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If your phone’s Wi-Fi list is empty, first check that Wi-Fi is on and Airplane Mode is off, then move closer to the router and see whether another device can find the same network. That comparison helps narrow the cause to the phone, the network, or a single hidden or restricted network.
First, check whether all networks are missing or just one
Open the phone’s Wi-Fi settings and look at the available-network list. If it is blank, start with the phone’s connection settings and signal range. If nearby networks appear but one expected name does not, investigate that network’s visibility or access settings.
Menu names vary by phone model and software version. On many phones, Wi-Fi settings are available from the Settings app or by opening the quick settings panel.
Try these checks when no networks appear
- Turn Wi-Fi on and Airplane Mode off. If both settings already look correct, switch Wi-Fi off and back on. Google and Apple both recommend checking these controls; Google also suggests toggling Airplane Mode as part of troubleshooting. Google’s Android Wi-Fi troubleshooting steps and Apple’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guidance explain the checks.
- Move closer to the router. A weak or absent signal can keep the network from appearing reliably. Stand near the router and give the network list time to refresh. Google recommends moving closer when the signal is weak or unavailable. Google’s Android guidance
- Restart the phone. After it turns back on, reopen Wi-Fi settings and check the list again. Google recommends restarting the phone as a troubleshooting step. Google’s Android guidance
- Check another device. Ask whether another phone or computer can see the same network in the same location. If it can, focus on the affected phone. If no device can see it, focus on the router or network settings, or contact the person who manages the network. Google Pixel support recommends comparing with another device to help distinguish a phone issue from a network issue. Google Pixel connectivity troubleshooting
If only one Wi-Fi network is missing
It may be hidden or access-restricted
A network name (SSID) can be hidden, or its settings may restrict which devices can join. Apple notes that a network may not appear because settings block unauthorized devices or because the network does not meet Apple’s recommendations. Apple’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guidance
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If you are authorized to use a hidden network and have its exact name and security details, you can add it manually on Android. The route and wording vary by version, but look in Wi-Fi settings for an option such as Add network. Enter the SSID and security information supplied by the network owner; choose the hidden-network option if prompted. Android’s instructions describe manual network entry. Google’s Android Wi-Fi instructions
Confirm the network details with its administrator
For a workplace, school, hotel, or other managed network, ask the administrator to confirm the network name, whether it is hidden, and which devices or security settings are supported. Do not guess the SSID or security type; incorrect details will not connect the phone.
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If other devices cannot see the network
For a home network, check that the router is powered on and operating, then follow its manufacturer’s instructions to restart it. Also consider whether the phone is within range, whether router firmware is current, and whether the network configuration is compatible with the phone. Apple recommends checking router power, range, firmware, and compatibility. Apple’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guidance Google likewise advises using the router manual for a restart. Google’s Android Wi-Fi troubleshooting steps
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When the problem needs a different kind of help
A network missing from the list is different from a phone that connects to Wi-Fi but cannot reach the internet. Google Pixel support treats connection-without-internet as a separate troubleshooting issue. Google Pixel connectivity troubleshooting If your phone shows the network name and connects, troubleshoot the internet connection instead of network discovery.
If Wi-Fi controls are unavailable, or the list remains empty after checking settings, range, restarting, and comparing another device, contact the phone maker or network administrator. These symptoms alone do not prove that the phone has a hardware fault.
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