Wifi Does Not Appear On Windows 10

This is on an Acer laptop, here is the summary.

1) Windows 10
2) Was working hunky-dory and then poof
3) Can see the wifi adapter in Device Manager, has no problems
4) Uninstalled, deleted, reinstalled, put most recent driver
5) The device shows up in Network Connections, no big red X on it and is Enabled
6) I can connect manually to my own router (input credentials manually)
7) Cannot see any other networks (no discovery)
8) Cannot see WiFi icon even though notifications are all turned on
9) Tried all I could read/find online
10) Hardwire works fine
11) Wireless works fine when manually connected bt if I am at another location, I don't see available networks


Thanks, more info on request....

 

How far are you from the wifi router? It seems that the signal is not being found. I have a piece of hardware that picks up signals from some distance. Point the dome...
Good luck with it.
You could try a wifi USB dongle and see if it works.
s.

 

I'm 3 feet away. Also when I'm 50 feet away the WiFi works. Also as noted at #6, I can connect and use the internet.

The issue is the WiFi does not show up on the list and I believe that is the reason it doesn't show other networks. It doesn't even show my network.

 

Most notebooks have an extra little button somewhere that instantly kills all wireless (wifi and BT). Mine is just "under" the front edge. I lost my wireless connection once and it drove me crazy because I could not figure out what was wrong. Then I flipped the notebook upside down, getting ready to open the case and noticed the little button with the antenna icon. I push it, instantly got my wireless connection, then cussed myself out for the next 15 minutes for all the wasted time I spend.

If yours does not have an extra button, it my use a Fn + F-key combination.

 

'How do I turn the wifi on my acer laptop?'
s.

 

Folk, I truly appreciate the helping effort but look at my post, all i need is to have the WiFi icon appear and for it to list on the Network section.

Wireless works fine as noted in #10 line.

ALL I WANT IS THAT DAMN WIFI TO SHOW ON WINDOWS 10!!!! Otherwise no network discovery and when I go elsewhere, no options to connect to isp providers.

 

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/notification-area-icons-missing-windows
Works for notification area.
In Administrative Tools, Services, try cycling WLAN AutoConfig. It is set to Automatic here, and is running.

 

Unfortunately, no help with that either.

 

Sorry, but this just adds to the confusion.

You say "wireless" works fine as noted in line #10 but line #10 refers to the "hardwire" connection. A hardwire connection, by definition means "wired" (via an "Ethernet" cable), not "wireless". Please understand that wireless and Ethernet are totally different connections, even with the same computer. That is, Ethernet connects to your router via your router's 4-port Ethernet switch. Wireless devices on your network connect first to your WAP (wireless AP or wireless access point), a separate, discrete network device that is integrated into your router. The WAP then connects internally to your router, typically via a 5th internal Ethernet port.

These are two separate network connections joined by your router (not by your computer). This means just because your notebook can connect via Ethernet, that does not mean it will automatically connect via wireless.

So again, in effect you have two separate networks in your home, your Ethernet (wired) network that connects your wired devices directly with a cable to your router's 4-port Ethernet switch. And your wireless network that connects your wireless devices via the integrated WAP to a separate connection inside the router.

More confusion comes when you say you cannot see in discovery other wireless networks, but then say,

What do you mean by "manually"? And what credentials? Does that include the wireless passphrase?

Then how did you connect at other locations as noted in #11?

In your WAP (likely accessed via your wireless router's admin menu) do you have SSID Broadcasting enabled? In most case, you don't need it enabled. But I have one device that cannot be setup to access my wireless network unless SSID Broadcasting is enabled. Once I setup wireless access, I can then disable SSID Broadcasting and this device will then connect from then on with no problems. If I try to setup wireless access without SSID Broadcasting enabled, it will not discover the network and will not allow me to connect even though I know the correct passphrase and network name.

 

My mistake, meant line #11, not #10. WiFi works fine when I manually enter my router's identifier and password. There isn't a display of active networks for me to choose from, this is the main issue that I want to solve.

I know my router's 'name' and password. I entered those through manual setup of wireless internet. So it works at home but still does not show the little icon on Taskbar, which in turn does not let me see other networks (like when I go to McDonalds or whatever or my neighbors).

 

Your router's "password" is NOT the same thing as your wireless "passphrase".

The password is what you enter to access your router's admin menu. The passphrase is what you enter in each computer/device to access your wireless network with those devices.

This may seem nit-picky but when discussing technical issue, everyone has to be on the same page.

See if anything here helps.

 

Unfortunately not. Done these before, nothing has helped yet. Surely there is a solution aside reloading the entire effing OS.

 

My results did not show either of those two registry entries, basically search returned nothing.

 

Also, not that "Network" is the only grayed-out and dead slider in the whole menu (not all shown). It does not move no matter how much I threaten or seduce it.

 

• Have you tried sfc /scannow as a Command Prompt with admin rights.

It takes around ten minutes so be patient.
It checks the system files.
s.

 

Note in your post #12 above, for Notifications & Actions, you are not supposed to be able to click any of those. You click the "Add or remove quick actions" link below that to select them. Make sure Network is on there.

 

Did it, nothing found, no change. Still remains a COMPLETE BAFFLING MYSTERY.

 

That's what I keep saying, NETWORK IS NOWHERE!!

 

I just want this STUPID ICON back so that I can choose different networks. THAT IS ALL FFS!!!

 

Have you tried Taskbar settings?
Right click the Taskbar and choose Taskbar settings.
Under Notification Area there is a blue line under the words Select which icons appear on the taskbar.
This opens a page.
The Network icon could be there. If it is greyed try switching it on.
Good luck,
s.

 

It's not even there... this is so frustrating,..

 

If you cant see the gateway, check the NIC of the device your trying to connect with, in Device Manager.

"Network Adapters"
Does it show here?

If so, can you right click it, select 'disable'......then 'enable'?

If you can see other networks accept yours, then your modem/router is likely misconfigured.

 

It's grayed out, if I'm at the same place you are pointing to.