Fix No Wi-Fi Adapter Found in Ubuntu and Linux

Before you begin

Match the environmentUse this guide only for Ubuntu, Mint, Pop!_OS or a clearly compatible setup.

Protect recoveryBack up important data and save encryption or account recovery keys before changing system state.

Know when to stopMake one change at a time and stop if the result differs from what the guide describes.

Problem overview

Your system shows a “No Wi-Fi Adapter Found” message in the network settings. You cannot see or connect to any wireless networks.

Common causes

Your system is missing proprietary Broadcom or Realtek drivers.
A physical or software switch is disabling the Wi-Fi hardware.
A recent kernel update broke compatibility with your current driver.

Solution 1: Unblock Wi-Fi adapters

Sometimes the adapter is installed correctly but blocked by a software switch.

Open a terminal.
Check the status of your wireless devices:
```
rfkill list
```
If you see Soft blocked: yes next to your wireless LAN adapter, unblock it:
```
sudo rfkill unblock wifi
```
Check your network settings again to see if Wi-Fi networks appear.

Solution 2: Install Broadcom or Realtek drivers

Most missing adapter issues involve proprietary drivers that are not installed by default. Connect your phone via USB and enable USB Tethering to get temporary internet access.

Open your terminal.
Identify your exact Wi-Fi chipset:
```
lspci | grep Network
```
Update your package lists:
```
sudo apt update
```
If you have a Broadcom adapter, install the proprietary source package:
```
sudo apt install bcmwl-kernel-source
```
If you have a Realtek adapter, ensure the latest firmware is installed:
```
sudo apt install linux-firmware
```
Reboot your computer to apply the new drivers.

Expert Tip

You can also launch the Software & Updates application, navigate to the Additional Drivers tab, and select the proprietary driver from the graphical interface.

Solution 3: Roll back kernel updates

If your Wi-Fi stopped working immediately after a system update, rolling back to the previous kernel can restore functionality.

Restart your computer.
Hold down the Shift or Esc key during boot to open the GRUB menu.
Select Advanced options for Ubuntu.
Choose an older kernel version from the list and press Enter.
Once booted, check if your Wi-Fi adapter is recognized.

Confirm the result

Repeat the exact action that originally triggered the problem.

Confirm the original error or symptom is gone and no new warning has appeared.

If the guide changed a driver, service, package, or system setting, restart once and test again.

If the result is worse or unexpected, stop. Reverse only the last change using its documented restore option; if none is documented, use your backup or qualified support.

Questions about this fix

How do I install drivers without an internet connection?

You can use USB tethering from your smartphone to share your mobile data connection temporarily.

Will a kernel update break my Wi-Fi again?

Sometimes. If you use DKMS packages, the driver should rebuild automatically, but manual installations might require you to reinstall the driver.

Fix No Wi-Fi Adapter Found in Ubuntu and Linux

Before you begin

Problem overview

Common causes

Solution 1: Unblock Wi-Fi adapters

Solution 2: Install Broadcom or Realtek drivers

Solution 3: Roll back kernel updates

Confirm the result

Questions about this fix

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