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

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Quick and easy ways to view your computer’s connectivity hardware
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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

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  1. Press the Windows key to open your taskbar, type device manager , and click the Control Panel result.
  2. 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]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using System Information on Mac

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  1. When you hold down the Option key and click the Apple menu, you'll see different options than you would otherwise.
  2. 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. If your Mac desktop or MacBook has a wireless network card, it will be listed here. [2]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Linux

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  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open a Terminal if you haven't already. [3]
  2. 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]
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      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

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