How to Detect Wi-Fi Card Drivers on a PC: Windows, Mac, and Linux

PDF download Download Article
Quick and easy ways to view your computer’s connectivity hardware
PDF download Download Article

Most modern PCs and Macs come with wireless cards, but if you're using an older computer, it may not support Wi-Fi. This wikiHow article teaches you how to find out if your computer has a wireless networking card.

Quick Steps

  1. Open Device Manager .
  2. Expand the menu under Network adapters .
  3. Look for an adapter labeled "wireless" or "Wi-Fi."
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Device Manager on Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Press the Windows key to open your taskbar, type device manager , and click the Control Panel result.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This expands the menu.
    • Your network adapters will be listed here. If you have a wireless adapter, it should be obvious from the name of it (it might say Wireless or Wi-Fi). If it is not, you can do an internet search for the name of the device to learn whether it is wireless. [1]
    3. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using System Information on Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/13\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/13\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you hold down the Option key and click the Apple menu, you'll see different options than you would otherwise.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This opens a report that covers the hardware in your Mac.
    • The shorter report may not list your Wi-Fi card, so make sure you have File > Show More Information selected.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your Mac desktop or MacBook has a wireless network card, it will be listed here. [2]
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Linux

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open a Terminal if you haven't already. [3]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Know-if-a-Computer-Has-a-Wireless-Networking-Card-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When prompted, enter your account password to run the command. If your computer has a wireless card, you will see the information with "Wireless Card." [4]
    3. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      6 Easy Ways to Use Shortcut Keys to Shut Down a Windows PC
      How to
      Check Your Mouse DPI on Windows & Mac
      How to
      Bring an Off Screen Window Back on Windows
      How to
      Copy and Paste on Any Device
      How to
      Automatically Shut Down Your Computer at a Specified Time
      4 Easy Ways to Paste Text Using Keyboard Shortcuts
      How to
      Make a Zip File
      3 Easy Ways to Customize EXE Program Icons in Windows
      How to
      Select All
      How to
      Unzip a File on Any Device: Easy Step-by-Step Guide
      How to
      Change a File Extension
      3 Easy Ways to Merge Objects in Blender: Step-by-Step
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.dell.com/support/contents/en-ph/videos/videoplayer/how-to-check-for-the-wireless-card-in-the-network-adapters-section-in-device-manager/6176627722001
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/system-information/system-information-user-guide-syspr35536/mac
      3. ↑ https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/command-line-for-beginners#3-opening-a-terminal
      4. ↑ https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/net-wireless-troubleshooting-hardware-check.html.en

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 50,330 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement