Why Is A Wi-Fi Network Not Showing Up? – 7 Reasons

Disappearing WiFi connection problems often occur in laptops because of their malfunctioning WiFi receiving card.

This issue is common on PCs using WiFi (PCIe slot cards). Whether you’re trying to connect your PC to a new or existing WiFi connection, it could be due to a device or summon settings problem.

Here, we will discuss all the possible reasons why your WiFi is not showing up and how you can solve them yourself and get back to reading, streaming, and talking online without interruptions.

Why Is A Wi-Fi Network Not Showing Up?

Here are the reasons why your Wi-Fi isn’t showing up:

1. Less Network Range
2. Misconfigured Network Visibility Settings
3. Invisible Router or Access Point Issues
4. Interference from Other Devices
5. Wi-Fi Adapter or Device Problems
6. Wi-Fi Network Congestion
7. Network Outages or Service Disruptions

Network range restrictions, hidden network settings, router problems, interference, issues with Wi-Fi adapters or devices, network congestion, and network outages are the major reasons your Wi-Fi network is undetectable. Additionally, it is possible that the hardware on your computer is the problem.

Less Network Range

One of the most frequent causes of a Wi-Fi network not displaying is the network’s range restrictions. Each Wi-Fi device has its specific range, so your computer may be out of that range. In most such cases, Wi-Fi fluctuations are observed.

Physical obstacles like walls, floors, and other impediments can also impede the signal and cause a network to disappear from the list of networks accessible to your device.

Misconfigured Network Visibility Settings

Using the network visibility settings, Wi-Fi networks can be made to appear either visible or hidden, depending on the configuration chosen. Users or network administrators can conceal the network name, also known as the SSID (Service Set Identifier). 

Hidden networks do not advertise their existence; hence, they do not appear in the list of available networks. Users must manually enter the SSID and other information to connect to a hidden network.

Invisible Router or Access Point Issues

A Wi-Fi network may not be visible if the router or access point is broken or incorrectly set. Power outages, firmware updates, incorrect settings, or hardware issues with the router can result in an invisible network. 

In such circumstances, it is required to troubleshoot the router or get in touch with the network administrator. Only the administrator will have complete access to the authorized network settings. Not changing the access point settings is highly recommended if you don’t know how to deal with them.

Interference from Other Devices

Internet devices are sensitive to other signals and interference. Other electronic devices using the same frequency band as Wi-Fi can interfere with its signals. These signals mostly emerge from appliances and devices like microwaves, infrared devices, wireless phones, or nearby network devices.

The signal can be interfered with and disrupted by devices like cordless phones, microwave ovens, Bluetooth devices, and nearby Wi-Fi networks. Your Wi-Fi signals will struggle to reach your computer due to high interference.

Wi-Fi Adapter or Device Problems

Your device’s Wi-Fi adapter may encounter problems that prevent it from recognizing available networks. Hardware issues, outdated or incompatible drivers, and improper settings can all cause this issue. Additionally, some devices can be unable to recognize particular Wi-Fi networks or signals.

Wi-Fi Network Congestion

Network congestion can happen in locations with a lot of Wi-Fi networks. Multiple networks using the same or overlapping channels cause this congestion, which impairs network visibility and causes signal interference. The available network list might not show all available networks in congested areas like office buildings or apartment complexes because of congestion.

Network Outages or Service Disruptions

Occasionally, a Wi-Fi network may not be visible due to an issue with the network itself. The network may briefly go down due to problems with the internet service provider (ISP), router settings, or maintenance procedures. In such circumstances, the network won’t show up until the problem is fixed.

How to Fix Wi-Fi Not Showing Up?

You can fix it by keeping the router closer to the PC or using a Wi-Fi extender, manually adding hidden networks, troubleshooting the Wi-Fi access point, reducing device interference to increase Wi-Fi network visibility, troubleshooting the Wi-Fi adapter or device, and switching network channels.

Here are solutions you can use to show your undetectable Wi-Fi network:

Keep The Router Close To PC or Use Wi-Fi Extender

Get closer to the router or access point to ensure stronger signal reception. Eliminate any physical barriers, such as large items, floors, and walls, that might obstruct the Wi-Fi signal. Consider adopting a mesh network system or a Wi-Fi range extender to increase the coverage area.

 

Manually Add Hidden Network 

You can manually connect to a secret network from the PC network settings. Go to the Wi-Fi settings on your device. Look for a settings to manually add or connect to a network. Enter the SSID (network name) and any additional network data provided by the network administrator. Reconnect to the network after saving the settings.

