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Quickly connect to a Wi-Fi network on your HP laptop
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This wikiHow teaches you how to turn on the wireless function on your HP laptop.
Things You Should Know
- Some HP laptops have wireless switches, buttons, or keys you can press or slide to turn Wi-Fi on and off.
- On Windows 10, switch on Wi-Fi by clicking the network icon near the clock and clicking "Wi-Fi."
- On Windows 11, click the battery/volume/network icon next to the clock, then click the wireless symbol above "Wi-Fi."
Steps
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Click the volume or battery icon on the taskbar. You'll see these icons next to the clock and date at the bottom-right corner of the screen. This opens a panel that contains your connection settings, among other things.
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Click the Wi-Fi symbol to switch Wi-Fi on and off. If Wi-Fi is already enabled, the tile will be highlighted, and you'll either see a network name or "Available." If not, the tile will be gray and say "Wi-Fi."
- Once Wi-Fi is switched on, you can view and connect to available networks by clicking the right-pointing arrow next to the Wi-Fi symbol.
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Click the network icon in the system tray. If you're not connected to Wi-Fi , you'll see a globe near the clock, typically at the screen's bottom-right corner. If you're connected to ethernet, you'll see an icon of a computer monitor with a small plug. If you're already on Wi-Fi, it'll be a dot with several curved signal lines. [1] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
- If you don't see one of these icons, click the up arrow near the clock to see more options.
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Click the Wi-Fi tile to switch Wi-Fi on and off. If you're not connected, the tile will be gray. If you are connected, it'll be blue (or your theme's main color), and you'll see a list of available Wi-Fi networks.
- You can now connect to a wireless network by clicking the network's name and entering the password (if required).
- If you're having trouble getting on Wi-Fi, check out our handy troubleshooting guide .
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Press the Windows key. This takes you to the start screen
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Type “wireless”. When you start typing, a search bar will open in the screen's upper-right corner.
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Click on Change Wi-Fi Settings . It will appear in the search results. [2] X Expert Source Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert Expert Interview. 23 June 2021. -
Slide the button next to "Wireless Network Connection" to the "On" position. Your HP laptop can now connect to wireless networks. [4] X Expert Source Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.
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Click Start . It's in the lower-left corner of the screen. [5] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
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Click Control Panel . <
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Click Network and Internet .
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Click Network and Sharing Center .
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Click Change adapter settings . It's in the left pane of Control Panel.
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Right-click Wireless Connection .
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Click Enable . Your HP laptop is now ready to connect to a wireless network.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat does the Wi-Fi indicator look like?Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.The Wi-Fi indicator looks like a little pie slice with stripes, or it might look like a globe symbol. If you're not connected to any network, the globe symbol might have an "X" on it.
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QuestionWhere is the Wi-Fi indicator?Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.You can find it attached to the taskbar on the lower-right corner of your computer screen.
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QuestionHow do I reset my Wi-Fi adapter?Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.Go to "Settings" and click on "Network Settings." then, enable your Wi-Fi adapter there so you can connect to a network.
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Tips
- If your laptop’s wireless function fails to connect after being enabled, turn off your computer, then disconnect your router and modem from the power and the internet. Reconnect all devices to the power and internet line after 60 seconds, and try reconnecting to your wireless network.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/connect-to-a-wi-fi-network-in-windows-1f881677-b569-0cd5-010d-e3cd3579d263
- ↑ Mitch Harris. Consumer Technology Expert. Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.
- ↑ https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/how-to-connect-hp-laptop-to-wifi
- ↑ Mitch Harris. Consumer Technology Expert. Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.
- ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/setting-up-a-wireless-network-in-windows-97914e31-3aa4-406d-cef6-f1629e2c3721
About This Article
Article Summary
X
1. Power on your HP laptop.
2. Locate the external switch for the wireless function.
3. Slide or press the switch into the "On" position.
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Reader Success Stories
- "My cat stepped all over my laptop keys, and I was at a loss as to how in the world I was to get my wireless Internet back on. I don't have a switch in this laptop, as I've had in my previous HP laptops. Thanks so much!" ..." more
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"My cat stepped all over my laptop keys, and I was at a loss as to how in the world I was to get my wireless Internet back on. I don't have a switch in this laptop, as I've had in my previous HP laptops. Thanks so much!"
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"All I can say is thank you so much. l had no idea where to find the wireless button. I'm a self-taught 80 year old. Again, thank you."
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