Wi-Fi Problems Are More Common Than You Think
Whether your computer suddenly stopped connecting to Wi-Fi, cannot find your network at all, or connects but has no internet, these issues usually have a clear cause. Here is a systematic approach.
Step 1: The Classic Restart
Restart your router and modem first — unplug from power, wait 30 seconds, then plug back in. Wait 2 minutes for it to fully reconnect. Then restart your computer. This resolves the majority of sudden Wi-Fi drop-outs.
Step 2: Check If Other Devices Are Affected
Connect another phone or tablet to the same Wi-Fi. If those cannot connect either, the problem is with your router or internet service — not your computer. Contact your ISP.
If other devices connect fine, the issue is specific to your computer — continue below.
Step 3: Forget and Reconnect to the Network
On Windows, go to **Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks**, find your network, click **Forget**, then reconnect by entering your Wi-Fi password fresh.
Step 4: Run the Network Troubleshooter
Right-click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar and select **Troubleshoot problems**. Windows will run an automatic diagnosis and often fix the issue automatically.
Step 5: Update or Reinstall Wi-Fi Drivers
Outdated or corrupt Wi-Fi drivers are a very common cause of persistent Wi-Fi issues. Go to **Device Manager → Network Adapters**, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and select **Update driver**. If that does not work, try **Uninstall device** and restart — Windows will reinstall the driver automatically on the next boot.
Step 6: Reset Network Settings
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run these commands one at a time, restarting after completing them:
Step 7: Check for Windows Updates
Some Wi-Fi issues are caused by Windows bugs that Microsoft has already patched. Go to **Settings → Windows Update** and install any pending updates.
Still Not Connecting?
If none of these steps resolve the issue, there may be a deeper problem — a faulty Wi-Fi card, a corrupted network stack, or a software conflict. These require proper diagnosis by a qualified technician.
Midland Computers offers expert [networking and internet troubleshooting](/services/networking-issues) for both home users and businesses across Perth. Our technicians can diagnose and fix persistent Wi-Fi problems quickly — including driver issues, hardware faults, and network configuration errors.
[Book a repair online](/book-repair) or [contact our team](/contact) and we will get you connected again.