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First check whether the problem is the Wi‑Fi network or your IdeaPad Slim 3i: try connecting another device to the same network. If that device connects, Microsoft says the issue is likely with the affected PC. Then follow the branch that matches what you see—Wi‑Fi missing, no networks listed, a rejected password, or a connection without internet—before resetting Windows networking or removing a driver.
Identify what is failing
Check the Wi‑Fi icon and network list, then match your symptom to the closest case. A laptop that shows Wi‑Fi as connected but cannot open a particular site or app may have an app, website, or firewall issue rather than a Wi‑Fi connection problem, according to Microsoft’s Wi‑Fi troubleshooting guide.
- Wi‑Fi is absent from Quick Settings: Check whether Windows shows a wireless adapter in Device Manager; a missing or errored adapter needs a different path from a password problem.
- No networks appear: Check that Wi‑Fi is enabled and test another available network or router band.
- Your network appears but rejects the password: Confirm you selected the right network and re-enter its current password.
- Windows connects but there is no internet: Check whether other devices have internet access and whether the issue affects all sites and apps or only one.
Rule out the router or internet connection
- Try the same Wi‑Fi network on another phone, tablet, or computer. If that device also cannot connect, investigate the router or internet service rather than changing the IdeaPad’s drivers.
- If the router lists separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, try the other band. A successful connection there can help isolate a network- or band-specific problem.
- If the wider network appears affected, restart the modem or router according to its manufacturer’s instructions, then check again.
If another device connects to the same network, focus on the IdeaPad. That result narrows the likely source; it does not by itself identify the exact cause.
Run Windows’ checks and reconnect
Windows 11
Microsoft’s current guidance is to start with the automated Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Follow its prompts and test the connection again.
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Check the selected network and password
Lenovo’s Windows 11 connection steps are: select the Internet icon on the taskbar, open the network list, choose your Wi‑Fi network, select Connect, and enter the password if prompted. Make sure the selected network is the one you intend to use.
Windows 10
Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance covers Windows 10 as well as Windows 11. If you use Windows 10, follow the instructions for your version in Microsoft’s guide rather than assuming the Windows 11 Get Help flow or labels are identical.
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Try Windows network commands only after the basic checks
If the connection still fails, Microsoft documents these commands to reset Winsock and TCP/IP, renew the IP address, and clear the DNS cache. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run them in this order, pressing Enter after each command:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
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Restart the PC when the commands are complete, then test the connection. These changes affect Windows networking; they are not a substitute for checking whether the router or internet service is down.
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Check the adapter and choose the right Lenovo driver
Do not download a WLAN driver based only on the name “IdeaPad Slim 3i.” Lenovo says its laptops can use Wi‑Fi cards from different vendors, and driver downloads are tied to particular model families and operating systems. Identify the exact machine type or model and Windows version, then use Lenovo Support to locate the driver for that product.
In Windows, open Device Manager and inspect the network adapters for the wireless adapter, its vendor, and any error indicator. If the adapter is missing or reports an error, that information can help determine whether the next step is a matching driver or support for the device.
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Lenovo’s listings illustrate why checking the exact model matters: examples include Windows 11 64-bit WLAN packages for 14IRU9/15IRU9/16IRU9 and separate 14IRU8/15IRU8/16IRU8 listings with Intel and Realtek support. These are examples for specific families, not a universal Slim 3i installer. Use the product lookup for your exact machine and region; driver availability and supported operating systems depend on the listing.
Reinstall a driver cautiously if the problem followed an update
If Wi‑Fi stopped working after a recent Windows update, Microsoft describes uninstalling the network adapter driver and restarting so Windows can look for and install a driver again. Before uninstalling anything, identify and save the matching Lenovo driver as a backup. If Windows does not restore a working driver after restart, install that saved package.
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If the IdeaPad is offline, use another computer to download the driver that matches the exact machine and Windows version, then copy it to a USB flash drive for transfer. A flash drive only carries the installer; it does not fix the connection by itself.
When to contact Lenovo or a repair professional
Use Lenovo’s exact-product support lookup or seek qualified repair if the adapter remains absent or shows an error after you have checked the matching driver, or if the laptop fails to connect across multiple networks after the documented Windows steps. A persistent problem may need further diagnosis; these symptoms alone do not prove that a hardware part has failed.
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