Locked out with Wi-Fi

Follow these steps in order, using only what is available on the device (no Ethernet port needed):

1. Check and use any available network

• On the Windows sign-in or OOBE (first setup) screen, select the Network icon on the lock screen.
• If any Wi‑Fi network appears, connect to it and then continue the sign-in or setup.
• If Wi‑Fi still does not show at all, continue with the steps below.

2. Verify it is really an Internet requirement

• Some Microsoft account sign-ins during setup require Internet.
• If there is an option like Sign-in options, Offline account, or Domain join instead, choose it to complete setup without Internet.
• If no offline option is available and the device insists on Internet, proceed to recovery options.

3. Use a different device to validate the network

• Use a phone or another PC to confirm that the Internet connection itself is working (Wi‑Fi or router).
• This confirms the issue is with the laptop, not the network.

4. Try a full reset again from recovery If the first reset left networking broken, perform another reset from Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):

• Power on the laptop and interrupt boot (hold power to turn off) 2–3 times until Automatic Repair / Advanced options appears.
• Go to Troubleshoot → Reset this PC.
• Choose Keep my files if offered (to preserve personal files) or Remove everything if the device is already empty.
• Prefer Cloud download if available and the device can reach the Internet via any method (for example, temporary USB Ethernet adapter or USB‑tethered phone). Otherwise use Local reinstall.

If the reset completes successfully, Wi‑Fi support should be restored and the device should allow normal setup.

5. If still blocked at sign-in with “no Internet”

• On the lock screen, again select Network and confirm whether any connection type is available.
• If neither Wi‑Fi nor Ethernet is detected and the device still demands Internet, the installation is likely incomplete or damaged. Repeat the reset from WinRE as above.

6. When no software fix works If, after a clean reset, Wi‑Fi still does not appear and the device will not proceed without Internet, the remaining options are:

• Use a temporary USB Ethernet adapter to provide a wired connection just for setup.
• Or perform a complete clean install using official Windows 11 installation media from another PC, then run setup again.

References:

• Troubleshoot Problems Signing In to Windows
• Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows
• Fix Ethernet connection problems in Windows