Fix Wi-Fi Not Detected on Windows:

One of the most frustrating issues Windows users face is when the Wi-Fi suddenly disappears from their system. You open the Network settings, but the Wi-Fi option is gone, leaving only Ethernet or Bluetooth. In many cases, the root cause is power management settings in Device Manager.

Windows tries to save energy by allowing the system to turn off hardware devices when idle. While this works for USB ports and certain peripherals, it can create serious problems with the Wi-Fi adapter. If the network adapter is powered down incorrectly, the system might fail to re-enable it, causing your Wi-Fi to vanish.

This article will explain why this happens, how to fix it using Device Manager, and how you can automate the process with PowerShell scripts for long-term stability.

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Why Does This Issue Happen?

Before jumping into solutions, it’s useful to understand why Wi-Fi disappears:

1. Power Management Settings
   • By default, Windows may allow the OS to turn off the Wi-Fi adapter to save energy.
   • This setting often causes Wi-Fi adapters to fail after sleep or hibernation.
2. Driver Glitches
   • Outdated or corrupted drivers can worsen the issue when the device powers off.
3. System Updates
   • After a Windows update, power management settings can reset to default, reintroducing the problem.
4. BIOS / Firmware Settings
   • Rare, but sometimes BIOS power settings can conflict with Windows’ energy-saving policies.

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Step-by-Step Solution in Device Manager

Step 1: Open Device Manager

1. Press Win + X → select Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Locate your Wi-Fi adapter (example: Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260).

Step 2: Disable Power Saving for Wi-Fi Adapter

1. Right-click the Wi-Fi adapter → Properties.
2. Go to the Power Management tab.
3. Uncheck the option:
   • “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”
4. Click OK.

Step 3: Restart Your PC

• After changing settings, restart to apply changes.
• Your Wi-Fi should now stay visible even after sleep/hibernation.

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Alternative Fixes

If disabling power saving doesn’t fully solve the issue, try these:

1. Update Wi-Fi Drivers
   • In Device Manager → right-click your adapter → Update driver.
   • Or download the latest driver from your laptop manufacturer.
2. Reset Network Settings
   • Open Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset.
3. Enable Wi-Fi Adapter via Command Prompt netsh interface show interface netsh interface set interface "Wi-Fi" admin=enabled
4. Check BIOS Settings
   • Ensure wireless LAN is enabled in BIOS.

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Automating with PowerShell

If you manage multiple systems or don’t want to repeat the manual steps, PowerShell can automate the fix.

PowerShell Script to Disable Power Saving for All Wi-Fi Adapters

# Get all network adapters
$wifiAdapters = Get-WmiObject -Namespace root\wmi -Class MSNdis_DevicePowerManagementSetting

foreach ($adapter in $wifiAdapters) {
    # Disable power saving (set to 0)
    $adapter.EnableWakeOnMagicPacket = $false
    $adapter.EnablePME = $false
    $adapter.Put() | Out-Null
}

Write-Output "Wi-Fi adapter power saving disabled successfully."

PowerShell Script to Ensure Wi-Fi Adapter is Always Enabled

$adapterName = "Wi-Fi"

# Check if Wi-Fi adapter exists
$adapter = Get-NetAdapter -Name $adapterName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if ($adapter -ne $null) {
    if ($adapter.Status -ne "Up") {
        Enable-NetAdapter -Name $adapterName -Confirm:$false
        Write-Output "Wi-Fi adapter re-enabled."
    }
    else {
        Write-Output "Wi-Fi adapter is already running."
    }
}
else {
    Write-Output "Wi-Fi adapter not found."
}

Schedule PowerShell Script with Task Scheduler

• Open Task Scheduler → Create Task.
• Set a trigger (on startup or wake from sleep).
• Action: Start a program → powershell.exe with your script path.
• This ensures Wi-Fi is always enabled after reboot/wake-up.

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Extra Tips & Troubleshooting

1. Check for Hidden Devices
   • In Device Manager → View → Show hidden devices.
   • Sometimes Wi-Fi adapter appears grayed out if disabled.
2. Registry Fix for Persistent Power Settings
   • Navigate to:
     HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
   • Look for PnPCapabilities and set value to 24.
   • This forces Windows to keep the adapter enabled.
3. Prevent Fast Startup Issues
   • Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do.
   • Uncheck Turn on fast startup.
4. System File Check sfc /scannow Fixes corrupted system files that could prevent Wi-Fi detection.

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Conclusion

When Wi-Fi disappears from your Windows system, the culprit is often Device Manager power settings. Disabling “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” usually resolves the problem permanently. For IT admins or power users, automating this fix with PowerShell scripts ensures stability across multiple systems.

If the issue persists even after applying these changes, updating drivers and checking BIOS/firmware should be the next steps.

By implementing these fixes and automation, you’ll prevent Wi-Fi issues caused by aggressive Windows power management — keeping your system connected and reliable at all times.