The WiFi icon in Windows 10 allows users to quickly connect to and manage wireless networks. However, some users may encounter a situation where the WiFi icon disappears from the taskbar, making it difficult to connect to a wireless network. In this guide, we will go through multiple solutions to restore the missing WiFi icon on your Windows 10 system.
1. Check If the WiFi Icon Is Hidden
Before diving into advanced troubleshooting, the first thing you should do is check whether the WiFi icon is simply hidden from the taskbar. Windows 10 sometimes hides icons to declutter the taskbar.
(1) Expand the System Tray
Click on the upward arrow (^) on the right side of the taskbar.
Look for the WiFi icon in the small window that appears.
If found, drag it back to the taskbar for quick access.
(2) Enable the Network Icon from Settings
Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
Scroll down and click on Turn system icons on or off.
Ensure that Network is turned on.
2. Restart Windows Explorer
Sometimes, a glitch in the Windows Explorer process can cause system icons to disappear. Restarting the process may help restore the WiFi icon.
Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Locate Windows Explorer under the Processes tab.
Right-click it and select Restart.
Wait for a few seconds, and check if the WiFi icon appears. If not, try the next method.
3. Enable the Network Services
The WiFi icon may disappear if the necessary network-related services are disabled. Ensuring that these services are running can help resolve the issue.
Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
In the Services window, look for the following services:
Network Connections
Windows Event Log
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
WLAN AutoConfig
Double-click each service and ensure that:
The Startup type is set to Automatic.
The service is running (Click Start if it is stopped).
Restart your computer and check if the WiFi icon appears.
4. Upgrade the Network Driver
An outdated or corrupted network driver can cause connectivity issues and prevent the WiFi icon from appearing. To fix this, we recommend using Driver Sentry, a reliable tool that helps update drivers efficiently.
Click here to download and install Driver Sentry.
Once installed, open Driver Sentry and click the Scan button to perform a full scan of your computer's drivers.
Find the WiFi adapter driver in the scan results.
Click Upgrade to install the latest driver automatically.
Reboot your computer and check if the WiFi icon is back.
If you prefer to update the driver manually:
Press Win + X to open Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters and find your WiFi adapter.
Right-click and select Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.
After updating, restart your system and see if the issue is resolved.
5. Check Group Policy Settings
In some cases, the WiFi icon might be hidden due to incorrect Group Policy settings. If this setting has been modified, it can prevent the icon from appearing.
Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
Navigate to: User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Start Menu and Taskbar
Locate Remove the networking icon.
Double-click it and set it to Not Configured or Disabled.
Click Apply, then OK, and restart your computer.
6. Perform a System File Check
If corrupted system files are causing the issue, running an SFC scan can repair them and restore missing system components.
Press Win + X, then select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
Type the sfc /scannow command and press Enter.
Wait for the scan to complete and follow any repair instructions if errors are found.
Restart your computer and check if the WiFi icon appears.
By following these steps, you should be able to fix the missing WiFi icon and restore full functionality to your Windows 10 system. It is recommended to regularly use Driver Sentry to update network drivers and maintain optimal computer performance.
See also:
Fix Keyboard That Can't Type Numbers
Solve the Keyboard Not Typing Letters Issue
