Symptoms
- Home network doesn't appear in the Wi-Fi list
- Only other networks nearby are visible
- Network appeared before but disappeared
- Connecting by name manually also fails
Likely causes
- CommonRouter broadcasting on a band the console doesn't support wellSome older consoles struggle with 5GHz-only networks.
- CommonRouter set to hide its network name (SSID)Hidden networks require manual entry and aren't always supported smoothly.
- PossibleConsole too far from the routerWeak signal strength can prevent the network from appearing at all.
- PossibleRouter needs a restartA stuck router can stop broadcasting properly.
- Less commonConsole's wireless adapter failingHardware failure that would also affect finding any network.
What to do
- Confirm your router is broadcasting a 2.4GHz network, which most consoles support best.
- Check if the router's SSID broadcast is hidden and temporarily enable it to test.
- Move the console closer to the router temporarily to rule out signal strength.
- Restart both the router and the console.
- Try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network, like a phone hotspot, to see if the console finds it.
- If other networks are found but not yours, check for special characters in your network name that some devices mishandle.
- If the console can't find any wireless network at all, its wireless hardware may be failing.
When to call a pro
If the console can't detect any Wi-Fi network including a phone hotspot, have its wireless hardware tested by a repair shop.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.