Resolving “No Wifi Adaptor Found” Error in Ubuntu

Struggling with the No Wifi Adapter Found error on your Ubuntu system?
This issue can be caused by missing drivers or incorrect network settings. Below, we outline two methods to resolve this error.

Prerequistie: Connect your PC to a wired connection using an Ethernet cable, or utilize USB tethering through your smartphone to ensure the PC has Internet access for the necessary troubleshooting steps that require an Internet connection.

Method 1: Fix Error Using “Software and Updates”

1. Open “Software and Updates”: Click on Activities in the top left corner of your Ubuntu desktop. Then type “Software” in the search bar and select “Software & Updates” from the search results.
2. Navigate to Additional Drivers: Once the “Software & Updates” window is open, click on the “Additional Drivers” tab. The system will automatically search for drivers and updates, including those for your WiFi adapter.

3. Check for Available Drivers: If a compatible driver is available, you will see an option to install it. Select the recommended driver for your WiFi adapter and click “Apply Changes.”

4. Restart Your Computer: After installing the drivers, restart your computer to apply the changes. Once rebooted, check if the WiFi adapter is recognized and the error “No Wifi Adapter Found” is resolved.

Method 2: Fix Error Using the Terminal

If the graphical method does not resolve the issue, you can use the terminal to manually configure your WiFi adapter and resolve the error: “No Wifi Adapter Found”.

1. Open Terminal: Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the terminal window.

2. List Network Properties: Run the following command to list your network properties and identify the product number of your WiFi adapter:

lshw -C network

Note down the product number for your WiFi adapter, as you will need it in later steps. In my case, it is 79c970, which you can see from the above screenshot!

3. Navigate to Configuration Path: Access the path /etc/pm/sleep.d/ in the terminal to locate the configuration files.

4. Create a Configuration File: Use the following command to create a new configuration file:

sudo touch config

Replace config with an appropriate name for the configuration file you created in step 3..

5. Edit the Configuration File: Open the newly created configuration file in the text editor using:

sudo gedit config

Enter the text: SUSPEND_MODULE=, and after that, enter the product number of your WiFi adapter within double quotes, following the format shown in the example below:

Replace 79c790 in the above screenshot with the appropriate product name for your adapter noted earlier in step 2.
Save the changes by clicking the Save button.

6. Restart Ubuntu: Reboot your system using the command:

sudo reboot

After rebooting, check if your error “No Wifi Adapter Found” is resolved and if you can connect to a WiFi network.

Note: In addition to the steps above, ensure that the Network options are enabled in the BIOS of your PC. Sometimes, the WiFi adapter may be disabled at the hardware level, which can prevent it from being recognized by the operating system. Access the BIOS/UEFI settings during startup (usually by pressing F2, F10, DEL, or ESC) and check that the WiFi or network options are enabled.

By following these steps, you can resolve the “No WiFi Adapter Found” error in Ubuntu. If the problem persists, consider checking for hardware issues or seeking additional support from Ubuntu forums or your WiFi adapter manufacturer.