How to Switch On Wireless on an HP Laptop

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A simple guide to connect any HP laptop to a Wi-Fi network
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If you want to turn on Wi-Fi on your HP laptop, you can use the Wi-Fi button, key, or switch (if it has one), or enable Wi-Fi through Windows. We spoke with Consumer Technology Expert Mitch Harris to learn the easiest ways to turn on the wireless function on your HP laptop.

Turning On Wi-Fi on an HP Laptop

  • 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 network icon next to the clock, then click the wireless symbol.
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using the Wireless Switch or Key

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  1. Some HP laptops have a Wi-Fi switch, button, or key that makes it easy to turn Wi-Fi on and off without digging through Windows menus. The location of your laptop's Wi-Fi switch or button varies by model. If you can't access Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi switch may be turned off.
    • On many older HP laptop models, you'll find a physical switch on the right or left side of the laptop that you can slide into the on and off positions. The switch is usually labeled with a Wi-Fi symbol that looks like a tower emitting signals.
    • On other HP laptops, you'll see a button above the top row of keyboard keys that has a Wi-Fi symbol or tower switch. If your laptop has one of these buttons, you can press it to toggle Wi-Fi on and off as you use your PC.
    • If you don't have a separate button or switch, your HP laptop may have a dedicated function key (the F keys) that acts as a wireless switch. This is usually F8 or F12, but might be a different F key.
    • If your HP laptop doesn't have a wireless switch, button, or key, it may have an airplane mode button or function key. Pressing this button should also toggle Wi-Fi on and off.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Enabling Wireless in Windows 11

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  1. You'll see these icons next to the clock and date at the bottom-right corner of the screen. Harris notes that the icon looks like a globe if Wi-Fi is turned off. [1] If you're connected via ethernet, the icon looks like a computer with an ethernet cable. This opens a panel that contains your connection settings, among other things.
  2. If Wi-Fi is already enabled, the tile will be highlighted, and you'll either see a network name or "Available." Otherwise, the tile will be gray and say "Wi-Fi."
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Enabling Wireless in Windows 10

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  1. You'll see a Wi-Fi icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen, near the clock. [2] Harris explains that if Wi-Fi is not enabled, the icon will look like a globe. [3] If Wi-Fi is on and you're connected to a network, you'll see the regular Wi-Fi icon, which Harris describes as "a pie slice with stripes on it." [4] If you're connected via ethernet, the icon looks like a computer with an ethernet cable.
    • If you don't see any of these icons, click the up arrow near the clock to see more options.
  2. 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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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Enabling Wireless in Windows 8

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  1. This takes you to the start screen
  2. When you start typing, a search bar will open in the screen's upper-right corner.
  3. It will appear in the search results.
  4. [5]
  5. Your HP laptop can now connect to wireless networks.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Enabling Wireless in Windows 7 / Vista

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  1. It's in the lower-left corner of the screen. [6]
  5. It's in the left pane of Control Panel.
  7. Your HP laptop is now ready to connect to a wireless network.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What does the Wi-Fi indicator look like?
    Mitch Harris
    IT Expert
    Mitch Harris is an IT 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.
    Mitch Harris
    IT Expert
    Expert Answer
    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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    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 24
  • Question
    Where is the Wi-Fi indicator?
    Mitch Harris
    IT Expert
    Mitch Harris is an IT 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.
    Mitch Harris
    IT Expert
    Expert Answer
    You can find it attached to the taskbar on the lower-right corner of your computer screen.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 19 Helpful 14
  • Question
    How do I reset my Wi-Fi adapter?
    Mitch Harris
    IT Expert
    Mitch Harris is an IT 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.
    Mitch Harris
    IT Expert
    Expert Answer
    Go to "Settings" and click on "Network Settings." then, enable your Wi-Fi adapter there so you can connect to a network.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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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.
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      References

      1. ↑ Mitch Harris. Consumer Technology Expert. Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/connect-to-a-wi-fi-network-in-windows-1f881677-b569-0cd5-010d-e3cd3579d263
      3. ↑ Mitch Harris. Consumer Technology Expert. Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.
      4. ↑ Mitch Harris. Consumer Technology Expert. Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.
      5. ↑ https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/how-to-connect-laptop-to-wifi
      6. ↑ 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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