By default, wireless (Wi-Fi) support is deactivated in Windows Server 2016/2019/2022 versions. When you connect a Wi-Fi network adapter (USB or PCI) to a host running Windows Server, or even if you installed Windows Server on a laptop, Wi-Fi cannot be enabled through the Control Panel.
In this brief note, I will demonstrate how to activate wireless support on Windows Server.
To enable Wi-Fi on Windows Server 2016, 2019 and 2022, manual installation of the WLAN service through Server Manager is required. This step-by-step guide outlines the process:
- Begin by logging in to your Windows server and opening Server Manager. Click Start and then Server Manager
- Once the Server Manager window is open, click on Add roles and features
- In the Before you begin page, click Next
- In the Installation Type page, choose Role-based or feature-based installation and proceed by clicking Next.
- In the Server Selection page, ensure Select a server from the server pool is selected, then choose your server from the list. Click Next to continue.
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- In the Server Roles page, make no selections and click Next.
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- In the Features page, scroll down and check the box for Wireless LAN Service, click Next to proceed.
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- In the Confirmation installation selection page, select Restart the destination server automatically if required. A confirmation box will pop up, click Yes
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- Click Install to initiate the installation of the Wireless LAN Service.
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Installation will start and your server will restart automatically.
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- After your server boot up, login to your server and the wizard will show your that installation is succeeded. Click Close
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Installation will start and your server will restart automatically.
Congratulations! The Wireless LAN Service has been successfully installed.
You can connect now to the available Wi-Fi networks from your Windows Server 2016/2019/2022
