How to install wifi on a windows 8 laptop. How to enable Wi-Fi on a laptop

The use of wireless networks has already become a habit with us, but where convenience meets new technologies, various problems can still arise. It is for this reason that today we decided to take a closer look at what to do if Windows 8 does not connect to Wi-Fi.

In the article below, we will consider in as much detail as possible possible diagnostics and solutions to such an unpleasant problem, but the first thing that you should understand is that it, in fact, can be both on the side of your computer and on the side of the router.

Where to start

Do not forget to carefully check the password that you, as always, enter when connecting - perhaps you have the wrong language or Tab is turned on. You can check what you are entering by clicking on the special character next to the password - then you will see it not in the form of asterisks, but already in the form of symbols.

Computer check

Sometimes diagnostics can help: turn it on by right-clicking on the icon Wi-Fi networks and finding the corresponding item there. Then just follow the prompts.

After that, you just need to take and reboot both the laptop / PC and the distribution point - the logic is that during loading, a failure and incorrect inclusion of drivers could occur. Driving into the search "Wi-Fi does not work on Windows 8", users are preparing for a huge number of different manipulations to restore normal operation, but, as a rule, just such a simple method often solves most of the problems.

Adapter check

Next, we check if the adapter is enabled at all on the computer. You should have an icon that shows the available networks; if it is absent, then it is worth trying to press the special Wi-Fi power button - usually it has a special designation and, in some cases, even an indicator. In some models, activation occurs using a combination of the adapter power button and an additional button.

If everything is turned on, then, perhaps, the drivers did not load or the drivers "flew", which we will talk about a little below, or the receiving device on the computer is simply not connected. The latter is quite possible if the contacts are oxidized or if they were forgotten to connect after cleaning - in these cases, you have to open everything again.

Have you checked - everything is in place? Try to connect with other devices, for example, a phone, to this network - if you connected, then the problem is in the computer, if the attempt fails, then it is in the router.

Provider check

It is also worth remembering that if you still caught the network, but see a yellow icon next to the signal strength icon and cannot connect, then most likely the problem is with the provider - call and find out what happened.

Well, now let's take a closer look at two different problems due to which a computer on Windows 8 does not connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi.

What to do if Windows 8 won't connect to Wi-Fi: Video

Setting up your computer

You have determined that Wi-Fi does not work on Windows 8 obviously due to a problem in the computer - now you need to reinstall the adapter and update the drivers.

First of all, you need to go to the step that is easiest, that is, find out which adapter model you have (if it is a personal computer) or laptop and go to the manufacturer's website - there you can find a suitable driver. As a rule, the desired one will have the signature "wlan" in the title. After that, we just run the downloaded file, confirm everything and wait for the update, then restart the computer and try.

In extreme cases, we still "reinstall" the receiving device. On the desktop, we lead the arrow to the lower right corner, wait until the panel appears and select "Options" and there "Information about the computer".

Inside we are already waiting for the "Device Manager" parameter, which you will find on the left.

Find "Network adapters" in the provided device tree, open it. Having found the one marked with Wi-Fi, right-click and select "Delete" there.

Now we click a little above "Update hardware configuration" and wait until the device is found. After that, it's a good idea to manually update the driver again.

Of course, there are rare cases when after all these steps nothing worked - either the adapter is out of order, or you need to reinstall the system.

This, in fact, is all the steps that should be taken if the laptop does not connect to Wi-Fi on Windows 8. Now we turn to the analysis of possible options for actions with the router.

We deal with the router

However, there are rare cases when it's not just a computer. As you can see for yourself, there are more than enough problems due to which Wi-Fi does not connect on a Windows 8 laptop, and problems on the side of the distribution point are one of them.

Check if the power supply unit periodically comes off, whether the provider's cable fits well in the socket (remember the case with the yellow exclamation mark?).

If you have not changed the settings and the router is protected with a password and normal encryption, then most likely it either failed or the firmware has crashed. Both the first and the second cases are sometimes difficult to detect, since in case of malfunctions in the firmware, the device settings may even be available, but it will not work correctly.

First of all, try to reset everything to the factory settings, simply by holding down a separate key on the router or the power button, and then try again - if here you have a failure, then proceed to flashing. It is produced according to the instructions that you will find on the manufacturer's website, and there you need to download the new firmware version.

Here is a complete list of actions that will have to be taken if Wi-Fi does not work on Windows 8.

How to easily set up Wi-Fi on a Windows 8 laptop: Video

I work as a private computer foreman. I have been professionally engaged in computer repair for over 12 years, as an amateur since the 90s.
For two years he worked as the head of a service center specializing in connecting subscribers to the Internet and computer assistance.

