0066667+00:00

    Since Wi‑Fi is missing from both the taskbar and Settings > Network & internet, and Device Manager does not show the wireless adapter name, start with the adapter detection path.

    1. Open Device Manager.
      • Select Search on the taskbar, type Device Manager, and open it.
      • Expand Network adapters.
      • Check whether a wireless adapter is listed. On many systems this appears as an Intel, Qualcomm, or similar Wi‑Fi adapter.
    2. If a Wi‑Fi adapter is listed but disabled:
      • Double-click the adapter.
      • Open the Driver tab.
      • Select Enable Device if available.
      • Restart the PC from Start > Power > Restart.
    3. If the adapter appears but Wi‑Fi is still missing:
      • In Device Manager, double-click the wireless adapter.
      • On the Driver tab, select Disable Device.
      • Confirm with Yes.
      • Then select Enable Device.
      • Restart the PC.
    4. If the adapter is missing entirely from Device Manager:
      • This usually means Windows is not currently detecting the wireless hardware or driver.
      • Install the latest driver package for the PC model.
      • If internet is not available on that PC, use another PC to download the driver package to a USB drive, copy it to the affected PC, and install it.
      • After the driver install, restart and check Device Manager again.
    5. If internet is available through Ethernet:
      • Install the latest Windows and device updates.
      • Windows Update and updated device drivers can help restore Wi‑Fi functionality.
    6. Before making more disruptive changes:
      • Record the current state first. Advanced Windows troubleshooting guidance recommends collecting the baseline state before removing drivers, resetting networking, or restarting components because those actions can remove evidence or temporarily change behavior.

    Based on the symptoms, this can be either a driver detection problem or a hardware detection problem. If the wireless adapter continues to disappear from Device Manager even after reinstalling the correct driver, that points more strongly to the hardware not being detected consistently.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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