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How to Fix Surface Pro WiFi Not Working on Windows 10: Complete Troubleshooting Steps

Experiencing WiFi issues on your Surface Pro running Windows 10 can be frustrating. Without a stable internet connection, many essential tasks become difficult. Fortunately, most WiFi problems can be resolved with simple troubleshooting steps.

This guide will walk you through a series of easy and detailed steps to fix WiFi issues on your Surface Pro. Each step is explained clearly, so even if you’re not tech-savvy, you can follow along with confidence.

Before diving into complex solutions, it’s important to understand the basics of how your device connects to WiFi. This can help you identify and fix common problems quickly.

Let’s begin with some quick checks that might immediately resolve your WiFi connectivity problem.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks

  • Check Airplane Mode: Ensure your Surface Pro is not in Airplane Mode. This mode disables all wireless connections, including WiFi.
  • WiFi Enabled: Confirm that WiFi is turned on. Click the WiFi icon in the taskbar to verify.
  • Restart Your Device: Sometimes, a simple restart can clear temporary glitches causing connectivity issues.
  • Check Router and Modem: Make sure your WiFi router and modem are powered on and working correctly. Restart them if necessary.
  • Proximity to Router: Stay close to the router to ensure a strong signal during troubleshooting.

Step 1: Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

The built-in network troubleshooter is a quick and easy tool that can identify and fix common WiFi problems automatically.

  1. Click on the Start button and open Settings.
  2. Go to Update & Security and then select Troubleshoot from the left menu.
  3. Click on Additional troubleshooters.
  4. Find and select Internet Connections and then click Run the troubleshooter.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions and allow Windows to detect and fix any problems.

This step is important because it can automatically resolve issues related to network adapters or incorrect configurations without requiring manual intervention.

Step 2: Restart Your Network Adapter

Sometimes, the network adapter driver may freeze or malfunction. Restarting it can restore proper connectivity.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Network adapters section.
  3. Right-click on your WiFi adapter (usually named something like “Intel Wireless” or “Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Adapter”) and select Disable device.
  4. Wait a few seconds, then right-click again and select Enable device.

This process resets the adapter without needing a full system reboot, which can fix minor driver glitches.

Step 3: Update WiFi Adapter Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers often cause WiFi issues. Keeping your drivers up to date ensures compatibility and improved performance.

  1. Open Device Manager again.
  2. Expand Network adapters.
  3. Right-click your WiFi adapter and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
  5. If Windows finds a newer driver, it will install it; otherwise, it will notify you that the best driver is already installed.

If Windows cannot find a new driver, you can visit the Surface Pro support website or your adapter manufacturer’s site to download the latest drivers manually.

Step 4: Forget and Reconnect to Your WiFi Network

Sometimes, connection settings can become corrupted. Forgetting the network and reconnecting can reset these settings.

  1. Click the WiFi icon on the taskbar.
  2. Right-click your WiFi network and select Forget.
  3. Click on the network again and enter your WiFi password to reconnect.

This step helps clear any incorrect saved credentials or configurations that may be preventing a successful connection.

Step 5: Reset Network Settings

If the problem persists, resetting all network settings to their defaults can fix deeper configuration issues.

  1. Open Settings and navigate to Network & Internet.
  2. Scroll down and click on Network reset.
  3. Click Reset now and confirm.
  4. Your Surface Pro will restart automatically.

Keep in mind that this will remove all saved WiFi networks, so you will need to reconnect to your networks afterward.

Step 6: Change Power Management Settings

Windows sometimes turns off network adapters to save power, which can cause WiFi to stop working.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Network adapters.
  3. Right-click your WiFi adapter and choose Properties.
  4. Go to the Power Management tab.
  5. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
  6. Click OK and restart your device.

Disabling this option ensures that your WiFi adapter remains active and stable during use.

Step 7: Use Command Prompt to Reset TCP/IP and DNS

Resetting network protocols can solve connectivity problems caused by corrupted network stacks.

  1. Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

After running these commands, restart your computer. These commands reset important network components and clear DNS cache, which can resolve many connection issues.

Alternative Method: Use the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit

Microsoft offers a specialized tool called the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit that can automatically diagnose and fix common Surface device problems, including WiFi issues.

You can download it from the official Microsoft website. Running this tool provides a guided process to identify hardware or software problems.

FAQs

Why is my Surface Pro not detecting any WiFi networks?

This can be caused by the WiFi adapter being disabled, Airplane Mode being on, or driver issues. Check these basic settings first, then try restarting the adapter or updating drivers.

How do I know if it’s a hardware problem?

If none of the software troubleshooting steps work, it might be a hardware issue. Running the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit or contacting Microsoft Support can help confirm this.

Will resetting network settings delete my files?

No, resetting network settings only removes saved WiFi networks and resets network configurations. Your personal files remain intact.

Can a Windows update cause WiFi problems?

Sometimes, updates can cause temporary issues. Updating drivers or rolling back recent updates can help fix this.

How do I prevent WiFi from disconnecting randomly?

Try disabling power management for the WiFi adapter, updating drivers, and ensuring your router firmware is up to date.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the steps above and your Surface Pro still cannot connect to WiFi, consider these final options:

  • Contact Microsoft Support: They can provide specialized assistance and guide you through hardware diagnostics.
  • Visit a Repair Center: If your device is under warranty, authorized repair centers can check for hardware faults.
  • Check for Windows Updates: Sometimes, Microsoft releases fixes in updates that resolve connectivity issues.
  • Use an Ethernet Adapter: As a temporary workaround, you can connect your Surface Pro to the internet via a USB Ethernet adapter.

Official Microsoft Support page: https://support.microsoft.com/surface

Conclusion

WiFi problems on the Surface Pro running Windows 10 can usually be fixed with simple troubleshooting steps. Starting with basic checks like Airplane Mode and restarting your device, moving through driver updates and network resets, you can systematically resolve most issues.

Understanding why each step is important helps you maintain a stable connection and avoid future problems. If all else fails, Microsoft’s support tools and services are available to assist you.

By following this complete guide, you should be able to get your Surface Pro back online quickly and efficiently.

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