The Windows 8 operating system is relatively new, moreover, it has many differences from previous versions, which raises different questions. How to connect Wi-Fi on Windows 8 is one of the most common questions, since the first thing we do when we turn on the computer is trying to access the Internet. This is what will be discussed.

Preparing to connect to a wireless network

Connecting to a Wi-Fi router on a Windows 8 laptop is very easy. The developers of this operating system have tried to simplify this process as much as possible. You just need to turn on the wireless adapter, click on the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray, select the desired connection from the list and click "Connect". If necessary, you need to enter a password.

In order not to enter the security key every time, you need to check the "Connect automatically" line. This will allow the system to remember the network configuration in the future when you turn on the laptop and booting Windows 8, the Wi-Fi connection will be completed automatically. So, here's how to connect Wi-Fi on a Windows 8 laptop.

How to enable wireless networking on Windows 8: Video

Connecting to a wireless network

The wireless adapter is turned on using the key combination + [Wi-Fi on button]. The key activates additional keyboard functions. We pinch it and hold it. Without releasing the button, you need to press the power button of the adapter - it is indicated by the corresponding icon, which looks like an antenna or a computer with radio signals outgoing to the sides.

After that, click on the Wi-Fi icon with the left mouse button.

A menu will open in which you will see two headings:

  1. Airplane mode.
  2. Wireless network.

If you activate the first mode, then all wireless connections will be disabled. Therefore, you need to move the slider opposite the airplane mode to the "Off" position.

After that, we move on to the second section. Here you need to set the slider to the "On" position.

After that, the system will start searching for available connections and offer you a list. Your task is to find your router in this list, select it and press the "Connect" button. Enter a password if required.

As mentioned above, in order for the system to remember the security key, you need to check the "Connect automatically" line. Then enter the password (if required) and click "Next".

A message will then appear. If you want your computer to become a member of the group, then click "Yes". In this case, you will be able to detect all computers that are connected to your router and be able to exchange data with them. But at the same time, your computer will also be available to all members of the group.

If you want to hide your PC, then click "No".

This completes the connection to the Wi-Fi network in Windows 8. However, sometimes certain errors can occur. ... For example, the most common is "Limited". This indicates that you are connected to an access point, but you do not have Internet access. In this case, the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray will be indicated by an exclamation point in a yellow triangle.

The solution to this problem is quite simple. Click on the network icon with the right mouse button. Select "Diagnose Problems".

A window will open in which you will see the inscription "Detecting problems". Then just carefully read the prompts on the screen and follow them. Sometimes, to connect to Wi-Fi, you need to set network parameters manually.

How to turn on Wi-Fi on a Windows 8 laptop: Video

Manual wireless setup

First, we need to open the Network and Sharing Center. This can be done in several ways, but we choose the fastest and easiest. Click on the Wi-Fi icon, select "Network Sharing Center". In the window that opens, go to the "Changing adapter settings" section.

We find here the label "Wireless network". Click on it with the right mouse button and select "Properties". Find the line "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCPIPv4)" here. Select it and click Properties.

A menu will open in which you need to set the markers to the "Use the following IP address" position.

Below you need to specify the network parameters. This data is different for everyone. But if you use a router, then, as a rule, the following values ​​are set:

  • The IP address is 192.168.0.5. If there is more than one computer, then the last digit can be changed. For example, on one computer the address is 192.168.0.4, on the second - 192.168.0.5, on the third - 192.168.0.6, and so on, up to the address 192.168.0.100.
  • The subnet mask is 255.255.255.0.
  • The default gateway is the IP address of your router. You can find out it on the device itself (there is a factory sticker on which all the data is indicated) or in the instructions for it.

Below we set the marker in the position "Use the following DNS server". There will be two lines here:

  1. DNS 1 - 8.8.8.8.
  2. DNS 2 - 8.8.4.4.

After that, click "OK" and close all windows. If you need to enter the provider's details, you can find out from the service provider, that is, call the customer support center and describe your situation. You are obliged to provide all the necessary data.

Windows 8 does not see the Wi-Fi network: Video

More and more users prefer to access the Internet via a wireless network. In order to do this in Windows 8, you need to set certain settings. Let's take a look at exactly what needs to be done.

In order to configure the connection, first you need to turn on the adapter and make sure that you are in the access zone wireless network... Laptops and tablets have a dedicated key on the keyboard that when pressed will activate the adapter. In addition, there is a combination of buttons that launches this device. Usually, a special light on the case will tell you that the adapter is turned on in your device, which lights up at the same time.

