If you’re on Windows 10, and you cannot see the Wi-Fi icon on your desktop taskbar even when you have a good connection to the internet, you’re not alone. Many Windows 10 users are reporting this problem as well. But no worries, we are here to help.
The exact cause for this problem varies from one to another, and here we have 4 of the most effective methods for you to try. You may not have to try them all; just work your way down until you find the one that works for you. One of them is bound to work.
Try these fixes, one at a time:
Method 1: Modify notification settings
Method 2: Re-run explorer.exe
Method 3: Fix from Group Policy
Method 4: Update the Network adapter driver
Method 1: Modify notification settings
1) Follow the path: Start button > Settings > System.
2) On the left pane, click Notifications & actions. On the right pane, click Turn system icons on or off.
3) Then slide the slider to the On position for the Network option.
Method 2: Re-run explorer.exe
1) Right-click the taskbar and click Task Manager.
2) In the Process tab, find the Windows Explorer option from the list (you can locate this option easily by pressing the W key), then right-click it and click End Task.
If there is more than one Windows Explorer option, you need to end each one of them.
3) Click File on the top bar and then Run New Task.
4) In the search box, type explorer.exe, make sure the option Create this task with administrative privileges is ticked and press Enter.
Check to see if you can see the Wi-Fi icon back on the taskbar.
Method 3: Fix from Group Policy
1) Press the Windows key and R at the same time to invoke a Run command. Then type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
2) On the left pane, go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar. On the right pane, double-click Remove the network icon.
3) Now, change the settings to Not Configured or Disabled. Then click Apply and OK to save and exit.
4) Restart your computer and see if your problem is fixed.
Method 4: Update the Network adapter driver
An outdated network adapter driver is one of the causes of your missing Wi-Fi icon. So you should also consider getting your network adapter driver updated.
Manual network adapter driver update – You can go to your computer’s manufacturer website to search for the appropriate network adapter driver there, use the Device Manager to update the driver, or update your driver from Windows Update. If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update your network adapter driver manually, you can do it with Driver Easy.
Automatic network adapter driver update – Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.
You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE or the Pro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 clicks (and you get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee):
1) Download and install Driver Easy.
2) Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
3) Click the Update button next to all flagged network adapters to automatically download and install the correct version of their drivers (you can do this with the FREE version).
Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (this requires the Pro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All).
