Windows: No Wireless Networking

Delete and Reconnect

• Windows 10: Reset Wireless Connection

• Windows 8: Reset Wireless Connection

Service Not Running

On Windows Vista/7 or later, the system may not detect any wireless networks, despite the fact the wireless network adaptor is enabled, and the wireless network can be accessed by other workstations.

This may occur if the WLAN AutoConfig service cannot start. This may mean the contents of C:\Windows\L2Schemas are corrupt or not present (error 0x800c0006). Replace them with clean files from a system with the same operating system.

On Windows Vista the files are: LAN_policy_v1.xsd, LAN_profile_v1.xsd, OneX_v1.xsd, WLAN_policy_v1.xsd and WLAN_profile_v1.xsd.

On Windows 7 the files are: LAN_policy_v1.xsd, LAN_profile_v1.xsd, OneX_v1.xsd, WLANAP_profile_v1.xsd, WLAN_policy_v1.xsd, WLAN_profile_v1.xsd and WWAN_profile_v1.xsd.

Blocked SSIDs

Another reason no wireless networks may appear is if some SSIDs have been blocked. To determine if this is the case, open a command-prompt and type:

netsh wlan show filter

Corrupt Profiles

A situation where wireless networks can be accessed and connected to, but after a short while they disappear may be due to some profile information that is damaged or invalid.

1. Open an elevated command prompt.

2. Type:

   ren "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Wlansvc\Profiles\Interfaces" Interfaces.bak

   net stop Wlansvc

   net start Wlansvc

Duplicate Device

The wireless adaptor may appear to be working but Windows diagnostics sees the wireless radio as off. This may occur if a device driver is invalid or duplicated.

1. Open Device Manager.

2. Under View, tick Show hidden devices.

3. Expand Software Devices. If there is an additional instance of Wi-Fi or Wireless Network Connection, uninstall it. Also uninstall other instances.
   

4. Under Action, choose Scan for hardware changes. A single instance of Wi-Fi should reapper.