In my laptop WiFi icon is missing.

Because Wi‑Fi is missing from both the taskbar and Settings, restart the WLAN service and run Windows 11’s network troubleshooter before reinstalling the Dell-provided wireless driver.

1. Restart the Wi‑Fi service

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Enter services.msc, then press Enter.
3. Find WLAN AutoConfig.
4. Double-click it and set Startup type to Automatic.
5. If it is stopped, select Start. If it is running, select Restart.
6. Select Apply → OK, then restart the laptop.

After signing in, check Settings → Network & internet and the taskbar Quick Settings panel.

2. Run the Windows 11 troubleshooter

Go to:

Start → Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Network and Internet → Run

Let the troubleshooter complete its repairs, restart if requested, and check whether the Wi‑Fi page returns. Microsoft recommends the automated Network and Internet troubleshooter first on Windows 11.^1^

3. Reinstall the Dell WLAN driver

A device can appear normal in Device Manager while Windows still fails to expose its Wi‑Fi interface. Do not rely only on Update driver in Device Manager.

1. On Dell Support, search using the laptop’s Service Tag.
2. Select the installed operating system and download the Wireless/WLAN driver listed for the exact Inspiron 13 5379 configuration.
3. If the laptop has no Internet access, download it on another device and transfer it using USB.
4. Save that installer before removing anything.
5. Open Device Manager → Network adapters.
6. Right-click the physical wireless adapter—not a WAN Miniport, VPN, or virtual adapter—and select Uninstall device.
7. If offered, select Attempt to remove the driver for this device, then choose Uninstall.
8. Restart Windows and run the downloaded Dell WLAN installer.
9. Restart again and check Settings → Network & internet.

Microsoft advises downloading the manufacturer’s driver as a backup before uninstalling; Windows attempts to reinstall the adapter during restart, and the saved OEM package can be installed if it does not.^1^

4. If the adapter disappears or reports a hardware code

Perform a complete power discharge:

1. Shut down the laptop.
2. Disconnect the charger and all USB/peripheral devices.
3. Hold the power button for 15–30 seconds.
4. Wait a few minutes, reconnect the charger, and start the laptop.
5. Recheck Device Manager → Network adapters.

If the adapter is then missing, hidden, or reports a hardware error, enter BIOS/UEFI and verify that WLAN is enabled. Also check Dell Support for a BIOS update specifically applicable to the exact model and Service Tag.^2^

5. Last resort: network reset

This removes and reinstalls network adapters and restores their settings to defaults:

Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset → Reset now → Yes

Wait for Windows to restart automatically. A network reset can require VPN clients or virtual networking software to be reinstalled and may change known networks to the Public profile.^3^

If Wi‑Fi remains absent after the Dell WLAN driver, power discharge, and network reset, note the adapter’s exact name and the Device Manager → Properties → General → Device status message. A missing adapter or hardware error after those steps points to firmware or wireless-card detection requiring Dell hardware support.

References

1. Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows
2. Missing Wifi Adapter - Microsoft Q&A
3. [Windows 10](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/connectivity-networking/fix-wi-fi-connection-issues-in-windows#most-common-wi-fi-problems)