WiFi disabled/not showing on Win11 laptop

[zing269]

According to the user guide here, https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/1-series/1-11igl05/81...ment-userguide, you can access the bios via the "Novo Button" using the pin-hole located between the microSD slot and the power light while it is off. Alternately you can press the Fn and Power while it is off.

[techmot]

According to the model specs, pressing F2 after powering ON after shutting down should get into the BIOS, but for some reason it's not doing this on my Lenovo, it just goes into the startup and log-in screen

Press Fn+F2 together after powering on.

Tried that but still doesn't get into the BIOS.

[Cornucopia]

perhaps your Function keys are not working as they should - try hooking up an external wired usb keyboard and press F2 there...
or F1 (some lenovo models, maybe yours isn't standard).

If those don't work, pretty good indicator that your system needs professional help.


Scott

[Gramps]

To check to see if Wireless is disabled in your Bios

In windows click on Start Button.
Click on Settings.
Click on Update and Security.
Click on Recovery.
Under Advanced StartUp, Click on Restart Now.
When the Option menu appears click on Troubleshoot.
Click on Advanced Options.
Click on UEFI firmware settings.
Click on the Restart button.
When the laptop reboots it takes you into the BIOS.
Check under config and network to see if wireless is disabled.
if it is, only enable the network wireless settings.

Click on Exit
Double click on Save Changes and Exit
Double Click on Yes.

The laptop will reboot. You should then see the Wifi adapter in Windows

[The_Doman]

To check to see if Wireless is disabled in your Bios

In windows click on Start Button.
Click on Settings.
Click on Update and Security.
Click on Recovery.
Under Advanced StartUp, Click on Restart Now.
When the Option menu appears click on Troubleshoot.
Click on Advanced Options.
Click on UEFI firmware settings.
Click on the Restart button.
When the laptop reboots it takes you into the BIOS.
Check under config and network to see if wireless is disabled.
if it is, only enable the network wireless settings.

Click on Exit
Double click on Save Changes and Exit
Double Click on Yes.

The laptop will reboot. You should then see the Wifi adapter in Windows

This indeed.

And again if not clear:
TenForums: Boot to UEFI Firmware Settings from inside Windows 10

Suggestions about WiFi buttons/airplane mode have no effect if there is no network adapter active/available in the device manager!

[techmot]

perhaps your Function keys are not working as they should - try hooking up an external wired usb keyboard and press F2 there...
or F1 (some lenovo models, maybe yours isn't standard).

If those don't work, pretty good indicator that your system needs professional help.


Scott

I tried an external wired USB keyboard and pressed F2 but still didn't get into the BIOS, and the keyboard was working fine in Windows.

[techmot]

To check to see if Wireless is disabled in your Bios

In windows click on Start Button.
Click on Settings.
Click on Update and Security.
Click on Recovery.
Under Advanced StartUp, Click on Restart Now.
When the Option menu appears click on Troubleshoot.
Click on Advanced Options.
Click on UEFI firmware settings.
Click on the Restart button.
When the laptop reboots it takes you into the BIOS.
Check under config and network to see if wireless is disabled.
if it is, only enable the network wireless settings.

Click on Exit
Double click on Save Changes and Exit
Double Click on Yes.

The laptop will reboot. You should then see the Wifi adapter in Windows

I clicked on Settings but I couldn't find "Update and Security" anywhere. There was a Recovery tab under "Advanced start up", but no "Update and Security".

[ProWo]

I clicked on Settings but I couldn't find "Update and Security" anywhere. There was a Recovery tab under "Advanced start up", but no "Update and Security".

Start > Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced start up

[Gramps]

I clicked on Settings but I couldn't find "Update and Security" anywhere. There was a Recovery tab under "Advanced start up", but no "Update and Security".

Start > Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced start up

ProWo is correct. The instructions that I posted were for Windows 10, so it sounds like getting there is a little bit different in Windows 11. My apologies.

In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > System > Recovery. Next to Advanced startup, select Restart now. The rest of the steps should be the same.

When the Option menu appears click on Troubleshoot.
Click on Advanced Options.
Click on UEFI firmware settings.
Click on the Restart button.
When the laptop reboots it takes you into the BIOS.
Check under config and network to see if wireless is disabled.
if it is, only enable the network wireless settings.

Click on Exit
Double click on Save Changes and Exit
Double Click on Yes.

The laptop will reboot. You should then see the Wifi adapter in Windows

[techmot]

I clicked on Settings but I couldn't find "Update and Security" anywhere. There was a Recovery tab under "Advanced start up", but no "Update and Security".

Start > Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced start up

ProWo is correct. The instructions that I posted were for Windows 10, so it sounds like getting there is a little bit different in Windows 11. My apologies.

In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > System > Recovery. Next to Advanced startup, select Restart now. The rest of the steps should be the same.

When the Option menu appears click on Troubleshoot.
Click on Advanced Options.
Click on UEFI firmware settings.
Click on the Restart button.
When the laptop reboots it takes you into the BIOS.
Check under config and network to see if wireless is disabled.
if it is, only enable the network wireless settings.

Click on Exit
Double click on Save Changes and Exit
Double Click on Yes.

The laptop will reboot. You should then see the Wifi adapter in Windows

I tried that a few days ago, after I clicked "Restart now" it shut down but came up with a blue error screen saying Windows has encountered a problem and needs to restart. Windows just loaded up as normal but no change to the wifi. However, I just tied the same and the blue screen appeared again and shut down for a few seconds and then Windows loaded up. When I checked the tray at the bottom right of the taskbar I noticed now that wifi was showing and I was able to connect and use a browser. Why it didn't work previously I don't know.

[ProWo]

I think your operating system is faulty.
Run a system scan.

Use my Dism GUI.
https://files.videohelp.com/u/292773/Dism-gui.zip

1) SFC scan
If errors are found and corrected, then reboot and repeat the scan.


[Attachment 82224 - Click to enlarge]

2) If no more errors are found, click on Restore and then Online.


[Attachment 82225 - Click to enlarge]

[techmot]

I think your operating system is faulty.
Run a system scan.

Use my Dism GUI.
https://files.videohelp.com/u/292773/Dism-gui.zip

1) SFC scan
If errors are found and corrected, then reboot and repeat the scan.


[Attachment 82224 - Click to enlarge]

2) If no more errors are found, click on Restore and then Online.


[Attachment 82225 - Click to enlarge]

Thanks for that. I ran that scan and it did detect errors which it managed to fix, so hopefully all is OK now.