Is your CenturyLink WiFi not showing up and you’re not sure why? Can’t find a good tutorial that will teach you a complete procedure on how you can solve it?
Today’s your lucky day, because, in this guide, we’ll be discussing everything you need to know about it!
Not only are we going to give you the root cause for you to avoid it, but we’ll also outline the complete measures on how you can put an end to it indefinitely!
If you find that your CenturyLink WiFi is not working or is not showing up, first double-check if the modem/gateway or router is activated. Then, check your device to see if WiFi is enabled on the device, and perform a factory reset of the CenturyLink gateway or router.
In order to understand how to resolve this problem, it’s important to know and determine the causes of why your WiFi is not appearing or showing.
Reasons Why CenturyLink WiFi is Not Showing Up
There are a handful of reasons why your CenturyLink WiFi is not being detected by your device. Some of the most customary reasons include:
- Problem with the modem/gateway or router
- WiFi is not configured in the device
- The network is hidden
- Drivers are missing, not up-to-date, or corrupt
Determining what the real reason is, would be difficult. In fact, it will be almost impossible to cut to the root cause due to the fact that there are many different factors at play.
Therefore, in addressing this dilemma, it will be best to approach it in a sense where all factors will be checked and inspected.
So, what to do if my CenturyLink WiFi isn’t working? What can I do if it fails to load up or show up on my laptop or computer?
How to Fix CenturyLink WiFi Not Showing Up
In this guide, you can expect the problem or the dilemma to be removed even without purchasing any type of special equipment.
Moreover, you don’t need to have the best technical know-how to do it!
Step #1: Ensure That the Modem/Gateway or Router is Turned On
First things first, are you sure that the modem/gateway or the router is turned on?
Most of the gateways and routers today won’t have bright lights to show that they’re activated. So, be sure to check if it’s turned on.
What you can do is detach the cables or the connections and plug them back into their respective ports to be sure that they’re connected properly.
Step #2: Power Cycle the Gateway/Modem or Router
Then, proceed to power cycle the device. This step is much like the first step, but it’ll be a more comprehensive process.
To perform a power cycle or a reboot, follow these steps:
- Go to the modem or router and locate the AC power cord
- Unplug the cord from the device
- Wait it out for 30 seconds to a full minute
- Plug the power cord back in again
- Wait for up to three (3) minutes for the device to reinitialize
NOTE: Even if your device has a power button, it will be better to do it by unplugging the power cord.
Why? – Because this method drains power from the device completely, whereas pressing the power button might leave an electrical current inside.
Step #3: Check if the WiFi Network is Hidden
You might have done it unintentionally or you could have done it to keep your privacy more secure.
Here’s how to check if the CenturyLink WiFi network is hidden from plain sight:
- On your PC or laptop, go to Network/Network Connections or Internet
- Choose WiFi or WiFi Network
- Then, go to Manage Known Networks or Add WiFi Networks
- Enter the SSID or the Dedicated Name of the Network
- Select WPA or WPA2 depending on the security
- Wait for the WiFi to show up
If it shows up and it’s not included in the list of available networks, it is hidden.
Step #4: Ensure That the WiFi is Configured on the Device
The next step is to make sure that WiFi is enabled on the device you’re using.
Checking this will vary from one operating system to another, but you’ll usually be able to find it in Settings/Control Panel/System Preferences.
For Windows
- Open Control Panel > Network
- From there, select Device Manager
- Right-click Wireless Adapter and choose the option that says Properties
- Click Enable and follow all the guided prompts.
For macOS
- Open System Preferences > Network
- In the list of options, choose WiFi
- Tick the checkbox of the option that says Show WiFi Status in the menu bar
- From there, you’ll see whether or not WiFi is enabled
Step #5: Update the WiFi Driver of the Device
Another culprit could be the fact that the WiFi driver of your laptop/PC is not up-to-date.
Although they’re programmed to update on their own, there are instances where they don’t. Therefore, it’s important to check if the WiFi driver is updated.
To do this, search for Device Manager and select Network Adapters. Right-click it and choose Properties. Among the list of options in properties, select Driver > Update Driver.
Your system should automatically look for updated drivers and it should update automatically.
NOTE: You can also set it to update automatically in the future, so you don’t have to worry about it again!
Step #6: Factory Reset the Gateway/Modem
Lastly, perform a factory reset of the modem or the router. These devices wouldn’t have an easy-access button for resets – they’ll usually be buried to avoid accidental resets.
So, here’s how you can factory reset your modem/gateway or your router:
- Locate the reset button on the device.
- Then, find a paperclip or a SIM card pin to reach the button.
- Press and hold the reset button for at least 20 seconds or until the lights go off.
Once you’re done with all these steps, you should be able to detect the CenturyLink WiFi! With that, you’ll have the chance to access it, connect to it, and overall, use it to connect to the internet!
It’s Still Not Showing Up (Not Working), What Should I Do?
Why is my CenturyLink WiFi still not working even after I did the process? If it happens that the WiFi network is still not being shown or if it’s still not working, what you want to do is contact CenturyLink.
Try to ask if there’s an ongoing system outage or maintenance because you’re unable to use your WiFi properly.
Moreover, let them know about the steps and the processes you’ve accomplished so they know what steps and further troubleshooting methods to give you.
Read Next: How to Remove Device from CenturyLink Router?
When your CenturyLink WiFi is not showing up, ensure that the device is turned on. Then, make sure that your laptop or PC has WiFi enabled and that its drivers are updated. Perform a factory reset of the modem/router to finalize the process.
Final Verdict
Many people think that when their CenturyLink WiFi is not showing up, it’s already because the modem or gateway is faulty. But that’s not always what the case is.
Sometimes, the problem is with the device that you’re trying to use to connect to it.
With this guide, you won’t need any other tutorials online! You can easily solve the problem even if you’re not tech-savvy!
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.