The easiest way to tell if your desktop has Wi-Fi is by checking the back side of your chassis for Wi-Fi support. Your desktop might have a built-in Wi-Fi module, a PCIe Wi-Fi adapter, or a USB Wi-Fi receiver installed. Alternatively, you may find a port labeled “Wi-Fi” on the back of the computer.
But there are cases where the Wi-Fi adapter or its driver is disabled in your system. This will restrict the OS from accessing Wi-Fi, leading you to think that the desktop does not have Wi-Fi. So you need to perform several steps to determine if your desktop has Wi-Fi.
Check Motherboard Manual
Although you may check if your desktop has Wi-Fi from the back of the CPU case, it’s not always that you have complete access to the CPU case. In such a situation, you can use the motherboard’s or the desktop’s user manual.
Your motherboard user manual contains every detail about the motherboard, its supported component, and how to connect each component. Using the manual, you can check if yourmotherboard supports Wi-Fi.
The manual will have a section explaining the steps to connect the Wi-Fi antenna to the motherboard if it supports Wi-Fi. But it is highly likely that your desktop does not have Wi-Fi if the user manual does not mention anything about Wi-Fi.
Check System Tray Icon
The System Tray Icon contains important Windows functionalities such as sound, keyboard input type, date/time, and most importantly, Wi-Fi. You can rest assured if you see a Wi-Fi icon because your desktop has Wi-Fi.
Check Windows Settings
Network and internet settings in Windows allow you to access and change any network-related settings. This includes Wi-Fi as well. If you do not see Wi-Fi listed on the Network and Internet settings, your desktopdoes not support Wi-Fi.
Now, on the left panel, you will see a list of network settings. If the list contains Wi-Fi, your desktop has Wi-Fi. Enable it to connect to a network wirelessly.
You will not see Wi-Fi in Windows settingsif it is disabled from the Control Panel. In that case, you need to check Network Connections as well.
Check Network Connections
Network connections contain the list of all your system’s built-in or connected network devices. Besides this, you’re able to also disable/enable each device driver, manage its properties and diagnose the device.Using Network connections, you can determine whether your system has Wi-Fi.
If you see Wi-Fi is among the network devices, your desktop has Wi-Fi. However, if theNetwork adapter driveris removed/disabled from the system, Network Connections will not display Wi-Fi on the list of network devices.
To ensure this is not the case, we recommend you check if the device is removed from the Device Manager or disabled from the BIOS.
Check Device Manager
When uninstalling a driver using Device Manager, the OS will not acknowledge the device. Even if the device is connected, you cannot access its functionalities. The same goes for theWi-Fi driver.
You cannot access Wi-Fi settings if the Wi-Fi driver is uninstalled or not installed at all.
Check BIOS
BIOS, or the Basic Input Output System, allows users to access and change the settings related to hardware connected to the motherboard. You can also enable and disable Wireless LAN or WLANusing the BIOS. If disabled, your OS will not detect the Wi-Fi adapter.
You need to enable WLAN in the BIOS to ensure that the OS uses Wi-Fi.
