Windows 7 is unable to detect any wireless networks, 'No connections are available'.

Anonymous

I was trying to connect to my work's wireless network which has some security settings. I was trying to speed it up by checking the properties of that connection (right-click on the network name, clicked status). There was a button with the administrator logo on it labeled 'Disable', and I accidentally clicked it.

I was able to turn the wireless adapter on again, but no networks show up (there were at least five before). When I hover over the icon in the system tray, it says 'No connections are available'.

When I try to troubleshoot, the only error it has is that it says 'Wireless Capability Turned Off', and I can't find where to turn it back on.

I'm using an ASUS notebook with Windows 7 Home Premium installed. Thank you.

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Anonymous

thank you the f12 button on a hp laptop has this function as well, it must have been accidently pressed, regards max

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Anonymous

Hi rctorres,

Follow the troubleshooting methods listed below:

Method 1:

There may be a tiny switch on the side of the laptop (on in the front) that turns the wireless ON/OFF. Make sure you’ve switched it on.

You may also need to toggle the laptop WiFi by pressing and holding the Function key and pressing F2.

Let's run the network troubleshooter and see if it can detect and fix the problem.

Open the Network troubleshooter by right-clicking the network icon in the notification area, and then clicking Troubleshoot problems.

Refer the 'Microsoft Help' and 'How-to article' for more information:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Using-the-Network-troubleshooter-in-Windows-7

Method 2:

Do the following:

Click Start, type network and sharing centerin the Start search box and hit Enter.
Click Change adapter settings.
Right-click the connection and select Enable.

Method 3:

The majority of connection problems within Windows 7 have been solved by installing the latest driver for the wireless network adapter obtained from the manufacturer. Download and install the Windows 7 compatible drivers and check if the issue gets fixed.

Refer the following Microsoft article for more information on updating drivers:

Update drivers by following the instruction in this article:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Update-drivers-recommended-links

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91 additional answers

Anonymous

2010-07-10T14:59:22+00:00

I was having this problem and it turned out to the keyboard on/off for wireless (FN-F2) somehow it got into a state where wireless was disabled and bluetooth was enabled. The next FN-F2 keystroke turned both off and the next turned both back on. I then could see my networks!
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Anonymous

2010-11-27T03:10:30+00:00

Ok I finally found the answer by myself after months of not being able to find it anywhere.

When you flick that switch on your laptop you will notice on your screen a blue rectangle with two icons in it, a wireless tower and a bluetooth symbol. Both of these icons wit=ll be transparent. No matter which way you flick that switch, on or off, it never changes color or indicates that it is turning on or off. What you have to do is move your mouse and click on the wireless tower icon and it will turn from transparent to solid.

Congrats! You now have wifi!!!
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Anonymous

2011-03-27T10:42:36+00:00

This was very helpful. I've tried just about everything here. I had no idea there was a tiny switch on the PC. A lot of these support sites are written for geniuses. Thanks for the no-nonsense advice.
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