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

Anonymous
2010-05-13T15:36:14+00:00

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.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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Anonymous
2015-05-24T10:53:32+00:00

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
2010-05-14T09:56:08+00:00

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:

  1. Click Start, type network and sharing centerin the Start search box and hit Enter.
  2. Click Change adapter settings.
  3. 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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  1. Anonymous
    2015-09-28T18:11:34+00:00

    On a gateway laptop there is also an F3 key with a little wifi looking symbol on it. I was checking my email until my cat decided to walk across the Comp before I could stop him lol.  Spend twenty minutes looking up info till they said to look for a button FN key that's when I noticed the wifi symbol. I know it's sad but I wanted to let others know in case they are going why does fn & f2 literally doing nothing? Look for one with a picture on it and good luck. Thank god for cell phones cause I've no idea how I was going to update my drivers with no internet. Let alone try to google a solution without a phone!

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-07-20T10:45:51+00:00

    Hi,

    I cannot update the driver because I cannot access the internet. I have no "wireless capability". I have eventually pressed F2 (suggested elsewhere) as I restarted windows. This has lighted the "wireless" light at the front of my ASUS/W7 laptop keyboard. Despite this the adaptor is not turned on.

    Any ideas please?

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-07-09T07:07:15+00:00

    I have a question.... I had this proble and your fix helped me 100% but I was wondering do you know how this could happen say if I didn't change the settings myself like a virus or malware I'v scanned the **** out of my computer using software and manualy and can not find anything strange but little things have made me concernded and then this happened on it own im very worried now.

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