I uninstalled my wifi adaptor because my wifi option disappeared.

Question

I uninstalled my wifi adaptor because my wifi option disappeared.

Belema Tamuno-Francis 0

I read on the internet to uninstall my wifi adapter and restart my laptop. After restarting, the adapter still didn’t show up. I have scanned for hardware changes but still, nothing. What else can I do because I have files I need to send ASAP

makumba chella 0 Reputation points

2026-03-21T12:44:05.46+00:00

i have tried following the instruction but still the wifi issues is not resolved. my laptop is a legion 7 pro running windows 11 pro.
Lychee-Ng 28,300 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-23T06:22:38.9166667+00:00

Hi makumba chella,

Is your situation identical to OP or your wifi was having trouble? If you tried to manually install the driver, where did you get it and how did you transfer that package to your PC?
In addition, consider making your own thread with correct tags and details on your device to get more imminent help!
Jessica Garn 0 Reputation points

2026-07-19T03:58:15.1066667+00:00

Just go into the network settings and factory reset the network settings back to original! This unistalls and reinstalled all the drivers for me!! I accidentally uninstalled mediated wifi and couldn't connect to the internet.
Jessica Garn 0 Reputation points

2026-07-19T03:59:00.3366667+00:00

Just go into the network settings and factory reset the network settings back to original! This unistalls and reinstalled all the drivers for me!! I accidentally uninstalled mediated wifi and couldn't connect to the internet.
ramona onuki 0 Reputation points

2026-08-23T21:23:22.7966667+00:00

i uninstalled my wifi servers since i was also having wifi issues thinking that it would fix the problem, but obviously it didn’t work. i’ve tried everything there is to reinstall it and it still doesn’t work. it’s been two days and i need my pc for schoolwork. i’ve been using the usb tether, but it’s extremely slow and takes hours to download a small file. if anyone has any tips i’d love to hear them
Lychee-Ng 28,300 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-24T07:45:49.6266667+00:00

Hi ramona onuki, what's your laptop exact model? I might be able to provide step by step solution based on that.

2 answers

Your answer

makumba chella 0 Reputation points

2026-03-21T12:44:05.46+00:00

i have tried following the instruction but still the wifi issues is not resolved. my laptop is a legion 7 pro running windows 11 pro.
Lychee-Ng 28,300 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-23T06:22:38.9166667+00:00

Hi makumba chella,

Is your situation identical to OP or your wifi was having trouble? If you tried to manually install the driver, where did you get it and how did you transfer that package to your PC?
In addition, consider making your own thread with correct tags and details on your device to get more imminent help!
Jessica Garn 0 Reputation points

2026-07-19T03:58:15.1066667+00:00

Just go into the network settings and factory reset the network settings back to original! This unistalls and reinstalled all the drivers for me!! I accidentally uninstalled mediated wifi and couldn't connect to the internet.
Jessica Garn 0 Reputation points

2026-07-19T03:59:00.3366667+00:00

Just go into the network settings and factory reset the network settings back to original! This unistalls and reinstalled all the drivers for me!! I accidentally uninstalled mediated wifi and couldn't connect to the internet.
ramona onuki 0 Reputation points

2026-08-23T21:23:22.7966667+00:00

i uninstalled my wifi servers since i was also having wifi issues thinking that it would fix the problem, but obviously it didn’t work. i’ve tried everything there is to reinstall it and it still doesn’t work. it’s been two days and i need my pc for schoolwork. i’ve been using the usb tether, but it’s extremely slow and takes hours to download a small file. if anyone has any tips i’d love to hear them
Lychee-Ng 28,300 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-24T07:45:49.6266667+00:00

Hi ramona onuki, what's your laptop exact model? I might be able to provide step by step solution based on that.

Answer 1

Try these steps in order on the Windows device that lost Wi‑Fi after uninstalling the adapter:

Check Device Manager for the adapter
1. Select Search on the taskbar, type Device Manager, and open it.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. If a wireless adapter is listed but disabled, press and hold (or right‑click) it and select Enable device.
If the wireless adapter is missing in Device Manager
When the adapter does not appear at all, Windows is not detecting it and will not reinstall it automatically. In that case:
1. On another PC with internet access, go to the laptop/PC manufacturer’s support site.
2. Download the latest Wi‑Fi / Wireless network adapter driver for the exact model and Windows version.
3. Copy the driver to a USB flash drive.
4. On the affected laptop, plug in the USB, run the driver installer (or use Device Manager → Action → Scan for hardware changes, then Update driver and point to the driver folder).
5. After installation, restart the laptop and check if Wi‑Fi appears.
Use the generic uninstall/reinstall flow (if the adapter shows up again but still fails)
If the adapter is visible but not working properly:
1. In Device Manager, expand Network adapters.
2. Press and hold (or right‑click) the wireless adapter and select Uninstall device.
3. Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device (or Delete the driver software for this device), then select Uninstall.
4. Select Start → Power → Restart.
5. After restart, Windows will try to reinstall the driver automatically. If it does not, install the backup driver downloaded from the manufacturer as in step 2.
If still no adapter is detected
If the adapter still does not appear in Device Manager after installing the correct driver, this usually indicates either:
- The driver package is not correct for the hardware/model, or
- A hardware/BIOS issue with the Wi‑Fi card.
In that case, use a temporary workaround to send files ASAP:
- Connect via Ethernet if the device has a wired port.
- Or use a USB Wi‑Fi adapter (plug‑and‑play on most systems).
- Or transfer files via USB flash drive to another device that has internet access.

