Symptoms
- No wireless networks listed at all
- Wi-Fi toggle is missing from settings
- 'No Wi-Fi adapter found' message
- Worked during the live USB install but not after
Likely causes
- CommonMissing proprietary Wi-Fi driver/firmwareSome wireless chipsets (common with Broadcom and some Realtek cards) need extra firmware not installed by default.
- CommonWi-Fi disabled by a hardware switch or key comboA physical airplane mode switch or Fn key can turn the radio off entirely.
- PossibleKernel too old for newer Wi-Fi hardwareVery new laptops may need a newer kernel than an older Linux install ships with.
- Less commonSecure Boot blocking driver moduleSome drivers require Secure Boot to be disabled or the module to be signed.
What to do
- Check for a physical Wi-Fi switch or an Fn+F-key combo that toggles wireless, and confirm it's on.
- Connect via Ethernet cable temporarily if possible, since driver installs need internet access.
- Run 'lspci -k' (or 'lsusb' for USB adapters) in a terminal to identify your Wi-Fi chipset model.
- Search your distribution's documentation for that chipset name plus 'driver' to find the right package.
- On Ubuntu, check Software & Updates > Additional Drivers for a proprietary Wi-Fi driver option and install it.
- Run a full system update after installing the driver, then reboot.
- If Secure Boot is enabled and the driver won't load, try disabling Secure Boot in BIOS/UEFI settings as a test.
Tools and parts
- Ethernet cable (temporary internet access)
- USB Wi-Fi adapter (backup option)
USB Wi-Fi adapterSearch: “Linux-compatible USB wifi adapter”
When to call a pro
If no driver exists for your chipset, a cheap USB Wi-Fi adapter with known Linux support is often faster than chasing a driver.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.