HP Laptop Not Connecting to WiFi on Windows 10 (SOLVED)
A WiFi network is easy to set up and easy to connect to. Mobile devices are able to connect to a WiFi network out of the box and desktops normally only need a driver in most cases. Windows 10 will install generic drivers when you first boot to your desktop but propriety drivers will be installed later or you can install them manually.
HP laptop not connecting to WiFi?
WiFi chips and drivers aren’t all the same. You will find that some laptops are able to connect to a WiFi network more easily than others. It comes down to a difference in hardware (the wireless chip that’s used) and the hardware configuration.
Basic check
If your HP laptop is not connecting to a WiFi network, run through the following checks.
- Check if any other device on hand is able to connect to the network.
- Move close to the router and check if it connects.
- Restart the router and your laptop.
If the laptop isn’t connecting, try the following fixes.
1. Forget and join network again
Forget the network you’re trying to connect to and then try joining it again.
- Open the Settings app with the Win+I keyboard shortcut.
- Go to Network and Internet.
- Select the WiFi tab.
- Click Manage known networks.
- Select the network and click Forget.
- Restart the system.
- On your desktop, click the WiFi icon in the system tray.
- Select the network and enter the password.
2. Run wireless network troubleshooter
Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter that can fix problems with the wireless card and reset it.
- Open the Settings app with the Win+I keyboard shortcut.
- Go to Update & Security.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Click Additional troubleshooters.
- Run the Internet Connections troubleshooter and apply all fixes that it recommends.
- Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter and apply all fixes that it recommends.
- Restart the system.
3. Update wireless driver
Check if the driver for the wireless adapter needs to be updated. If it does, the update will likely fix the problem with network card.
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters.
- Right-click your wireless card and select Update drivers.
- Search online for drivers and install them.
- Restart the system.
4. Install proprietary drivers
If you never installed proprietary drivers for the wireless network card, it may be the reason the laptop will not connect to the WiFi network.
- Visit the official HP drivers website.
- Select Laptop and enter the serial number or the service tag.
- Look for wireless drivers and download and install them.
- Restart the system.
5. Install Windows 10 updates
Install pending Windows 10 updates. Pending updates can interfere with the system which is why you shouldn’t defer them.
- Open the Settings app with the Win+I keyboard shortcut.
- Go to Update & Security.
- Select the Windows update tab.
- Click the Check for Updates button.
- Download and install updates.
- Restart the system.
Conclusion
HP laptops generally do not have problems with their network card. Some systems may not have as long a range as others so try sitting closer to the router or use a repeater for the network.