In mobile phones, you just need to go to the internet settings and then “Add Network.” Now just type the SSID, select encryption type and enter the password for the device and hit enter.

Troubleshoot The Wi-Fi Access Point

To solve these problems, troubleshoot the router or speak with the network administrator. Turning the router or access point on and off again will restart it. Verify and update the router’s firmware if needed. 

Ensure the router’s settings, particularly the SSID broadcasting setting, are adjusted properly. If it seems to be playing up, consider returning the router to its factory default settings, or contact the maker for more help.

Reduce Device Interference To Increase Wi-Fi Network Visibility

Displace appliances like cordless phones or microwaves that could interfere with the router or access point. Change to a different, less-crowded Wi-Fi channel. Most routers offer the choice of selecting the optimum channel manually or automatically. Change the wireless channel width from 40 MHz to 20 MHz if several Wi-Fi networks are nearby to lessen interference.

Troubleshooting The Wi-Fi Adapter or Device

Verify that the Wi-Fi adapter is inserted or linked to the device correctly. The Wi-Fi adapter drivers should be updated to the most recent version available for your operating system. Make sure that the Wi-Fi settings on the device are configured properly. If the problem still exists, try using a different device to connect to the Wi-Fi network to see whether the issue is isolated to that one device.

Switch Network Channel To Remove Network Congestion

Switch the router’s Wi-Fi channel to one that is less busy. Use Wi-Fi analyzer tools to find the least busy channels in your neighborhood. Change to the 5 GHz frequency band if your router supports it because it often has less interference than the 2.4 GHz band. 

A dual-band router connects devices to the less busy 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands.  Both of these frequencies are compatible with this router’s operating range. Because of this, the router will be able to avoid the clogged network channel, and you will once again have access to unimpeded internet service. 

Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)

To find out if there are any known issues or scheduled maintenance in your area, get in touch with your internet service provider (ISP). Restart the router, then check whether the network is back online after a short while. If the situation continues, speak with your ISP for more advice or to report it.

How Do I Reset Wi-Fi Settings?

Resetting your Wi-Fi settings may be required for several reasons, including network troubleshooting, connectivity issues, or starting over with a brand-new network configuration. Additionally, the steps to restart your WiFi settings also depends on the type of device you are using.

Detailed instructions on how to reset Wi-Fi settings are provided here:

Find the hardware component that is delivering your wireless internet signal. An Ethernet cable is typically used to connect it to your internet modem in a compact box.

Utilize the Wi-Fi network that your router provides to connect your computer or mobile device. In the open address bar of a web browser, type the router’s IP address. Routers frequently have the IP addresses 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, or 192.168.2.1. If you’re unclear about your router’s default IP address, check the manual or the manufacturer’s website.

You will be required to provide a username and password after you have reached the router’s settings screen. Consult the router’s manual or the manufacturer’s website to find the default login details if you haven’t already changed them. The default credentials must be changed for security reasons.

Find the “Administration,” “Settings,” or “Tools” section or tab on the router’s setup page. Depending on the brand and model of your router, this section might change. You should be able to reset the router using the option in this section.

Your reset options may vary depending on your router. A soft reset and a hard reset are the two popular varieties. In contrast to a hard reset, which resets the router to its factory default settings, a soft reset keeps your personalized settings while rebooting the router.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why a Wi-Fi network might not show up, such as limited range, settings for network exposure, problems with the router or access point, interference from other devices, problems with the Wi-Fi adapter or device, network congestion, or network outages. 

The first step to fixing a problem is to figure out what caused it. It will allow you to connect to your Wi-Fi network without any problems. The key is to figure out what the problem is so you can fix it correctly, whether that means moving closer to the router, manually adding a hidden network, troubleshooting the Wi-Fi access point, reducing device interference, fixing problems with your Wi-Fi adapter or device, or switching network channels to relieve congestion.

Also, the problem can be fixed by setting the Wi-Fi settings back to how they were before. It may be necessary if the connection problem keeps happening. As technology continues to change how we live, knowing how to fix network problems has become an essential skill. 

With the steps in this guide, you can fix the most common Wi-Fi problems and stay connected to the digital world. Whether you’re a casual user or an expert, it’s important to keep your Wi-Fi connection running smoothly, and knowing how to troubleshoot and fix Wi-Fi problems is very useful.