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Before you begin
Before trying any of these solutions, make sure that the symptoms you have are the same as those described below. If you’re having other issues with Wi-Fi, see Why can't I get online for more solutions.
To check the Network & Internet settings on your Surface, select the Start button, and then select Settings > Network & Internet .
You won’t be able to connect to a wireless network if Wi-Fi is not listed in your Network & Internet settings. If Wi-Fi is missing, the Internet access icon will also be missing from your taskbar.
Get connected to Wi-Fi
Here are some solutions to try if you can’t connect to a wireless network because Wi-Fi settings aren’t visible on your Surface.
- Solution 1: Restart your Surface and check Wi-Fi settings
- Solution 2: Install updates
- Solution 3: Run the Windows network troubleshooter
- Solution 4: Verify that Wi-Fi is available in Device Manager
Solution 1: Restart your Surface and check Wi-Fi settings
If your Wi-Fi settings are missing, restart (not shut down) your Surface, and check the Wi-Fi settings again. Here’s how:
- Make sure your router is connected to a working phone jack or cable connection, either directly or through a modem. For more information on setting up the right equipment, see Setting up a wireless network.
- Select the Start button, and then select Power > Restart, or if you have updates pending, select Update and restart.
- After your Surface restarts, sign in.
- Select the Start button, and then select Settings > Network & Internet .
- Select Airplane mode, and make sure Airplane mode is set to Off.
- If Wi-Fi settings are still missing: Go to Solution 2.
- If Wi-Fi settings are visible: Select Wi-Fi and make sure that Wi-Fi is set to On and that your network name appears in the list of available wireless networks. Select your network, and then select Connect.
If Wi-Fi settings are now visible but you’re still having other Wi-Fi issues (for example, you don’t see your network name in the list), see Why can't I get online for more info.
Solution 2: Install updates
Installing the latest updates can help fix many common Wi-Fi connection issues, but you’ll need to be online to download updates. If you can’t connect to your home network or to a public wireless network at a coffee shop or library, here are other ways that you may be able to go online and get the updates:
- You can use a wired connection to go online.
- If you have a Surface Pro 3 or Surface 3, you can download a single update file manually to install on your Surface. You can use another PC with internet access to download the file to a USB drive and transfer it to your Surface. For more info, see Install Surface and Windows updates.
- If you have a Surface 3 with built-in mobile broadband connectivity, you can use it to connect to the internet and get updates. For more info, see Set up your Surface 3 (4G LTE).
Once you’re online, here’s how to check for and install the latest updates manually:
- Select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates. If updates are available, they will download and install automatically.
- After the updates are installed, if your Surface doesn’t restart automatically, you can do it manually: Select the Start button, and then select Power > Restart, or if you have updates pending, select Update and restart.
- After your Surface restarts, sign in.
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Repeat these steps until you see Your device is up to date after you select Check for updates. For more info about installing updates, see Install Surface and Windows updates.
- If Wi-Fi settings are still missing: Go to Solution 3.
- If Wi-Fi settings are visible: Select Wi-Fi and make sure that Wi-Fi is set to On and that your network name appears in the list of available wireless networks. Select your network, and then select Connect.
If your Wi-Fi settings are now visible but you’re still having other Wi-Fi issues, see Why can't I get online for more info.
Solution 3: Run the Windows network troubleshooter
The Windows network troubleshooter can help diagnose and fix Wi-Fi problems.
Select the Start button, and then select Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network troubleshooter, and choose from the options.
- If Wi-Fi settings are still missing: Go to Solution 4.
- If Wi-Fi settings are visible: Select Wi-Fi and make sure that Wi-Fi is set to On and that your network name appears in the list of available wireless networks. Select your network, and then select Connect.
If your Wi-Fi settings are now visible but you’re still having other Wi-Fi issues, see Why can't I get online for more info.
Solution 4: Verify that Wi-Fi is available in Device Manager
If Wi-Fi settings are missing on your Surface, Wi-Fi may be disabled in Device Manager.
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In the search box in the taskbar, enter Device Manager, and select it from the results.
- Select the arrow next to Network adapters to expand the adapters list, and check to see if the Marvell AVASTAR Network Controller is listed. Notes
- The name of the network controller may be slightly different depending on your Surface model.
- If the Marvell AVASTAR network controller is missing: Contact us.
- Double-click the Marvell AVASTAR Network Controller, select the Driver tab, and then select Disable Device.
- In the warning box, select Yes.
- Then restart the network controller by selecting Enable Device.
- Restart your Surface by selecting the Start button, and then Power > Restart, or if you have updates pending, select Update and restart.
- If Wi-Fi settings are still missing: Contact us.
- If Wi-Fi settings are visible: Select Wi-Fi and make sure that Wi-Fi is set to On and that your network name appears in the list of available wireless networks.
If your Wi-Fi settings are now visible but you’re still having Wi-Fi issues, see Why can't I get online for more info.