Turn on Wi-Fi on your netbook. How to enable and connect Wi-Fi on an ASUS laptop

Without working WiFi adapter and the laptop will not be able to connect to the wireless network. If you find that the Wi-Fi module is disabled, you can easily enable it yourself in hardware and software.

What is a WiFi adapter

A Wi-Fi adapter is a module in a laptop that is capable of recognizing signals from routers, establishing a wireless connection to the Internet. A WiFi adapter is available on any modern laptop as a built-in board.

If you want to connect to wireless networks from your computer, you can purchase an external WiFi adapter that connects to system unit through USB interface. Software setup The hardware will be the same in any case, only the methods of hardware enablement of the device will differ.

Hardware enable

To turn on the Wi-Fi adapter on a laptop, find the corresponding hardware button on the case or use a hotkey combination. To know Current state module (on or off) is usually possible using an indicator. If it is not lit, then you need to turn on WiFi on the laptop.

Most often, the combination of the Fn button with one of the keys in the F1-F12 row is responsible for turning it on. On ASUS laptops, for example, the Fn+F2 combination is used. At simultaneously pressing these two keys are all activated wireless modules laptop, including Wi-Fi.

Combinations for enabling Wi-Fi on laptops from various manufacturers:

  • Acer – Fn+F3.
  • ASUS – Fn+F2.
  • Dell – Fn+F2.
  • Gigabyte – Fn+F2.
  • Fujitsu – Fn+F5.
  • HP – Fn+F12.

The pictograms will help you determine the appropriate key. Usually on the desired button An antenna is drawn that distributes a signal.

On some laptop models, you can turn on the WiFi adapter using a separate button on the case. It can be located directly below the display. On older models there is a two-position switch, which is located on the side of the laptop.

Software enablement

If, after turning on the WiFi adapter in hardware, the wireless connection icon with a list of available connection points does not appear in the tray, you will also have to activate the module programmatically. You can enable Wi-Fi in the system settings.


On Windows 8 and Windows 10, WiFi is disabled/enabled with a special switch, which is located above the list of available points or in the system parameters.

An icon should appear in the notification area; when you click on it, a list of wireless networks available for connection will open. If the list states that available connections no, make sure Wi-Fi is configured on the router. If the wireless connection icon does not appear in the tray, make sure that the WiFi adapter is working without errors.

Possible problems when turning on

There are several reasons why the Wi-Fi model cannot be turned on:

  1. The Fn button does not work, therefore the key combination does not work.
  2. The adapter drivers are not installed, the system does not detect the device.
  3. The WiFi module has failed and requires replacement.

Using a keyboard shortcut is usually not the only way to enable the module. wired connection, but if you are trying to get the adapter to work using a button combination and nothing is working, then you should check the software status.

On some laptops correct operation Fn buttons must be installed in the system special utility. For ASUS laptops this is ATK Hotkey Utility. You can find suitable software on the manufacturer's website. The Fn button may not work for other reasons, but this is a topic for a separate large article.

The most common reason why wifi adapter Can't turn on due to lack of hardware drivers.


Drivers can be installed automatically or manually. It is recommended to use manual installation by first downloading the software from the manufacturer’s website. At manual installation drivers suitable version and bit depth, the problem with turning on the adapter should disappear.

If the user cannot find and turn on the Wi-Fi adapter, he will not be able to connect to the Internet. On laptops, including HP ones, the adapter is the only way to connect to the Internet.

Enabling the WiFi adapter on HP laptops

The WiFi adapter is different for each individual brand of computer. Most often, in order to turn on the WiFi adapter, you need to press a certain key combination (FN+...). Less often, the adapter is turned on by pressing only one button. In addition, the method turning on WiFi completely different on each model.

For example, in the case of an HP laptop, the solution to the problem is just a few keystrokes on the keyboard. In other cases, things may be slightly different. Most often, on HP series laptops, WiFi can be turned on just by swiping your finger touch button with a picture of a small communication antenna. In some cases, you can connect to the Internet by pressing a certain key combination - FN and F12. On other models of HP laptops, turning on the WiFi adapter is carried out by simply pressing the button with the image of an antenna.

Connecting a WiFi adapter to laptops of other brands

As mentioned above, the WiFi adapter can be turned on different ways, depending on the model and brand of laptop. In order to find out how this is done on laptops of other brands, you must carefully read the computer's operating instructions (a user manual is included with each computer).

As for connecting using key combinations (FN+...), in most cases this is the method used. In addition, this function button can perform other operations. If you don't see one on yours function button, then most likely your wireless connection to the Internet is carried out in some other way described above (you need to press some special switch or use another button designed specifically for this).

What's the point of buying a laptop if you tie it to specific place Do you have a wired internet connection at home? Therefore, all laptops are equipped Wi-Fi module, allowing you to connect to wireless networks, which gives the user the opportunity to move freely with a laptop PC in space. But to take advantage of this opportunity, you first need to figure out how to turn on WiFi on a laptop.

You will have to use the adapter at several levels: enable it in hardware, launch it programmatically in the system settings and device manager. If you skip one step, the connection will not be established, so you need to be extremely careful about the procedure.


How to enable WiFi on a laptop

Hardware enable

By default WiFi inactive, you can start it using a special switch on the case or a key combination that differs on the equipment from different manufacturers.

Carefully inspect your laptop PC. Look for a button or switch next to which there is an image of an antenna that receives a signal (the picture may be different, but you will understand the meaning). If you find a switch, move it to the active position. The light on the case should light up, indicating that the device is ready to connect to wireless networks.

If there is no toggle switch, then WiFi is turned on with a key combination. You need to look for a suitable button in the row F1-F12. The search conditions are the same - the key should have an icon in the form of an antenna receiving the signal.

