How to Fix a Surface Pro Not Connecting to Wi-Fi

Check your Wi-Fi network

When facing connectivity issues on your Surface Pro, the first step is to check your Wi-Fi network. Here are a few things you can do:

Ensure that Wi-Fi is turned on: Double-check that the Wi-Fi toggle is enabled on your Surface Pro. You can do this by clicking on the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar and making sure it displays “Wi-Fi On.”
Check signal strength: Move closer to your router to see if the issue persists. Weak signal strength can lead to connection problems on your Surface Pro.
Verify network availability: Confirm that your Wi-Fi network is available and functioning correctly. You can do this by connecting another device to the same network and checking if it can access the internet.
Reset your router: Sometimes, a simple router reset can resolve connectivity issues. Unplug the power cable from your router, wait for a few seconds, and then plug it back in. Give it a few minutes to reboot and reconnect. Then, try reconnecting your Surface Pro to the Wi-Fi network.
Check for network maintenance: It’s possible that your internet service provider (ISP) is conducting maintenance in your area. Check their website or contact them to see if there are any scheduled outages or disruptions.

By checking your Wi-Fi network thoroughly, you can determine if the issue lies with the network itself or with your Surface Pro. This step is essential for troubleshooting and narrowing down the potential causes of the problem.

Restart your Surface Pro

If you’re encountering Wi-Fi connectivity issues on your Surface Pro, restarting the device can often resolve the problem. Here’s how you can do it:

Save your work: Before restarting your device, make sure to save any open files or documents to prevent data loss.
Shut down your Surface Pro: Press and hold the power button on your Surface Pro for a few seconds until the screen turns off. Alternatively, you can select the “Start” menu, click on the power icon, and choose “Shut down.”
Wait for a few seconds: Allow your Surface Pro to remain powered off for at least 10-15 seconds. This will ensure that all background processes are terminated.
Turn on your Surface Pro: Press the power button to turn on your device.

After restarting your Surface Pro, try connecting to the Wi-Fi network again. This simple action can help resolve temporary software glitches or conflicts that may have been causing the connectivity issue.

If the problem persists after restarting, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps to further resolve the Wi-Fi connectivity issue on your Surface Pro.

Disable and enable Wi-Fi on your Surface Pro

If you’re experiencing Wi-Fi connection problems on your Surface Pro, disabling and enabling the Wi-Fi function can help refresh the connection. Follow these steps to do so:

Click on the Wi-Fi icon: Locate the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar at the bottom right corner of your screen and click on it.
Disable Wi-Fi: In the Wi-Fi menu, click on the “Wi-Fi” button to toggle it off. This will disable the Wi-Fi connection on your Surface Pro.
Wait for a few seconds: Allow a few seconds for the Wi-Fi to completely disconnect and turn off.
Enable Wi-Fi: Click on the same Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar and this time, click on the “Wi-Fi” button to toggle it back on. This will enable the Wi-Fi connection on your Surface Pro.

After enabling Wi-Fi, try reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network. This process can help reset the wireless adapter and establish a fresh connection, potentially resolving any temporary connectivity issues that were present.

If the problem persists, move on to the next troubleshooting steps to further investigate and fix the Wi-Fi connection issue on your Surface Pro.

Update Wi-Fi drivers

Outdated or incompatible Wi-Fi drivers can often cause connectivity issues on your Surface Pro. To ensure that you’re using the latest drivers, follow these steps to update them:

Open Device Manager: Right-click on the “Start” button and select “Device Manager” from the menu that appears.
Expand the Network adapters section: In Device Manager, locate and click the arrow next to the “Network adapters” category to expand it.
Find the Wi-Fi adapter: Look for the Wi-Fi adapter in the list. It may be labeled as “Wireless,” “Wi-Fi,” or named after the manufacturer. Right-click on it and select “Update driver” from the context menu.
Update driver automatically: In the driver update wizard, choose the option to automatically search for updated driver software. Windows will search online for the latest driver and install it if available.
Restart your Surface Pro: After the driver update is complete, restart your device to apply the changes.

