A password is the only thing you need to be able to connect your Windows 7 computer to a wireless network. Below are the basic steps to follow to connect to WIFI.

**Note: if this is your first time to set up your Access Point or wireless router, you need to go through the AP’s initial set-up process. Details are available in your manufacturer’s box and instructions are included too. **

Setting up your wireless router requires SSID or the Network Name, WEP, WPA, or type of security encryption, security key, or commonly known as a password.

How to connect Windows 7 desktop computer to WIFI

  • Click the “Network” icon from the Windows notification located on the right side of the taskbar.
  • The list of wireless networks will be displayed. So, click the name of the wireless connection you like your Windows 7 computer be connected to.
  • Type the network password on the password prompt and then click “Connect” to connect to the network.
  • Hover your mouse to the wireless icon again to see if the connection has been successfully established.

How to connect Windows 7 desktop computer to a hidden network

  • Click the “Start” button and then select “Control Panel”
  • Select “Network and Internet” option and click “Network and Sharing Center”
  • From the options displayed, select “Set up a New Connection or Network”
  • Select “Manually Connect to a Wireless Network” and click “Next”
  • Manually type the network SSID in the network name box, and from the drop down menu, select the security type.
  • Then, type the network password in the “Security Key” box.
  • Tick the “Connect even if the network is not broadcasting” option. Then, do not forget to also tick the “Start This Connection Automatically” so your computer will connect to this wireless network when in range.
  • The network is now saved.
  • Network connection again will give you the CONNECTED notification if you click the network connection icon.

Here’s another way to connect your Windows 7 computer which applies to specific computer brands:

  • Click the Start menu and select Control Panel
  • Select Network and Internet, then Network and Sharing Center
  • Then select Change adapter settings from the options
  • Once you are on Wireless connection option, right click and select Enable
  • Your computer will then search for available WIFI connections.
  • Select your wireless network
  • Type the Security Key or password, then click CONNECT or OK.

How to connect WIFI in Windows 7 for computers with wireless adapters

  • Select the start menu and type DEVICE MANAGER in the search box. Select DEVICE MANAGER once the search result is displayed.
  • Click Network Adapters, select the option that says Network Adapters or WIFI
  • Click the NETWORK icon from the taskbar, and then select the name of your network.
  • Tick the CONNECT AUTOMATICALLY button so your computer will automatically reconnect the next time you will use your computer or if the WIFI network is in range. Then, click the CONNECT button.
  • Type the Network Security Key or the password into the security key box. Then click OK.
  • You should be able to use the Internet provided that you have entered the correct password. If the password is incorrect, an error message will prompt.

How to connect Windows 7 laptop to WIFI

  • Click the “Network” icon from the Windows notification located on the right side of the taskbar.
  • The list of wireless networks will be displayed. So, click the name of the wireless connection you like your Windows 7 computer be connected to.
  • Type the network password on the password prompt and then click “Connect” to connect to the network.

How to connect Windows 7 laptop to a hidden network

  • Click the “Start” button and then select “Control Panel”
  • Select “Network and Internet” option and click “Network and Sharing Center”
  • From the options displayed, select “Set up a New Connection or Network”
  • Select “Manually Connect to a Wireless Network” and click “Next”
  • Manually type the network SSID in the network name box, and from the drop down menu, select the security type.
  • Then, type the network password in the “Security Key” box.
  • Tick the “Connect even if the network is not broadcasting” option. Then, do not forget to also tick the “Start This Connection Automatically” so your computer will connect to this wireless network when in range.
  • The network is now saved.

If it is the first time to connect to a selected network, a prompt asking for the location of the computer will be displayed on the screen: home network, work network, and public network. Select the most appropriate or suitable.

 

Make sure your wireless adapter driver is updated to avoid errors and issues connecting to WIFI. There are two ways to update your wireless adapter driver: manually and automatically.

The automatic update option requires you to download and install software on your computer.  The wireless adapter driver software will take care of the needed updates and works. This is much recommended for non-techy users to avoid issues of installing incorrect updates and such.

On the other hand, manually updating your wireless adapter driver requires you to go through the manufacturer’s official website for updates.

The task involves manually searching for the exact model number of your driver and looking for the latest update for the wireless adapter. But whatever suits you, a wireless adapter driver update is necessary to be able to continue connecting to a wireless network without issues.

After a successful wireless adapter driver update, restart your computer. Reconnect to your preferred wireless network or WIFI and see if your desktop computer or laptop is now able to connect to the Internet.

How to verify a wireless network

  • Click the Windows logo or the start icon from the bottom left corner of your screen.
  • Select Control Panel from the options
  • Click on Network and Internet
  • Click on Network and Sharing Center
  • And then select Wireless Network Connection (below View your Active Networks)
  • The Wireless Connection Status will then be displayed on the screen
  • It should display IPV4 Connectivity: Internet, No Network Access: wireless connection
  • If you have no patience to go through the process, you can simply hover your mouse over the Network Connection icon, it will show the network name and the status: CONNECTED.

Connecting to your wireless network

  • Switch on your wireless LAN by pressing Fn + F9 simultaneously. On some models, it is Fn + F8.
  • Click the wireless network icon on your computer (mostly this can be found beside the time and date display). Then, the list of networks will be displayed.
  • Select and click the name of your wireless network and then click connect.
  • Enter or type your wireless encryption key or your network password in the security key field. Make sure to type correctly as this is case sensitive. Then, click OK.
  • It will show the connecting notification, then once you see a pyramid like icon is all white, a connection has been established.

Why is my Windows 7 not connecting to WIFI?

This issue may have been caused by an outdated driver, or due to a software conflict. You can refer to the steps below on how to resolved network connection issues in Windows 7: Method 1: Restart your modem and wireless router. This helps create a new connection to your Internet service provider (ISP).

Does Windows 7 have WIFI?

Windows 7 has built-in software support for W-Fi. If your computer has a built-in wireless network adapter (all laptops and some desktops do), it should work right out of the box. If it doesn’t work right away, look for a switch on the computer case that turns Wi-Fi on and off.

Where is the WIFI Connection Manager in Windows 7?

Go to Start and click Control Panel. The Network and Sharing Center window will display. Click Manage wireless networks. The Manage Wireless Networks window will appear, and you can see all the wireless network connection profiles that have been configured on this computer.

How do I find my wireless driver windows 7?

Click the Start button, type device manager in the search box, and select Device Manager. Expand Network adapters, and check if there’s any device with the words Wireless Adapter or WiFi as its name.

How do I get the wifi icon on my taskbar Windows 7?

Right-click on the taskbar and select ‘Properties’ On the Taskbar tab, click on ‘Customize’ under the ‘Notification Area’ segment. Click on ‘Turn system icons on or off’

How do I fix missing WIFI on Windows 7?

How do I get the wifi option on my taskbar?

Why is the wifi icon not showing on my computer?

If the Wi-Fi icon is not showing on your laptop, chances are that the wireless radio is disabled on your device. You can enable it back again by turning on the hard or soft button for the wireless radio. Refer to your PC manual to locate such a button. Also, you can turn on the wireless radio through the BIOS setup.

Why my wifi is not working in laptop?

Reinstall the latest network drivers

Open the Windows Device Manager. In the Device Manager, expand the Network adapters section to see all network devices. Highlight your Wi-Fi or Wireless network adapter and press the Delete key to remove the device. If there is a check box to uninstall the drivers, check the box.

How do I fix the wifi on my laptop?

Details of the steps:
  1. Check whether the laptop has a WIFI button, make sure the WIFI is on. Restart the laptop.
  2. Restart the router. Make sure that the WLAN light is on or flashing, check the settings whether the SSID is broadcasted or hide.
  3. Remove the wireless profile on the laptop.
  4. Put in your password.

Why is my computer not connecting to the WiFi?

There are several reasons why your PC might not be able to connect to Wi-Fi. You should first make sure that your PC’s Wi-Fi adapter hasn’t been turned off, or needs to be reset. The issue might also be with the Wi-Fi, not your PC — make sure that it works on other devices.

How do I fix windows unable to connect to WiFi?

Fix “Windows Can’t Connect To This Network” Error
  1. Forget The Network & Reconnect To It.
  2. Toggle The Airplane Mode On & Off.
  3. Uninstall The Drivers For Your Network Adapter.
  4. Run Commands In CMD To Fix The Issue.
  5. Reset Your Network Settings.
  6. Disable IPv6 On Your PC.
  7. Use The Network Troubleshooter.

What do you do if your computer wont connect to WiFi?

  1. Unplug the power cable for the router from the power source.
  2. Unplug the power cable for the modem from the power source. Some modems have a backup battery.
  3. Wait at least 30 seconds or so.
  4. Plug the modem back into the power source.
  5. Plug your router back into the power source.
  6. On your PC, try to connect again.

How do I manually connect to WiFi?

Option 2: Add network
  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
  2. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
  3. Touch and hold Wi-Fi .
  4. At the bottom of the list, tap Add network. You may need to enter the network name (SSID) and security details.
  5. Tap Save.

Why won’t my computer connect to the Internet but my phone will?

Firstly, try using the LAN, wired connection. If the problem concerns only Wi-Fi connection, restart your modem and router. Power them off and wait for some time before turning them on again. Also, it might sound silly, but don’t forget about the physical switch or the function button (FN the on keyboard).

How do I fix my Internet connection on Windows 7?

Using the Windows 7 Network and Internet Troubleshooter
  1. Click Start , and then type network and sharing in the Search box.
  2. Click Troubleshoot problems.
  3. Click Internet Connections to test the Internet connection.
  4. Follow the instructions to check for problems.
  5. If the problem is resolved, you are done.