For Surface devices specifically, also verify in Device Manager → Network adapters that a supported Wi‑Fi adapter (Intel, Qualcomm, or Marvell AVASTAR as listed in the references) is present and enabled; if present but failing, use the same uninstall/reinstall steps and then install the latest Surface driver/firmware package from another PC via USB.

References:

Answer 2

Lychee-Ng 28,300 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Belema Tamuno-Francis,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

I understand how stressful this must feel, when you need to send files, but your Wi‑Fi adapter was uninstalled and not coming back.

This happens because when a driver is removed, especially if it’s removed from the system, Windows normally tries to go online to reinstall it automatically. But since the adapter driver is gone, the system can’t connect to the Internet to download the replacement. Here’s what you can try:

1 - If the driver package is still saved on your PC

Press Win + X > open Device Manager > Expand Network adapters
Click Action > Scan for hardware changes > see if the adapter reappears
If not, click View > check Show hidden devices > look for a gray-out adapter
If you see one in the list, right‑click it > click Enable > try connecting to Internet.

2 - Reinstall the Wi‑Fi driver manually

If you have Ethernet cable or USB tethering from your phone.
Or use another device with internet (e.g. cellular data or PC)
Go to your laptop manufacturer’s website (Lenovo, HP, etc.)
Download the Wi‑Fi driver for your model (& Windows 11)
Transfer it to your laptop (with a USB drive or Bluetooth)
Double-click to install and / or restart the PC then check.

If you want, tell me the laptop brand and model. I can help you find the correct website for the Wi‑Fi driver download.

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Lychee-Ng 28,300 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-06T10:22:34.26+00:00

Hi Belema Tamuno-Francis, just checking in to see if you have any other updates. Feel free to reply with more details so I can support further!
John Paceno 0 Reputation points

2026-07-14T07:46:00.25+00:00

Hi Lychee-Ng, I have got the same Problem. While I was trying to fix my wifi option and using the solution from ai, i accidentally ticked the box “Attempt to remove the driver for this device” while uninstalling the Wifi Adapter. My Laptop is MSI Modern 15 B13M. And I Have no clue what to do. I tried connecting my mobile data in the laptop but it doesn’t seem to connect at all.
Lychee-Ng 28,300 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-14T09:19:21.9366667+00:00

Hi John Paceno, even if you try to connect your PC with mobile data, it still goes via Wi-Fi connection so what's happening is expected.

You need to use that phone of yours to download the drivers, then use a USB cable (or Bluetooth if that still works) to transfer those downloaded packages to your PC. Another option is to connect your phone with your PC and choose USB tethering (if it's supported) to let your PC have temporary Internet connection.

For your specific laptop, please visit the official MSI website: https://www.msi.com/support/download > look for your model and download the Wi-Fi drivers. (Or you can also check this third-party site designed for simple drivers download: https://www.drvhub.net/laptops/msi/modern-15-b13m)

Disclaimer: These are non-Microsoft websites. Watch out for ads, and thoroughly research before you decide to download anything from there. Microsoft makes no guarantees, implied or otherwise, about the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.
John Paceno 0 Reputation points

2026-07-14T09:31:03.5266667+00:00

Hi Lychee-Ng, My Bluetooth isn’t working, i can’t connect. I’m on my phone which right now I’m connecting to it with the USB-C Wire. I don’t have USB Tethering Either. Now I have The Wifi Driver zip file on my phone i downloaded using the support page of MSI with the Model and its Brand then the drivers and Windows11-64. I don’t know what to do next.
Lychee-Ng 28,300 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-14T10:25:45.9066667+00:00
So you can connect your phone with PC, right? Based on what you described, here's what to do next:

On your phone, choose File Transfer (MTP) if prompted.

Open File Explorer on the PC > go to the phone's storage

Copy the Wi‑Fi driver ZIP file to your Desktop.

Right-click the ZIP > Extract All > open the extracted folder.

If you see Setup.exe / Install.exe or any installer .exe > double-click it.

Follow the installation wizard to install drivers > restart the PC when finished.

If there is no setup file, there should be at least .INF, .SYS, .CAT

If found, press Win + X > Device Manager > Scan for hardware changes

If Wi‑Fi is still missing, find a device with yellow warning icon

Right-click it > Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers

Go to the extracted driver folder above > check Include subfolders

Click Next and Windows should find the correct file and install the driver.
John Paceno 0 Reputation points

2026-07-14T11:49:26.4633333+00:00

Hi Lychee-Ng, Thank you so much for being here as helping me to get my internet back. It was a Success! The Solution from this Problem: “I accidentally Deleted my Wireless LAN from My Pc/Laptop in my Device Manager after ticking the box that says “Attempt to remove the driver for this device”.” Was to Use another device like another Laptop for example. Iphones would help too, but I used it on my laptop since my Step-Dad Had a Hard Drive. I used that Hard Drive after downloading a copy of my Brand’s Support Page Online to see if they have it from the specific model i looked up. Transporting it to the hard drive then used the hard drive on my Computer Wifi Problem before running the Instal Batch. Then Check the Device Manager, it will pop up with your main Wifi Driver. Thank You For this, Have a Good Day.
Lychee-Ng 28,300 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-14T13:22:22.3533333+00:00

Glad I could help!