When you find it the desired key, press it in combination with Fn to launch the adapter. Possible combinations for different laptop manufacturers:

  • Acer – Fn+F3.
  • Asus – Fn+F2.
  • HP – Fn+F12.
  • Lenovo – Fn+F5.
  • Samsung – Fn+F12 or Fn+F9.
  • Dell – Fn+F12 or Fn+F2.

Depending on the model, the combinations may change even on devices from the same manufacturer, but don’t worry - the picture will make it clear that you were not mistaken.

If you do not find either a switch or a button in the F1-F12 row, then look for a built-in utility in the system for WiFi control. This is true for laptops from Samsung Corporation ( Easy utility Settings) and laptops with an Intel board installed (IntelPROSet program).

Equipment check

After physically turning it on, you need to check whether the board is recognized correctly on the computer. Open Device Manager and expand the " Network adapters" It should display at least two lines − LAN card for a wired connection and a board for working with Wi-Fi (can be signed as Wireless).

Make sure there is no exclamation mark, and the equipment itself functions without errors. If there are any problems, try reinstalling the drivers. Download software on the laptop manufacturer's website.

Drivers must be for your laptop model. In addition, the software must be correlated with Windows bit depth(32- and 64-bit), otherwise the equipment will not work correctly. If the drivers are installed correctly, but the node is not functioning, click on it right click and click "Engage".

Soft launch

After checking the hardware in Device Manager, you need to make sure that the Wi-Fi connection is enabled on the system itself. Before this, you interacted directly with the module, now move on to the connection settings.

If instead of "Enable" in context menu If the “Disable” option is specified, then you don’t need to do anything – Wi-Fi already works and ready to use. By the way, Airplane mode was added to Windows 8, the activation of which disables all communication methods on the laptop. On the “ten” the mode is also preserved, so if the Internet does not work, make sure that the “Airplane” mode is disabled.

People all over the world purchase new models of computers or laptops every day for their personal use. But not all professional users know how to configure its operation, install various programs, connect your device to worldwide network Internet.

In this article we will try to consider step by step instructions how to turn on Wi-Fi on a laptop and on a computer. The principle is the same for all laptops; we will look at how to enable Wi-Fi on several of the most common laptop models, as well as separately on Windows. So. Everything is in order.

How to enable Wi-Fi on HP laptops

At the initial stage, you need to look at the condition of the this moment time on the laptop is connected to the wireless network. To do this, look at the icons; they may differ on some HP laptop models. The icon can be at the top of the panel (F12 key with an image of an antenna) or on the taskbar in the lower right corner. If you have an antenna icon and it lights up, then Wi-Fi is connected, if it doesn’t light up, it’s turned off. On some models there may be an “X” next to the “mast” icon. In this case, the connection is disabled.

Having decided on Wi-Fi connection, if it works, then you can safely go online, if not, then we proceed to further actions.


How to enable Wi-Fi on Asus laptops

Specific control of the Wi-Fi module is distinctive feature this model. Basically, connection and disconnection occurs using a special mechanical switch. The switch is in active mode– Internet access is active, and if it is inactive, it is turned off.


How to turn on Wi-Fi on Windows

Now let's look at how to access the Internet in Windows. There are several flavors of Windows. You may have it installed on Windows laptop 7 or 8, Windows XP or Vista. We will focus on two: Windows 7 and Windows 8, since they are the most popular at the moment.

How to enable Wi-Fi on Windows 7

And so what you need to do to enable Wi-Fi on Windows 7:

  1. The very first thing we need to do is go to the “Start” menu and select “Control Panel” there. Select the “Network and Internet” subsection in it. There are also several subsections here, but we need the “Network and Sharing Center” shared access" We find it and go in.
  2. You will see separate window, where we find the “Change adapter settings” tab and click on it.
  3. Another window opens. Find the “Wireless Network Connection” shortcut. Right-click on this shortcut and in the “connect/disconnect” command that appears.
  4. A list of networks will open, where we select the one we need and click connect.

As a rule, the network is protected with a key, so another window will open where you will need to enter a password in a certain field.

If you did everything correctly, an icon will appear in the lower right corner of the desktop indicating that Internet access is active.

How to enable Wi-Fi on Windows 8

Turn on Wi-Fi on Windows 8:

  • As when connecting a network to Windows 7, initially we perform the same steps: “Start” -> “Control Panel”.
  • After we get to the above tab, select “switch to classic look" and find "Network Connection Control Center". You will see a list of programs where we find “Wireless network connection”.
  • Next, using the right mouse button, click on the above program and select the “Property” command. In this folder there should be "Obtain an IP address automatically". If the mark is checked, then click the “OK” button.
  • Then we need to go back to the Network Connection Management folder. Here again we find “Wireless network connection” and again, using the right mouse button, select the command “Connect - Disconnect”.
  • After this, an additional window “Connect to a network” will open in front of you, where we select the network we need and click the “Connect” button.

If you did everything correctly, the corresponding icon will appear in the taskbar.

How to enable Wi-Fi on a desktop computer (PC)

And finally, let's look at how to personal computer you can connect Wi-Fi. There are no problems with laptops, they use wireless connection, but with a PC it’s a little more complicated. Not everyone wants to run wires from their computer across the entire house or apartment. There is also a way out of this situation. You need to purchase and install a Wi-Fi adapter on your PC.

The computer uses the following types of adapters:

  • External. Such adapters are connected to a computer using a USB port.
  • Internal. This view is a little more complicated. They are connected to the motherboard via PCI-E 1X or PCI connectors.

Most people prefer external adapter. These are mainly people who rarely use local network. For them, the main thing is to have access to the Internet. There is nothing complicated about connecting it. We just need to plug it into a USB port and install the drivers. Each adapter comes with a driver disc. After installing the drivers, we search for a wireless network and connect to it.