Technology & Development: Terms Governing Use of the Linux Knowledge Website Technology & Development: 8 Simple Steps to Create a Disk Partition in Linux Technology & Development: Install Facebook Messenger on Ubuntu in 12 Easy Steps Technology & Development: How to Install Proton for Steam on Linux in 15 Easy Steps Technology & Development: How to Delete Multiple Redis Keys: 4 Effective Ways Technology & Development: How to Detach a Tmux Session: 4 Methods Technology & Development: How to Install Outlook on Ubuntu in 7 Easy Steps Technology & Development: How to Create a Linux User Home Directory in 10 Easy Steps
Terminal Craft Journal Author
Published: July 22, 2026
Read: 9 min
In: Technology & Development

Written by

Reviewed by

Last updated: July 24, 2024

Expert verified

SVG Image

TL;DR

To fix the “Ubuntu No Wi-Fi Adapter Found” error, try these solutions:

  1. Update Wi-Fi drivers with the sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade command.
  2. Check the Wi-Fi adapter status by running the sudo lshw -C network command.
  3. Reset the network manager with the sudo service network-manager restart command.
  4. Upgrade Ubuntu by executing the sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade command.
  5. Reinstall the network manager with the sudo apt-get remove network-manager and sudo apt-get install network-manager commands.
  6. Reinstall the adapter driver with sudo apt-get remove bcmwl-kernel-source and sudo apt-get install bcmwl-kernel-source commands.
  7. Install additional drivers using Ubuntu Software & Updates app and restart the system with sudo reboot command.

Read the article below to learn more about how to fix the “Ubuntu No Wi-Fi Adapter Found” error.

Dealing with the “No Wi-Fi Adapter Found” error on your Ubuntu computer can be a real problem, especially when you need internet access. Fortunately, there are solutions. This post will guide you through simple steps to fix this error and tips to prevent it from happening again. You’ll learn how to update drivers, check your Wi-Fi adapter status, reset the Network Manager, and more. By the end, you’ll have your Wi-Fi up and running smoothly.

What Does the “No Wi-Fi Adapter Found” Error Mean?

When you see the “No Wi-Fi Adapter Found” error on your Ubuntu computer, it means that your system can’t detect your Wi-Fi hardware. This problem can happen for several reasons:

  1. Driver Issues: Your computer might not have the correct software (called drivers) to communicate with the Wi-Fi adapter.
  2. Hardware Problems: The Wi-Fi adapter itself might be faulty or not properly connected.
  3. Software Settings: Sometimes, the system settings might disable the Wi-Fi adapter, causing it to go unnoticed.
  4. Kernel Problems: The core part of your operating system, called the kernel, might not support your Wi-Fi adapter.

In simple terms, your Ubuntu system isn’t seeing the Wi-Fi hardware that allows it to connect to wireless networks. This is why you can’t find or connect to any Wi-Fi networks.

How to “Ubuntu No Wi-Fi Adapter Found” Error

To fix the “Ubuntu No Wi-Fi Adapter Found” error, update your Wi-Fi drivers, check the adapter status using terminal commands, reset the Network Manager, upgrade Ubuntu to the latest version, reinstall the Network Manager, reinstall the Wi-Fi adapter driver, and install any additional drivers available. By following these steps, you can resolve the error and get your Wi-Fi working again.

Here’s the step-by-step guide for each of these methods:

1. Update Wi-Fi Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause conflicts with the Wi-Fi adapter, resulting in connectivity issues. In such cases, you may end up seeing the “Ubuntu No Wi-Fi Adapter Found” error on your Linux system.  To resolve this issue, you should follow these steps to update your Wi-Fi drivers:

  1. Navigate to the Terminal app via Ubuntu Dash.
navigate to the terminal app via ubuntu dash
  1. Type and execute the following command in the Terminal window:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
  1. Enter your password when prompted, and wait for the update process to complete.
type command sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade
  1. Restart your computer using the simple Ubuntu Restart option or the Linux command line sudo reboot in the Terminal window.
restart computer by using simple ubuntu restart

2. Check Wi-Fi Adapter Status

Checking the Wi-Fi adapter status can help determine if there’s an issue with the adapter or its driver, which can help in diagnosing the “Ubuntu No Wi-Fi Adapter Found” error. Here’s how you can check the Wi-Fi adapter status on your Linux-based system:

  1. In the Linux command prompt, type the following command.

sudo lshw -C network
  1. Look for the line that says the logical name, configuration, and driver attribute. Make sure it says driver=iwlwifi (or the appropriate driver for your adapter).
look for line logical name configuration and driver attribute
  1. If the driver is not listed or you don’t see any Wi-Fi network details (just like in the above output), you may need to reconnect the Wi-Fi adapter and install its relevant drivers. To do so, use the following command line to install the Wi-Fi adapter driver: