Getting your PC online should exist straightforward, simply without the correct hardware a Wi-Fi connection is impossible. While a desktop calculator can connect to Wi-Fi, if it doesn't have a Wi-Fi card installed, you'll need to add Wi-Fi support to the PC.

Here's everything you demand to know about connecting a PC to Wi-Fi and how to make a desktop figurer wireless if it isn't already.

How to Connect Computer Your to Wi-Fi

Tin can a desktop computer connect to Wi-Fi? Yes it can---with the right hardware. If you're unable to connect your PC to your local network with an Ethernet cable, Wi-Fi is the alternative. While slower than Ethernet, Wi-Fi is getting faster all the time and is sufficient for video streaming, online gaming, and downloading.

If your computer has suitable wireless networking hardware installed, you tin connect to a local wireless network.

How to Connect Windows to Wi-Fi

To connect a Windows desktop to Wi-Fi:

  1. Click the Notification area or printing WINDOWS + A
  2. Click Network
  3. Enable Wi-Fi
  4. Wait while the nearby networks are polled and listed
  5. Select the network y'all wish to connect to
  6. Input the password when prompted

Your connection should at present be complete. Be sure to connect only to secured networks. If this is non possible, or y'all're uncertain of the network'south level of security, using a VPN is recommended.

Connect Linux PC to Wi-Fi

To connect a Linux desktop to a Wi-Fi network:

  1. Find the Wi-Fi icon in the console
  2. Right-click and select your network
  3. Input the password when prompted

This tin likewise be done in the last. Start by checking the SSID (network name) of the network you lot wish to connect to:

          sudo iwlist wlan0 browse

Next, open wpa_supplicant.conf.

          sudo nano /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

Edit the file to add together the SSID and associated Countersign.

          ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1
country=US
network={
ssid="SSID"
psk="Countersign"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
}

Press CTRL+10 to save and exit, then Y to confirm. Shortly afterward, the wireless network should be detected and the computer continued.

If yous're having difficulty connecting to your wireless network, learn how to boost the Wi-Fi signal from your router.

Using a Mac? Check our guide to solving Wi-Fi problems on macOS.

No Wi-Fi? How to Add together a Wireless Adapter to Your PC

If you nevertheless can't connect to any wireless network, information technology's a skilful idea to confirm that your device drivers are fully updated. Exercise this past running a standard organization update and checking the results. Hardware without drivers will be highlighted.

What if your desktop computer doesn't take the right hardware installed? If a cabled (Ethernet) connection isn't an choice, you'll demand a wireless adapter for your desktop PC. You have 3 options here:

  • Connect a USB Wi-Fi dongle
  • Install a Wi-Fi card
  • Use a motherboard with on-board Wi-Fi

Below we'll look at all 3 of these options in turn.

one. Connect a USB Wi-Fi Dongle

The easiest way to go your computer connected to a wireless network is with a USB Wi-Fi adapter for desktops.

These low-cost dongles are small and like shooting fish in a barrel to use. Simply insert the dongle into your computer's USB port, install the drivers, and reboot. With the computer up and running again, the dongle should detect local wireless networks. All you need to practise is follow the instructions above to connect to the network of your selection.

Many such USB Wi-Fi dongles are available. The TP-Link USB WiFi Adapter is a good starting bespeak.

ii. How to Install a Wi-Fi Card in a PC

Short on USB ports, or need a more than permanent solution? While you could add a USB hub to your PC, y'all might prefer the option of installing a wireless networking card in your PC. This involves shutting downwards your PC, opening the case, identifying the advisable slot, buying a suitable card, and inserting information technology.

Ii types of internal Wi-Fi cards can be installed on current motherboards: PCI, and g.2.

How to Install a PCI-e Wi-Fi Card

Aside from USB, the about common way to add wireless networking to a desktop PC is with a PCI-e (PCI Express, an upgrade of the legacy PCI interface) bill of fare. This is a rectangular printed circuit board (PCB) ordinarily with a detachable antenna. Several versions of PCI-e are in use, but near Wi-Fi cards use PCI-e x1. This is the smallest PCI-eastward port.

To identify the slot for a PCI-e bill of fare to add Wi-Fi to your desktop, open the case. A PCI-east x1 carte slot should expect like this:

PCI-e x1 slot
Image Credit: Hans Haase/Wikipedia

To insert a suitable menu:

  1. Remove the expansion port plate on the dorsum of the case
  2. Insert the card, lining upwardly the notch with the PCI-e slot on the motherboard
  3. Secure the PCI-east Wi-Fi card by screwing information technology to the case
  4. Attach the antenna and replace the embrace on the PC case
  5. Boot your computer and install the device drivers

Demand a PCI-e Wi-Fi card? The TP-Link AC1200 is a proficient option.

How to Install an 1000.2 Wi-Fi Menu

Modern motherboards feature an M.2 slot for Wi-Fi (every bit well as ane for additional storage). If your figurer'south motherboard has an M.2 slot, it probably already has a Wi-Fi bill of fare inserted, which may or may not be defective.

Exist certain not to misfile an Grand.2 slot with MiniPCI, MiniPCI Limited, or mSATA. All of these have been used in the past for Wi-Fi bill of fare interfaces, but M.ii is the interface currently in use.

mSATA vs m.2 connector
Prototype Credit: smial/Wikipedia

M.2 cards are simple to install. There is a bound-loaded mechanism inside the slot, while a screw hole in the motherboard allows you to secure the card. Merely:

  1. Insert the card firmly at 45 degrees
  2. Button the card towards the motherboard
  3. Secure the card with a screw
  4. Attach the antenna (if included)
  5. Replace the cover on your PC
  6. Kicking the reckoner and install the drivers

Looking for an M.two uniform motherboard Wi-Fi card? Consider the OKN WiFi 6 AX200.

3. Utilize a Motherboard With On-board Wi-Fi

The final solution to add Wi-Fi to your desktop is to switch to a motherboard with on-board wireless networking. However, this is an extreme solution which involves stripping out your entire PC and finding a uniform motherboard. In most circumstances, other hardware will also need to exist upgraded, such as the CPU and RAM, and possibly the GPU.

All in all, this is an expensive solution---it's far easier to install a USB, PCI, or M.2 Wi-Fi card.

At present You Can Connect Your PC to Wi-Fi

By this stage you should accept all the data you demand to connect your figurer to a Wi-Fi network. The smartest solution to getting online quickly is a USB dongle, but yous might prefer the more than the permanent option of an internal PCI-e or M.2 card.

Any the solution, you'll also exist able to easily connect to whatsoever local network once wireless networking is added to your desktop. Even so running into issues? Consider how you've positioned your Wi-Fi router.

Prototype Credit: Alienware/Unsplash

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About The Author

Christian Cawley (1583 Articles Published)

Deputy Editor for Security, Linux, DIY, Programming, and Tech Explained, and Really Useful Podcast producer, with all-encompassing experience in desktop and software support. A correspondent to Linux Format magazine, Christian is a Raspberry Pi tinkerer, Lego lover and retro gaming fan.

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