After that, open the Network section. This can be done by the combination Win + I or through the Charms Bar. In the window that opens, select the network that is available. Enter the password if necessary. If there is no need for passwords in the network settings, the device will connect to it automatically. If you have several types of connections at once, for example, Wi-Fi and Ethernet, you can prioritize them.

Solving Wi-Fi Problems in Windows 8

Sometimes users encounter certain errors that the system gives out when trying to connect via Wi-Fi. Let's consider the main ones and how to solve them. Initially, you should check whether the Wi-Fi router is connected to the network, whether it is working properly. If everything is correct here, then move on to the next item. And if not, then you can find instructions on how to properly connect the router. You need to make sure that the adapter is turned on in the device itself, tablet or laptop. For example, in the "Airplane" mode, it can automatically turn itself off.

You should also make sure that they are done correctly. To do this, you need to go to the Network Control Center. In it we go to the section Changing adapter parameters. We find the connection we need and select the State command. Click on the Details button, where the connection information is located.

Here you will need to pay attention to the description line, which must contain the adapter installed on the device. In addition, such a parameter as the Ipv4 address is important. In other words, it is the IP address of a computer on a Wi-Fi network. The default gateway will match the HCP server Ipv4. In the first case, the characteristic indicates the address of the access point, the second parameter is the access point itself. To edit the Wi-Fi settings, you need to go to the Status - Properties section. Here we select the Internet protocol version 4, and then click on Properties again. In the General tab, you can configure the connection configuration.

One of the common mistakes that can cause network failure is incorrect transfer of settings after the operating system has downloaded and installed an update. In this case, it doesn't hurt to check the encryption method. To do this, click on the network icon. We open a window of your network and look at its properties. Here you can change the type of encryption and security, as well as the security key. Also Wi-Fi connection may show an error due to antivirus. Try disabling the security program and reconnecting. And if the problem is really in it, then you will need to install another antivirus in the future. What antivirus programs are, you can find out.

A laptop, tablet, or other mobile device can have Wi-Fi problems for a variety of reasons. And in order to fix them, you first need to understand why this is happening. By the way, the most in a simple way, however, the self-diagnostic tool is not always bringing the desired effect. You can try to run it several times, as this tool does not always work the first time. If he did not correct the error, then you will have to look for it yourself or contact the specialists.


Creating an access point in Windows 8 is easy, and you can do it in two ways. The first way is to use system capabilities. The second way is to use a third party program. The choice of the method is yours. [U]

Method 1. With your own hands.

Windows 7 users who create an access point in this way remember that a wizard was used for this purpose. Alas, it does not exist in the G8, so you will have to create everything yourself.

Make sure to enable your wireless adapter before starting creation.

1.open a command prompt with Administrator rights. You can do it like this: press Win + X and in the menu that opens, select the item " Command Line (Admin)»;
2.we write in it netsh wlan show drivers and press Enter;
3. among the received text, we are looking for the line “ Hosted network support". Opposite this sentence should be the meaning “ Yes". Only in this case it will be possible to create a. If the value " No", You will not be able to create anything;
4. without closing the command line, write in it netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode = allow ssid = Your_Network_name key = WiFi_Password (SSID and KEY data need to be invented and entered on your own. netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode = allow ssid = Alex_05 key = qwerty ... Of course, the password needs to be made more complex and secure);

If after entering this command you receive the error “ Failed to start hosted network", Then write in command line following:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode = disallow
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode = allow

Without closing the command line, go to the device manager, expand the section " Network adapters"And find" Hosted network virtual adapter". Right-click on it and select " Engage" or " Turn on».
Switch to the command line and write in it netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode = allow ssid = Your_Network_name key = WiFi_Password keyUsage = persistent ;


5. After we have created a software access point, you need to start it. To do this, on the command line, write netsh wlan start hostednetwork ... If you did everything correctly, then you should receive the following answer: “ Hosted network started»;
6. Now you need to open Internet access. To do this, click Win + R and enter the command ncpa.cpl and click " OK»;
7. find the newly created point (you can identify it by the Wi-Fi name (SSID), which you recently came up with along with the password), usually it has the name "Local Area Connection * 1". Click on this point with the right mouse button and select " Properties»;
8. switch to the " Access"And put a tick in front of the parameter" Allow other users to use this computer's internet connection»;
9. in the drop-down list " Home network connection"Select the connection we just created and click" OK»;
10.the result can be checked by trying to find the created network with mobile device or another PC.

Method 2. Using special software.

If creating an access point yourself is too tedious, then you can use special software. For example, the Connectify program. For information on where to download it, how to work with this program and create an access point, read

An excellent replacement for Connectify can also be programs similar to MyPublicWiFi or Virtual WiFi. It is up to you to choose which of these programs and, in general, of both methods is more convenient.