Enable Wi-Fi on Windows Server

By default, Windows Server operating systems are optimized for enterprise and datacenter environments. Unlike Windows 10/11 client editions, they are not designed for laptops or desktop-like use cases. This means that features such as Wi-Fi connectivity are disabled or not installed by default.

However, many admins and IT professionals use Windows Server on laptops, test labs, or Hyper-V hosts where Wi-Fi is essential. Fortunately, with the right configuration, you can enable Wi-Fi on Windows Server and manage it just like a client system.

In this article, we’ll walk through the steps to enable wireless networking on Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025, including:

• Installing the Wireless LAN Service feature
• Enabling the Wi-Fi adapter in Device Manager
• Connecting to Wi-Fi via GUI and PowerShell
• Automating Wi-Fi connection with scripts
• Troubleshooting common issues

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Why Wi-Fi is Disabled on Windows Server

Microsoft disables Wi-Fi on Windows Server by default for several reasons:

1. Performance & Stability – Servers are expected to run on stable, wired Ethernet connections.
2. Security – Wireless connections can be less secure compared to wired.
3. Server Role Optimization – Reduces unnecessary features for better efficiency in enterprise setups.

But if your server is on a laptop, test machine, or a small office setup, enabling Wi-Fi is perfectly valid.

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Step 1: Check Wi-Fi Adapter in Device Manager

Before enabling Wi-Fi support, verify if your hardware is detected:

1. Press Win + X → Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Look for your Wi-Fi card (e.g., Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC).
   • If missing, install the correct driver from the vendor’s website.
   • If disabled, right-click → Enable device.

✅ Tip: On many Windows Server editions, even if the driver is installed, the Wi-Fi icon won’t appear until the Wireless LAN Service is enabled.

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Step 2: Install the Wireless LAN Service

To use Wi-Fi, you must enable the Wireless LAN Service feature.

Option A: Install via Server Manager (GUI)

1. Open Server Manager.
2. Go to Manage → Add Roles and Features.
3. Click Next until you reach Features.
4. Scroll down and select Wireless LAN Service.
5. Click Next → Install.
6. Restart if prompted.

Option B: Install via PowerShell (Recommended)

# Install Wireless LAN Service
Install-WindowsFeature -Name Wireless-Networking

⚡ Faster method — no need to go through GUI menus.

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Step 3: Enable and Connect to Wi-Fi

Using GUI (Control Panel)

1. After enabling the Wireless LAN Service, go to:
   • Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
2. Right-click the Wi-Fi adapter → Enable.
3. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar and connect to your preferred network.

Using PowerShell

List available Wi-Fi networks:

netsh wlan show networks

Connect to a Wi-Fi network:

netsh wlan connect name="YourNetworkSSID"

If the network requires a password and you haven’t saved it before:

netsh wlan add profile filename="C:\WiFiProfile.xml"

Where the XML file contains your Wi-Fi profile details (exported from another PC).

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Step 4: Automate Wi-Fi Connection with PowerShell

If you want your server to automatically connect to a specific Wi-Fi on boot or after restart, create a scheduled task with PowerShell.

Example PowerShell Script

$SSID = "YourNetworkSSID"
$Profile = "YourNetworkSSID"

# Check if Wi-Fi adapter is enabled
$adapter = Get-NetAdapter | Where-Object {$_.Name -like "Wi-Fi*" -and $_.Status -eq "Up"}

if ($adapter) {
    Write-Output "Connecting to Wi-Fi: $SSID"
    netsh wlan connect name=$Profile ssid=$SSID
} else {
    Write-Output "Wi-Fi adapter not enabled or not found."
}

Schedule the Script

1. Open Task Scheduler.
2. Create a new task → Trigger: At startup.
3. Action: Start a program → powershell.exe with arguments pointing to your script.
4. This ensures your server connects to Wi-Fi every time it boots.

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Step 5: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi on Windows Server

Even after enabling the Wireless LAN Service, you might face issues. Here are some fixes:

1. Wi-Fi Icon Not Visible

• Make sure WLAN AutoConfig service is running:

Get-Service WlanSvc | Start-Service
Set-Service WlanSvc -StartupType Automatic

2. Missing Drivers

• Install the latest wireless adapter drivers from your hardware vendor (Intel, Realtek, Broadcom, etc.).

3. Network Profile Issues

• Export/import Wi-Fi profiles:

# Export Wi-Fi profile
netsh wlan export profile name="YourNetworkSSID" folder=C:\WiFiProfiles

# Import Wi-Fi profile
netsh wlan add profile filename="C:\WiFiProfiles\Wi-Fi-YourNetworkSSID.xml"

4. Group Policy Blocking Wireless

• Open gpedit.msc → Computer Configuration → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Wireless Network Policies.
• Ensure Wi-Fi is not disabled by policy.

5. Fast Startup Issues (Server on Laptop)

• Disable fast startup:
  • Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do → Disable Fast Startup.

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Extra Tips

• Multiple Networks: Use priority settings to define preferred Wi-Fi.

netsh wlan set profileorder name="SSID1" interface="Wi-Fi" priority=1

• Security Best Practices:
  • Use WPA2/WPA3 networks only.
  • Avoid connecting servers to public Wi-Fi.
• Combine Ethernet + Wi-Fi:
  • If Ethernet is available, set Wi-Fi as secondary.
  • Change network metric with:

Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -InterfaceMetric 50

• Hyper-V Labs: If you’re running Hyper-V on a server laptop, Wi-Fi is often the only option for internet. Consider bridging Wi-Fi with a virtual switch for VMs.

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Conclusion

While Windows Server is not designed with Wi-Fi in mind, enabling wireless support is straightforward once you install the Wireless LAN Service and configure the adapter. For admins running servers on laptops, test machines, or small office setups, Wi-Fi can be a convenient alternative to Ethernet.

Using PowerShell automation, you can ensure your server automatically connects to Wi-Fi at startup, saving time and avoiding manual steps. By following the methods above, you’ll have a fully functional Wi-Fi setup on Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, or 2025.