I usually connect my computer with a wired connection, but both the Wi-Fi and Ethernet options have suddenly disappeared from the network settings. Since I have no internet access, I also can't run the usual diagnostic tools. What should I check to restore the connection?
2 Answers
Restart the computer first, then check Settings > Network & Internet to see whether the Wi-Fi option returns. If both Wi-Fi and Ethernet are still missing, open Device Manager and expand Network adapters. Look for a yellow warning triangle, a disabled adapter, or an adapter that appears as an unknown device. Those usually point to a driver or hardware-detection issue.
If this is a desktop with an ASUS motherboard, try a complete power drain. Shut the computer down, unplug the power cable, hold the power button for about 10 seconds, then reconnect the cable and start it again. This can reset the onboard networking hardware, and it restored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for me when both disappeared.
What kind of warning signs should I be looking for in Device Manager?