Having trouble connecting your HP laptop to WiFi on Windows 11? You’re not alone. Many users, especially those who recently upgraded to Windows 11, find themselves confused about turning on WiFi or fixing missing options. The good news? It’s usually an easy fix.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through different ways to turn on WiFi on an HP laptop running Windows 11. We’ll also cover what to do if the WiFi option is missing or greyed out.

Table of Contents

Why Can’t I See WiFi on My HP Laptop?

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s quickly understand why WiFi might not show up:

WiFi is turned off in settings or hardware.
Airplane Mode is enabled.
WiFi drivers are outdated or missing.
Network adapter issues are blocking connectivity.
Hardware WiFi key (common in HP laptops) is disabled.

Think of it like a light switch: if power (drivers and adapter) isn’t on, the WiFi switch won’t work.

Method 1: Use the WiFi Button or Function Key

Most HP laptops have a dedicated WiFi button or a function key (Fn + F12 or F3/F5 depending on model) with a wireless icon.

Look for a WiFi symbol key (antenna or wireless icon).
Press it, often in combination with the Fn key.
Check if the WiFi light (usually on the key or laptop edge) turns on.

This is the fastest way to toggle WiFi on HP laptops.

Method 2: Turn On WiFi from Quick Settings

Windows 11 has a handy quick settings panel.

Click the WiFi/Network icon on the taskbar (bottom-right).
A small menu pops up.
Click WiFi to turn it on (it turns blue when active).
Select your network and enter the password if needed.

This method works on all HP laptops running Windows 11.

Method 3: Turn On WiFi via Settings App

For more control, use the Settings app.

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Go to Network & Internet.
Toggle WiFi to On.
Click Show available networks to pick your WiFi.

This ensures Windows recognizes the wireless adapter properly.

Method 4: Check Airplane Mode

Sometimes Airplane Mode blocks WiFi without you realizing it.

Open Quick Settings (Win + A).
Look for the Airplane Mode icon.
If it’s on, click it to disable.
Try enabling WiFi again.

Method 5: Enable WiFi Adapter from Control Panel

If WiFi is still missing, the adapter might be disabled.

Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and hit Enter.
In Network Connections, look for your WiFi adapter.
If it’s greyed out, right-click and select Enable.

Now your WiFi should show up again.

Method 6: Update WiFi Drivers

Outdated drivers are a common culprit on HP laptops.

Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click your WiFi adapter (e.g., Intel, Realtek, Qualcomm).
Choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.

Alternatively, visit HP’s official support website to download the latest driver.

Method 7: Run Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11 has built-in troubleshooters that can detect problems.

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Find Network Adapter and click Run.

Follow the steps—Windows will attempt to fix the WiFi automatically.

Method 8: Reset Network Settings

If nothing else works, try resetting the network.

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings.
Scroll down and click Network reset.
Click Reset now.

This will reinstall network adapters and reset all settings—like giving your WiFi a fresh start.

Method 9: Check HP Wireless Assistant (Older Models)

Some older HP laptops have HP Wireless Assistant software.

Search for HP Wireless Assistant in Start.
Open it and enable Wireless LAN.
Try connecting again.

If you don’t have it, don’t worry—this mostly applies to older HP laptops.

Method 10: Check BIOS Settings (Advanced)

In rare cases, WiFi might be disabled in BIOS.

Restart your laptop and press Esc/F10 to enter BIOS.
Look for Built-in Device Options or Wireless settings.
Make sure Internal WLAN is enabled.
Save and exit.

Tips to Keep WiFi Stable on HP Laptops

Always update drivers from HP or Intel/Realtek.
Use the right frequency: 2.4 GHz (longer range) or 5 GHz (faster speed).
Restart your router occasionally.
Keep your laptop close to the WiFi source.

Conclusion

Turning on WiFi on your HP laptop running Windows 11 is usually as simple as pressing a function key or enabling it from settings. But if the option is missing, updating drivers, enabling the adapter, or checking BIOS can solve the problem.

Once you know where to look, you’ll never have to struggle with WiFi connectivity again.

FAQs

1. Why is WiFi not showing on my HP laptop Windows 11?
It could be due to disabled adapters, outdated drivers, or Airplane Mode being on.

2. Which function key turns on WiFi on HP laptops?
Usually Fn + F12, but it may vary by model. Look for a WiFi symbol on the function keys.

3. Can I turn on WiFi without a keyboard shortcut?
Yes, you can use Settings > Network & Internet or the Quick Settings panel.

4. How do I fix missing WiFi option in Windows 11?
Enable the adapter in Control Panel, update drivers, or reset network settings.

5. Does HP Wireless Assistant still work on Windows 11?
Not on newer laptops. It was mainly for older HP models, but Windows 11 handles wireless controls directly.

How to Turn On WiFi on HP Laptop Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide