How to Switch On Wireless on an HP Laptop

If you want to turn on Wi-Fi on your HP laptop, you can use the Wi-Fi button, key, or switch (if it has one), or enable Wi-Fi through Windows. We spoke with Consumer Technology Expert Mitch Harris to learn the easiest ways to turn on the wireless function on your HP laptop.

Turning On Wi-Fi on an HP Laptop

Some HP laptops have wireless switches, buttons, or keys you can press or slide to turn Wi-Fi on and off.
On Windows 10, switch on Wi-Fi by clicking the network icon near the clock and clicking "Wi-Fi."
On Windows 11, click the network icon next to the clock, then click the wireless symbol.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using the Wireless Switch or Key

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1
Press or toggle the Wi-Fi switch on your HP laptop. Some HP laptops have a Wi-Fi switch, button, or key that makes it easy to turn Wi-Fi on and off without digging through Windows menus. The location of your laptop's Wi-Fi switch or button varies by model. If you can't access Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi switch may be turned off.
- On many older HP laptop models, you'll find a physical switch on the right or left side of the laptop that you can slide into the on and off positions. The switch is usually labeled with a Wi-Fi symbol that looks like a tower emitting signals.
- On other HP laptops, you'll see a button above the top row of keyboard keys that has a Wi-Fi symbol or tower switch. If your laptop has one of these buttons, you can press it to toggle Wi-Fi on and off as you use your PC.
- If you don't have a separate button or switch, your HP laptop may have a dedicated function key (the F keys) that acts as a wireless switch. This is usually F8 or F12, but might be a different F key.
  - Switching Wi-Fi on and off may require you to hold down the Fn key as you press the Wi-Fi key.
- If your HP laptop doesn't have a wireless switch, button, or key, it may have an airplane mode button or function key. Pressing this button should also toggle Wi-Fi on and off.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Enabling Wireless in Windows 11

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You'll see these icons next to the clock and date at the bottom-right corner of the screen. Harris notes that the icon looks like a globe if Wi-Fi is turned off.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert

Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.} If you're connected via ethernet, the icon looks like a computer with an ethernet cable. This opens a panel that contains your connection settings, among other things.
2
Click the Wi-Fi symbol to switch Wi-Fi on and off. If Wi-Fi is already enabled, the tile will be highlighted, and you'll either see a network name or "Available." Otherwise, the tile will be gray and say "Wi-Fi."
- Once Wi-Fi is switched on, you can view and connect to available networks by clicking the right-pointing arrow next to the Wi-Fi symbol.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Enabling Wireless in Windows 10

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1
Click the network icon in the system tray. You'll see a Wi-Fi icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen, near the clock.^{[2]
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Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source} Harris explains that if Wi-Fi is not enabled, the icon will look like a globe.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert

Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.} If Wi-Fi is on and you're connected to a network, you'll see the regular Wi-Fi icon, which Harris describes as "a pie slice with stripes on it."^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert

Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.} If you're connected via ethernet, the icon looks like a computer with an ethernet cable.
- If you don't see any of these icons, click the up arrow near the clock to see more options.
2
Click the Wi-Fi tile to switch Wi-Fi on and off. If you're not connected, the tile will be gray. If you are connected, it'll be blue (or your theme's main color), and you'll see a list of available Wi-Fi networks.
- You can now connect to a wireless network by clicking the network's name and entering the password (if required).
- If you're having trouble getting on Wi-Fi, check out our handy troubleshooting guide.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Enabling Wireless in Windows 8

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This takes you to the start screen
When you start typing, a search bar will open in the screen's upper-right corner.
It will appear in the search results.
^{[5]
X
Research source}
Your HP laptop can now connect to wireless networks.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Enabling Wireless in Windows 7 / Vista

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It's in the lower-left corner of the screen.^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source}
It's in the left pane of Control Panel.
Your HP laptop is now ready to connect to a wireless network.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What does the Wi-Fi indicator look like?

Mitch Harris
IT Expert
Mitch Harris is an IT Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

Mitch Harris

IT Expert

Expert Answer

The Wi-Fi indicator looks like a little pie slice with stripes, or it might look like a globe symbol. If you're not connected to any network, the globe symbol might have an "X" on it.

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Question

Where is the Wi-Fi indicator?

Mitch Harris
IT Expert
Mitch Harris is an IT Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

Mitch Harris

IT Expert

Expert Answer

You can find it attached to the taskbar on the lower-right corner of your computer screen.

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Question

How do I reset my Wi-Fi adapter?

Mitch Harris
IT Expert
Mitch Harris is an IT Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

Mitch Harris

IT Expert

Expert Answer

Go to "Settings" and click on "Network Settings." then, enable your Wi-Fi adapter there so you can connect to a network.

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Tips

If your laptop’s wireless function fails to connect after being enabled, turn off your computer, then disconnect your router and modem from the power and the internet. Reconnect all devices to the power and internet line after 60 seconds, and try reconnecting to your wireless network.

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