I'm trying to connect to WiFi but it is only giving me the Ethernet option, how can I fix this?

danae deniz 0 Reputation points
2026-10-04T20:13:55.04+00:00

I'm setting up Windows and when I try to connect to the internet, it only gives me the Ethernet cable option and not the Wireless Internet option. I'm stuck because I cannot fully set up my Windows

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Internet and connectivity
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  1. AI answer

    2026-10-04T20:14:20.15+00:00

    If Windows setup only shows Ethernet, the Wi‑Fi adapter is usually not being detected or its driver is missing.

    Try these steps:

    1. Check whether the Wi‑Fi adapter appears in Device Manager
      • Press Win + X > Device Manager.
      • Expand Network adapters.
      • If only Ethernet items appear and no wireless adapter is listed, Windows is not detecting the Wi‑Fi device.
    2. Install the Wi‑Fi driver
      • If an Ethernet connection is available, use it to download the latest WLAN/Wi‑Fi driver from the PC manufacturer’s support page.
      • If Ethernet is not available, download the driver on another device and copy it with a USB drive.
      • After installing the driver, restart the PC and check whether Wi‑Fi appears.
    3. Run Windows Update after getting any internet connection
      • Once online, run Windows Update. Missing drivers are often installed automatically.
    4. Check BIOS/UEFI settings
      • Restart the PC and open BIOS/UEFI.
      • Make sure the wireless adapter / Wireless LAN setting is enabled.
    5. Use Network reset if the adapter exists but Wi‑Fi still does not appear
      • Go to Start > Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
      • Select Reset now > Yes.
      • Warning: this removes and reinstalls network adapters and resets their settings. VPN software or virtual switches may need to be set up again.
    6. If Wi‑Fi disappeared after an update, reinstall the network adapter driver
      • Open Device Manager.
      • Expand Network adapters.
      • Right-click the adapter > Uninstall device > check Attempt to remove the driver for this device > Uninstall.
      • Restart the PC.
      • Windows will try to reinstall the driver automatically.
      • Before uninstalling, download a backup driver from the PC manufacturer if possible.
    7. If the wireless adapter is completely missing even after driver and BIOS checks
      • The adapter may not be recognized by the system.
      • If the device vanishes from Device Manager entirely, accepted guidance in similar cases indicates the hardware may be faulty and need repair or replacement.

    If the immediate goal is just to finish setup, the fastest path is usually:

    • connect temporarily with Ethernet, or
    • use another device to download the correct WLAN driver and transfer it by USB.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Dio Xavier 296.6K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-10-04T20:29:57.5166667+00:00

    Hello,

    Welcome to the Microsoft Windows Community.

    Good afternoon. This usually happens when the installation setup fails to install the Wi-Fi drivers; please use a wired network connection to complete the installation and then install the drivers. If your device only has Wi-Fi connectivity, you can connect your mobile phone to the USB port using a data cable:

    On Android

    1. Connect the USB cable between the smartphone and the computer.

    2. Open your phone's Settings.

    3. Go to Network & internet or Connections (the name varies by manufacturer, such as Samsung or Xiaomi).

    4. Tap Hotspot & tethering (or Wi-Fi Router and Tethering).

    5. Enable the USB tethering option.

    6. Wait for the computer to recognize the network connection.

    (Note: Some models running stock Android or Google-branded phones may not support USB tethering directly on Mac computers).

    On iPhone

    1. Connect the USB cable between the iPhone and the computer.

    2. If a prompt appears on the iPhone screen asking if you want to "Trust This Computer?", tap Trust and enter your passcode.

    3. On the iPhone, go to Settings.

    4. Tap Personal Hotspot.

    5. Enable the Allow Others to Join option.

    6. Sharing via cable happens automatically once the device is plugged in and authorized.

    Good luck, and please let us know the outcome.

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  3. Horace Wiggins 535 Reputation points
    2026-10-04T20:34:15.22+00:00

    I use the Control Panel to select how I want to connect to the internet. If you open the Control Panel, see if you have both a Ethernet connection and wi-fi. If you do and you have an Internet Service Provider, then select the one you want to use.

    I use the Control Panel and select which one I want to use. See the example image below. What have you selected? Do you have a wi-fi adapter? Who is your Internet Service Provider?

    ExapWiFiadapterStatus19

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  4. Bulldog 4,765 Reputation points
    2026-10-04T23:06:58.8366667+00:00

    You can certainly setup Windows with Ethernet. In fact, that's the recommended way to setup Windows. After the computer is setup and running well you can add WiFi.

    If your connection to the internet comes through a router, the best, the easiest and the safest way to setup WiFi is to follow the directions in your router's owners guide. It is the router, after all, that creates and manages your home network, so it makes the most sense to setup your network through the router. In the beginning of the router's owners guide you will find complete (and often illustrated) directions for setting up a secure WiFi network.

    Finish setting up Windows and check it out to make sure it's running well. Once you feel confident you can add WiFi.

    (P.S. Don't forget to make backup copies of your BitLocker recovery key.)

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