After restarting, check if the Wi-Fi connection issues on your Surface Pro have been resolved. Updating the Wi-Fi drivers ensures that your device uses the most up-to-date software, which can address compatibility issues and improve connectivity stability.

If the problem persists, continue to the next troubleshooting steps to identify and resolve the Wi-Fi connectivity issue on your Surface Pro.

Forget and reconnect to the Wi-Fi network

If you’re still facing Wi-Fi connection problems on your Surface Pro, forgetting and reconnecting to the Wi-Fi network can help establish a fresh connection and resolve any configuration issues. Here’s how to do it:

Click on the Wi-Fi icon: Locate the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar and click on it to open the Wi-Fi menu.
Click on “Network & Internet settings”: In the Wi-Fi menu, click on the “Network & Internet settings” link at the bottom.
Open Wi-Fi settings: In the Network & Internet settings window, click on “Wi-Fi” in the left-hand menu.
Manage known networks: Under Wi-Fi, click on “Manage known networks.”
Forget the Wi-Fi network: Locate the problematic Wi-Fi network in the list and click on it. Then click on the “Forget” button to remove it from the list.
Reconnect to the Wi-Fi network: Go back to the Wi-Fi menu in the taskbar, find the network you want to connect to, and click on it. Enter the network password if prompted and follow any additional steps to reconnect.

Forgetting and reconnecting to the Wi-Fi network can help fix any corrupted network settings and establish a fresh connection on your Surface Pro. After reconnecting, check if the Wi-Fi connection issue is resolved.

If the problem persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps to further troubleshoot and resolve the Wi-Fi connectivity issue on your Surface Pro.

Reset network settings on your Surface Pro

If you’re still experiencing persistent Wi-Fi connection issues on your Surface Pro, resetting the network settings can help resolve any underlying configuration problems. Here’s how to reset the network settings:

Open the Settings app: Click on the “Start” menu, then click on the gear icon to open the Settings app.
Select “Network & Internet”: In the Settings app, click on “Network & Internet” to access the network settings.
Go to “Status”: In the Network & Internet settings, select “Status” from the left-hand menu.
Click on “Network reset”: Scroll down and click on the “Network reset” link at the bottom of the Status page.
Confirm the network reset: A warning message will appear, informing you that resetting the network will remove all network adapters and reset network settings to default. Click on the “Reset now” button to proceed.
Restart your Surface Pro: After the network reset is complete, restart your device to apply the changes.

Once your Surface Pro restarts, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and check if the connectivity issue has been resolved. Resetting the network settings can help resolve any persistent configuration issues and restore the network to its default state.

If the problem persists, move on to the next troubleshooting steps to continue investigating and resolving the Wi-Fi connectivity issue on your Surface Pro.

Disable firewall or antivirus software temporarily

Sometimes, the firewall or antivirus software on your Surface Pro can interfere with the Wi-Fi connection and cause connectivity issues. Temporarily disabling these security programs can help you identify if they are the source of the problem. Here’s how to do it:

Open the Start menu and search for “Windows Security.”
Open Windows Security: Click on “Windows Security” from the search results to open the Windows Security app.
Go to Firewall & network protection: In the Windows Security app, click on “Firewall & network protection.”
Turn off the firewall: Under the Firewall & network protection settings, click on the network profile (usually “Public network” or “Domain network”) and toggle the “Microsoft Defender Firewall” button to turn it off.
Temporarily disable antivirus software: If you have third-party antivirus software installed, open its application or settings and look for an option to temporarily disable the antivirus protection. Consult the software’s documentation or support website for specific instructions.

After disabling the firewall and antivirus software, attempt to connect to your Wi-Fi network again. If the connectivity issue is resolved, it indicates that the firewall or antivirus software was blocking the connection. In such cases, you may need to modify the settings of these programs to allow the necessary network access.

Remember to re-enable your firewall and antivirus software after troubleshooting to ensure your Surface Pro remains protected against potential threats.

If disabling the firewall or antivirus software does not resolve the issue, continue to the next troubleshooting steps to further investigate the Wi-Fi connectivity issue on your Surface Pro.

