Getting your PC online should be straightforward, but without the right hardware a Wi-Fi connection is impossible.
How to Connect Computer Your to Wi-Fi
Can a desktop computer connect to Wi-Fi?
Yes it can—with the right hardware.
If your machine has suitable wireless networking hardware installed, you could connect to a local wireless data pipe.
Be sure to connect only to secured networks.
Edit the file to add the SSID and associated PASSWORD.
Image Credit: Hans Haase/Wikipedia
PressCTRL+Xto save and exit, thenYto confirm.
Shortly after, the wireless internet should be detected and the computer connected.
Check our guide tosolving Wi-Fi problems on macOS.
No Wi-Fi?
Do this by running a standard system update and checking the results.
Hardware without drivers will be highlighted.
What if your desktop computer doesn’t have the right hardware installed?
You have three options here:
Below we’ll look at all three of these options in turn.
These low-cost dongles are small and easy to use.
Simply insert the dongle into your system’s USB port, roll out the drivers, and reboot.
With the computer up and running again, the dongle should detect local wireless networks.
All you should probably do is follow the instructions above to connect to the internet of your choice.
Many such USB Wi-Fi dongles are available.
TheTP-Link USB WiFi Adapteris a good starting point.
Two types of internal Wi-Fi cards can be installed on current motherboards: PCI, and m.2.
This is a rectangular printed circuit board (PCB) usually with a detachable antenna.
Several versions of PCI-e are in use, but most Wi-Fi cards use PCI-e x1.
This is the smallest PCI-e port.
TheTP-Link AC1200is a good option.
Modern motherboards feature an M.2 slot for Wi-Fi (as well as one for additional storage).
Be sure not to confuse an M.2 slot with MiniPCI, MiniPCI Express, or mSATA.
M.2 cards are simple to install.
Simply:
Looking for an M.2 compatible motherboard Wi-Fi card?
Consider theOKN WiFi 6 AX200.
Related:How to Install an M.2 SSD Card
3.
However, this is an extreme solution which involves stripping out your entire PC and finding a compatible motherboard.
Still running into issues?
Consider how you’ve positioned your Wi-Fi router.
