10 Effective Ways to Fix Wi-Fi Greyed Out on Windows 11/10

Getting work done without an active Wi-Fi connection on Windows 11 can be quite challenging. It becomes even more frustrating when the Wi-Fi option is greyed out, preventing you from connecting to the internet. But don't worry, we've got you covered! In this article, we will explore ten effective ways to fix the Wi-Fi greyed out issue on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

1. Check Wi-Fi Key on the Laptop

Start with the basics by checking if your laptop has a dedicated Wi-Fi key. Older Windows laptops often have a physical switch or a function key to enable or disable wireless internet connectivity. Look for this key on your keyboard and make sure Wi-Fi is enabled.

2. Reset Network Connectivity

Temporarily reset your network connectivity using the Airplane mode trick on your PC. Here's how:

  1. Click on the connectivity option in the Taskbar.
  2. Enable Airplane mode and disable it after a few seconds.

enable Airplane mode on Windows 11

3. Enable WLAN AutoConfig Service

The WLAN AutoConfig service is responsible for configuring, discovering, connecting to, and disconnecting from wireless local area networks. If this service is disabled, the Wi-Fi option may appear greyed out. Follow these steps to enable it:

  1. Press the Windows key and search for “Services.”
  2. Hit Enter to open the Services app.
  3. Scroll down to “WLAN AutoConfig” and right-click on it.
  4. Select “Properties” and expand the “Startup type” menu.
  5. Choose “Automatic,” ensure the status is “Running,” and click “Apply.”

Open Services on Windows 11
Open Wi-Fi menu in Services on Windows 11
Wi-Fi status on Windows 11

4. Reinstall Wi-Fi Network Adapters

Corrupt Wi-Fi network adapters can cause the Wi-Fi option to appear greyed out. To fix this, reinstall the Wi-Fi network adapters using the Device Manager menu:

  1. Right-click on the Windows key and select “Device Manager.”
  2. Expand the “Network adapters” menu.
  3. Right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter and choose “Uninstall device.”

After restarting your PC, the system will automatically reinstall the required drivers during the reboot process.

5. Replug Wi-Fi Adapter

If you are using a Wi-Fi adapter on your Windows 11 PC, try removing it and plugging it back in. This can help establish a wireless connection.

6. Use Another USB Plug

If the Wi-Fi option is greyed out on a specific USB slot, try connecting the Wi-Fi adapter to another USB slot on your Windows desktop PC. This might resolve the issue.

7. Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter

Windows provides a built-in troubleshooter to fix network adapter issues. Follow these steps to run it:

  1. Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
  2. Select “Troubleshoot” from the System menu.
  3. Open “Other troubleshooters.”
  4. Run the “Network Adapter” troubleshooter and check if the Wi-Fi option reappears.

8. Run Internet Connections Troubleshooter

You can also run the internet connection troubleshooter to fix the Wi-Fi greyed-out issue on Windows:

  1. Head to the “Other troubleshooters” menu in Windows Settings (refer to the steps above).
  2. Run the “Internet Connections” troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the steps.

9. Restart Windows Explorer

Restarting the File Explorer menu on Windows can sometimes resolve Wi-Fi greyed-out problems. Here's how:

  1. Right-click on the Windows key and open the Task Manager menu.
  2. Select Windows Explorer and click “Restart task” in the top right corner.

10. Change Wi-Fi Adapter Properties

If none of the above tricks work, try changing the properties of your Wi-Fi adapter. Here's what you need to do:

  1. Open the Device Manager menu in Windows 11 (check the steps above).
  2. Expand the “Network Adapters” menu.
  3. Right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter and open “Properties” from the context menu.
  4. Move to the “Advanced” menu.
  5. Select “Wireless Mode” and choose a different wireless setting from the dropdown menu.

Now, check if the Wi-Fi option is active.

If none of these solutions work, you can try accessing the BIOS on your computer and enable Wi-Fi from there. Alternatively, consider getting a new Wi-Fi dongle to resolve the Wi-Fi greyed-out error.

With these troubleshooting tricks, you can enjoy an active internet connection on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC. Stay connected and productive!