Change Wi-Fi frequency band on your router

If you’re experiencing persistent Wi-Fi connection issues on your Surface Pro, changing the Wi-Fi frequency band on your router can help alleviate interference problems. Here’s how you can do it:

Access your router settings: Open a web browser on a device connected to the same network as your router and enter the router’s IP address. If you’re unsure of the IP address, refer to the router’s user manual or contact your internet service provider for assistance.
Enter login credentials: Log in to your router using the required username and password. If you haven’t changed these credentials, they can usually be found on a sticker on the router itself.
Locate the Wi-Fi settings: Once logged in, navigate to the Wi-Fi settings page. The exact location and label of this page may vary depending on your router’s manufacturer and firmware.
Select the frequency band: Look for an option to change the Wi-Fi frequency band. Most routers offer both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. If your Surface Pro supports the 5GHz band, select it for a potentially faster and less congested connection.
Save the changes: After selecting the desired frequency band, save the changes in the router’s settings. This may require clicking a “Save” or “Apply” button on the page.

Once the changes are saved, give your router a few moments to restart and apply the new settings. Then, attempt to reconnect your Surface Pro to the Wi-Fi network on the newly selected frequency band.

Changing the Wi-Fi frequency band can help mitigate interference from other devices and neighboring networks, improving the stability and performance of your Wi-Fi connection. If this troubleshooting step doesn’t resolve the issue, proceed to the next steps to continue troubleshooting the Wi-Fi connectivity problem on your Surface Pro.

Try a different Wi-Fi network

If you’re still encountering Wi-Fi connectivity issues on your Surface Pro, trying a different Wi-Fi network can help determine if the problem lies with your device or the specific network you’re currently connected to. Here’s what you can do:

Search for alternative Wi-Fi networks: Look for other available Wi-Fi networks in your vicinity. You can do this by clicking on the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar and checking the list of available networks.
Connect to a different network: Select a different Wi-Fi network from the list and try connecting to it. If you don’t have access to another Wi-Fi network at your current location, consider visiting a different place with Wi-Fi connectivity, such as a café or library.
Assess the connectivity: Once connected to the new Wi-Fi network, check if your Surface Pro successfully establishes a stable connection. Test various online activities, such as browsing the internet or streaming videos, to ensure reliable and uninterrupted connectivity.

By trying a different Wi-Fi network, you can determine if the issue is specific to your Surface Pro or if it is related to the initial network you were experiencing problems with. If your Surface Pro connects and functions properly on a different network, it suggests that the issue may be related to the previous network configuration or settings.

If the problem persists on different Wi-Fi networks, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps to further investigate and resolve the Wi-Fi connectivity issue on your Surface Pro.

Perform a network reset on your Surface Pro

If you’re still facing persistent Wi-Fi connection issues on your Surface Pro, performing a network reset can help reset network configurations and resolve any complex network-related problems. Here’s how you can do it:

Open the Settings app: Click on the “Start” menu, then click on the gear icon to open the Settings app.
Select “Network & Internet”: In the Settings app, click on “Network & Internet” to access the network settings.
Go to “Status”: In the Network & Internet settings, select “Status” from the left-hand menu.
Scroll down and click on “Network reset”: Under the Status page, click on the “Network reset” link at the bottom.
Review the warning and click on “Reset now”: A warning message will appear, informing you that resetting the network will remove all network adapters, reset network settings to default, and reinstall network adapters and drivers. Read the warning carefully, then click on the “Reset now” button to proceed with the network reset.
Enter administrator credentials (if prompted): Depending on your account settings, you may be prompted to enter administrator credentials to confirm the network reset.
Restart your Surface Pro: After the network reset is complete, restart your device to apply the changes.

After your Surface Pro restarts, you’ll need to set up your Wi-Fi connection again. Enter the necessary details, such as the Wi-Fi network name and password, to reconnect to your desired network.

A network reset can resolve complex network-related issues and restore network settings to their default state. It’s important to note that performing a network reset will remove any customized network configurations, so you may need to reconfigure any specific network settings or preferences you had previously set.

If the Wi-Fi connectivity issue persists after performing a network reset, move on to the next troubleshooting steps to further investigate and fix the issue on your Surface Pro.