How to fix HP laptop not connecting to Wi-Fi

Are you struggling to connect your HP® laptop to Wi-Fi? Whether you're trying to catch up on work from a café or stream a movie at home, dealing with Wi-Fi issues can be frustrating. But we can help you get online.

At Asurion, we make caring for your tech easy—so you have fewer interruptions. From repairing broken screens to showing you a few hidden tricks your laptop can do. Here’s how to connect to wireless internet on an HP laptop.

Reasons why an HP laptop won’t connect to Wi-Fi

• Incorrect Wi-Fi password. Entering the wrong password or SSID (network name) can prevent your HP laptop from connecting to the Wi-Fi.
• Operating system bugs. An issue within the operating system can cause network connections to be unstable or fail.
• Airplane mode. Airplane mode disconnects all your wireless connections, including Wi-Fi.
• Power management settings. Aggressive power-saving settings may turn off the Wi-Fi adapter to conserve battery, leading to loss of connection.
• Outdated drivers. Wi-Fi drivers that aren’t updated can cause compatibility problems and disrupt connections.
• Hardware issues. Any damage to the laptop's wireless adapter can interfere with reception.
• Router problems. An outdated, malfunctioning router or one with too many connected devices can cause unreliable Wi-Fi.
• Distance from the router. Being too far from the router or having too many obstructions can weaken the Wi-Fi signal to the point of disconnection.
• Temporary network outages. Occasional outages from your internet service provider (ISP) can also result in Wi-Fi connectivity issues.

How to connect to Wi-Fi on an HP laptop

If you're having trouble connecting to Wi-Fi, try these steps:

1. Make sure Airplane mode is turned off

Airplane mode on an HP laptop turns off all wireless communications, including Wi-Fi. If this mode is accidentally left on, it will prevent your laptop from connecting to any Wi-Fi networks.

Click the Start menu > Settings > Network & internet > Airplane mode, then turn it off.

2. Try connecting to Wi-Fi on other devices

Before performing complex troubleshooting on your laptop, check whether other devices can connect to the Wi-Fi. This test can tell you whether the issue is with your laptop or the network itself.

3. Restart your laptop

Restarting your device is an important step for fixing almost any tech hiccup. It can resolve connection issues by refreshing the operating system and network connections.

1. Click the Start menu.
2. Click the Power icon > Restart.
3. Once the laptop restarts, try to connect to the Wi-Fi network again.

4. Check your modem or router

A problematic modem or router may cause Wi-Fi problems. Start by checking the device's normal status lights—any unusual patterns could signal an issue.

If something seems off, unplug the modem or router for about a minute to reset it, then plug it back in. This can help clear any temporary glitches. After it fully restarts, try connecting your laptop again to see if the issue continues.

5. Reset the network settings

Sometimes, your network settings need a clean slate to function at their best. Resetting network settings can help resolve internet configuration issues.

How to reset network settings

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
3. Click Reset now.

6. Modify the power management settings

An HP laptop set to conserve power might unintentionally shut down Wi-Fi connectivity. Check those settings to see whether they’re interfering with your laptop’s connection.

1. Right-click the Start menu, and select Device Manager > Network adapters.
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and select Properties.
3. Go to the Power Management tab, and clear the checkbox for the option that allows the computer to turn off the device to save power.

7. Check for Wi-Fi adapter issues

The problem may lie with the Wi-Fi adapter hardware itself. Click the Start menu > Device Manager > Network adapters, and look for exclamation points next to your Wi-Fi adapter. You’ll also want to think about any recent drops your laptop has had, as that could’ve caused unseen internal damage.

If you suspect hardware failure, consider using an external Wi-Fi adapter or reaching out to an expert.

8. Update your software

Staying up-to-date is more than just a good rule of thumb— a software update can be critical to your HP laptop's ability to connect to Wi-Fi. To update your laptop’s software, you’ll need an internet connection, so you’ll need to connect your laptop to the web with an ethernet cable via a docking station or your laptop’s (sometimes expandable) ethernet port—if you can’t find it, look for a symbol that looks like three squares connected by a line. Once you’re connected, here’s what to do:

1. Click the Start menu.
2. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates and install any available updates. After the software is updated, restart your laptop.

From this point on, you’ll need an Ethernet connection to complete troubleshooting.

9. Run Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows has troubleshooting tools that can automate the detection and repair of network issues.

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Go to Settings > Update & Security.
3. Select Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Internet connections > Run the troubleshooter. If the troubleshooter can find and repair the problem, you'll see a message. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete troubleshooting.

10. Update or reinstall Wi-Fi drivers

Drivers help your laptop’s software communicate with its hardware. When your HP laptop updates its software, your drivers should automatically update too. However, you can manually update or uninstall the Wi-Fi driver by using the Device Manager:

1. Right-click the Start menu, and select Device Manager > Network adapters.
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and select Properties.

Select the Driver tab. Select either Update driver or Uninstall device. If you choose the latter, restart your laptop and the correct driver should reinstall on startup.