Laptop won't connect to Wi-Fi: 6 things to check
In most cases the problem is in the settings, the router or the driver, not the hardware. A few simple steps are enough.
- Most common cause
- airplane mode, the router or a saved network
- Time
- 10–20 minutes
- Repair shop, if nothing helps
- 140–410 zł
Warning: a network reset in Windows deletes saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords. Keep your router password handy. Don't open the laptop casing if you have no experience doing so.
Step by step
Check airplane mode
See whether airplane mode is on (an icon in the taskbar, or a key with an airplane on the keyboard). Also check in Settings that Wi-Fi is turned on. Many Asus, HP and Dell laptops have a key with an airplane or antenna icon in the F row, often used with Fn.
Restart the laptop and the router
Restart the laptop. Unplug the router for a minute. Check whether other devices connect to this network. If they don't, the problem is the router or your internet provider.
Forget the network and reconnect
Right-click the network and choose Forget. Connect again and enter the password.
Update the driver
Update the Wi-Fi card driver in Device Manager or download it from the laptop manufacturer's website.
On a Mac, forget the network
Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, then turn Wi-Fi off and on. Then go to System Settings → Wi-Fi → Details, use “Forget This Network” and connect again.
Warning: reset the network
Warning: in Windows, go to Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset. The laptop will restart, and saved networks and passwords will be deleted.
- The Wi-Fi card doesn't appear in Device Manager.
- Other devices don't connect to the network either, so the problem is the router.
- The laptop sees the network, but the signal is very weak right next to the router.
- There's still no connection after a network reset and a driver update.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Diagnosis at a repair shop | 0–110 zł |
| Wi-Fi card replacement | 160–410 zł |
| Antenna or cable replacement | 140–340 zł |
| External USB Wi-Fi adapter (alternative) | 50–160 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
The settings almost always do the job. If the card is damaged, replacing it is cheap and worth it, and a USB adapter is an even simpler solution. Only use the calculator for a very old laptop.
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Open the calculator →FAQ
Why doesn't my laptop see any networks?
Most often airplane mode is on or the Wi-Fi card is turned off. Check the settings and the key with the airplane.
Is a network reset safe?
Yes, but it deletes saved networks and passwords. Keep your router password handy.
My phone connects to Wi-Fi but my laptop doesn't. What does that mean?
The router works. The problem is in the laptop, usually in the settings or the driver.