Find a Missing Wi-Fi Network

If your network has vanished from the Wi-Fi list, the cause is usually simple: the router is off, you’re too far away, or the network name is hidden.

Work through these checks in order.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Check that your router is powered on and its Wi-Fi light is lit. If the Wi-Fi light is off, press the router’s Wi-Fi/WPS button if it has one.
2. Move closer to the router and refresh your device’s Wi-Fi list.
3. Restart your router, wait for it to fully power up, then scan again — it can take 2–3 minutes to reappear.
4. On a phone, try turning the device’s Wi-Fi off and on, or restarting the device, to force a fresh scan.
5. If the network is still missing but works on other devices, the network name (SSID) may be hidden — add it manually using the name and password from your router’s sticker or settings.

Helpful tips

• Neighbour networks showing up but not yours is a strong sign your router is off or restarting.
• A quick 30-second power cycle of the router fixes a surprisingly large share of “missing network” cases.
• If the network never comes back, the router may need a reset — see our router-reset guide.