Solved: WiFi Icon Missing From System tray Windows 10 Laptop

The WiFi icon on the taskbar System tray makes it easier to connect to the Wireless networks. However, times you may experience wifi icon missing from system tray and all you have to do is restart Windows to get back WiFi & Internet connection Back. Users report, WiFi icon disappeared from the taskbar after the recent Windows 10 Update. Basically, If the wireless icon or network icon is missing from Windows Taskbar then it’s possible that the network service might not be running, 3rd party application is conflicting with system tray notifications. Again, sometimes outdated or incompatible wifi driver is the reason why wifi symbol not showing Windows 10. This article explores step-by-step instructions to help you restore the WiFi icon in the system tray of your Windows 10 computer.

WiFi Icon Missing From Taskbar In Windows 10

With default settings, the network or wifi icon should always remain visible on the taskbar system tray and indicate the status of your network connection on your Laptop or PC. However, there may be times WiFi icon goes missing from the system tray due to a temporary glitch or error in the operating system. Again, Problems with the network adapter or its drivers can lead to the disappearance of the WiFi icon. Misconfigured settings related to the taskbar, Corrupted system files or third-party Software Interference also cause wifi icon missing in Windows 10. Whatever the reason, here’s how to restore the Wi-Fi icon when it’s missing from the system tray.

Restart Windows File Explorer

First open Task Manager using ctrl + Shift + Esc, right-click on Windows Explorer and select restart. Now check if the missing wifi icon is back in the taskbar.

Also, click on the upward-facing arrow on the taskbar (system tray) to check if the Wifi icon is hidden there. If the network or wireless icon is appearing there, simply drag and drop it to the taskbar area.

How to add wifi icon in Taskbar

Next, you need to check and turn on the Network or wireless icon in Settings to get back the missing wireless icon on the Taskbar.

• Press Windows + I to open Windows Settings,
• Go to Personalization, From the left-hand menu select Taskbar.
• Scroll down to the bottom then under the Notification area click on “Turn system icons on or off.“

• Here make sure Network or Wireless is set to enabled. 

Again go back and now click on  “Select which icons appear on the taskbar.“ Make sure the Network or Wireless is set to enable.

If you are using Windows 7 or 8.1, try the following below.

• Right-click the Windows button (Start Menu), and select Properties.
• In the Properties dialog box, click the Notification Area tab.
• In the Systems Icons area, ensure that the Network checkbox is selected.
• Click Apply, then Ok.

Restart Network Services

Press Windows Key + R then type services.msc and hit Enter. Here on the Windows services console, look for the services below, check and make sure they are running state. If not, then right-click on each service and select Start.

• Remote procedure call
• Network Connections
• Plug and Play
• Remote Access Connection Manager
• Telephony

Once you have started all the services, again check if the WiFi icon is back or not.

Use Group Policy Editor to Fix Missing Wi-Fi Icon issue

Also, Users recommend Tweak Group policy editor helps them to get back the missing WiFi icon to the system tray.

Note: The group policy option is only available for Windows Pro and Enterprise users,

• Open group policy editor using gpedit.msc,
• Navigate to User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar.
• Find Remove the network icon > double click  >change the Settings from Enabled to Not Configured or Disabled.
• Save changes.

If you are Windows 10 Home Basic user then you can tweak the registry editor to get back the disappeared Network icon to the system tray.

• Type regedit on start menu search and hit enter to open the Windows registry editor.
• First backup the registry database, then navigate to:
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Network
• locate the Config key, then right-click on it and select Delete. 
• Restart your PC to take effect the changes.

Update/Reinstall WiFi Adapter Driver

If the problem (Wi-Fi Icon Missing from the system tray) started after a recent Windows upgrade. There is a chance the WiFi Adapter driver is corrupted, or incompatible with the current Windows version. You must try to update or reinstall the latest available WiFi driver on your system to get back the missing WiFi Icon or restore the Internet connection on Windows 1.

• Press Windows Key + R then type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter to open Device Manager.
• Expand Network Adapters then right-click on your wireless adapter and select uninstall.
• Reboot your PC to completely uninstall the driver and on the next login open Device Manager.
• Check whether Windows automatically install the WiFi adapter driver or not.
• If not then click on Action Scan for hardware changes And check whether the issue is resolved or not.

If still problem not resolved, Visit the device manufacturer (Laptop manufacturer HP, Dell, ASUS, Lenovo Etc) website download and install the latest available WiFi driver for your Device. This will mostly fix the problem if the WiFi driver causes the issue, the network icon disappeared from the taskbar.

Run Network Adapter Troubleshooter

Again running the Windows troubleshooting tools can help you resolve various system issues. Let’s run the troubleshooter for the Network adapter that diagnoses and helps bring back your missing Wi-Fi icon.

• Type troubleshoot in the start menu search and press enter key.
• Click on the Additional troubleshooter link and look for Network Adapter.
• Finally, click on Run the Troubleshooter option to find and fix problems with Wireless and network adapter configuration-related problems.

• After completing, the troubleshooting process restart Windows and check Windows get back the WiFi icon to your Laptop system tray.

Repair Windows files using sfc

It may be due to system file corruption the wifi icon missing on the system tray. Run the System File Checker (SFC), is a built-in troubleshooting tool that can help you resolve various system issues. And in some cases, it could bring back the missing wifi icon on Windows 10.

• Press the Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
• Now type the command sfc /scannow and press enter key to scan for corrupted

• system files and replace them with the correct ones.
• Let the scanning complete 100%, once done, reboot your PC.

Did these solutions help to Get back the missing WiFi icon to the system tray on Windows 10 Laptop? Let us know which option works for you.