Ubuntu WiFi Adapter Missing Fixes | Generated by AI

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Question: In Ubuntu, why does it sometimes say “WiFi adapter not found”, so there is no WiFi section in Settings, and thus you can’t connect to WiFi?

Answer:

This is a very common issue in Ubuntu (and other Linux distributions). The “No WiFi adapter found” message appears — and the WiFi section disappears or becomes unavailable in Settings — when Ubuntu cannot properly detect or use your wireless network adapter. Here are the main reasons this happens:

Main Causes

  1. Missing or incorrect WiFi driver
    Many WiFi chipsets (especially Broadcom, Realtek, some Qualcomm/Atheros) do not have fully open-source drivers included by default in Ubuntu.
    • If the driver is missing, not loaded, or the wrong one is used → the system does not see a usable wireless interface → NetworkManager hides the WiFi option.

  2. Hardware/firmware not detected at all
    Run lspci | grep -i network (for internal PCIe cards) or lsusb (for USB WiFi adapters).
    If your WiFi card does not appear → kernel does not see the hardware (rare, but can happen after suspend, kernel update, loose card, or hardware failure).

  3. Driver is loaded but NetworkManager does not recognize the interface
    You see the card in lspci or lshw -C network, but Settings still says no adapter.
    This can happen with buggy drivers, rfkill block, or misconfiguration.

  4. Fast Startup / hybrid shutdown from Windows (dual-boot)
    Windows Fast Startup leaves the WiFi card in a weird powered-off state → Linux cannot wake it properly.

  5. rfkill hardware or software block
    WiFi can be hard-blocked (physical switch / Fn key) or soft-blocked.

  6. Kernel regression or incompatible version
    After a kernel update (or fresh install of newer Ubuntu), a previously working chipset stops working.

Quick Troubleshooting Steps (in order of priority)

  1. Check if the hardware is seen
    Open Terminal and run: 
    lspci -nnk | grep -iA3 net

    or

    lshw -C network

    Look for “Wireless”, “WiFi”, “802.11”, “Network controller”. Note the vendor:device ID (e.g. 14e4:4360 = Broadcom).

  2. Check rfkill status 
    rfkill list all

    If “Hard blocked: yes” → press the physical WiFi key or Fn+F-key combo.
    If “Soft blocked: yes” → run rfkill unblock wifi.

  3. Try to enable WiFi via terminal 
    nmcli radio wifi on
nmcli device wifi list

    If you see networks → the driver works, but GUI failed.

  4. Install proprietary drivers (most common fix)
    • Connect via Ethernet, USB tethering from phone, or another way temporarily.
    • Open Software & Updates → Additional Drivers tab.
    • Select the recommended WiFi driver (e.g. bcmwl-kernel-source for Broadcom, or something for Realtek).
    • Apply Changes → reboot.

  5. Dual-boot Windows fix
    Boot into Windows → disable Fast Startup (Control Panel → Power Options → “Choose what the power buttons do” → uncheck “Turn on fast startup”) → shut down completely (not restart) → boot Ubuntu.

  6. Other quick commands people often use 
    sudo apt update
sudo apt install --reinstall network-manager
sudo modprobe -r <driver_name> && sudo modprobe <driver_name>   # e.g. rtl8821ae, rtw89_8852be

Summary

In most cases (especially laptops with Broadcom or Realtek chips), the root cause is a missing proprietary driver. Ubuntu hides the WiFi section in Settings when NetworkManager sees zero wireless devices. Once you get a working driver (via Additional Drivers + internet), the WiFi section reappears and you can connect normally.

If you share the output of lspci -nnk | grep -iA3 net or tell us your laptop model / WiFi chipset, people can usually give the exact command to fix it.

References:

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