Quick answer
If your Nighthawk is powered on but no Wi-Fi network appears, first check for a Wi-Fi on/off button, then restart the modem and router in order. If that doesn’t help, connect a computer by Ethernet and make sure the wireless radios are enabled. Reset the router only if those steps fail, since a reset erases your settings.
Which symptom matches yours
- Router is on, no Wi-Fi at all: start with the Wi-Fi button and radio settings.
- One band missing (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz): go to the section on a single missing band.
- Wi-Fi vanished after a firmware update: see the firmware section.
- Wi-Fi is visible but won’t connect: this is a different problem. Our broader guide on a Netgear router not showing Wi-Fi covers the wider range of causes.
Check the Wi-Fi button or app toggle
Many Nighthawk models have a Wi-Fi on/off button, and on some models the Wi-Fi light acts as the button. Press it, wait a minute and look again. If you set up the router with the Nighthawk app, you may also be able to check the wireless setting there.
Power cycle in order
- Unplug the modem and the router. Wait at least 30 seconds, and a minute or two is fine.
- Plug in the modem first and let it fully start, which can take a couple of minutes.
- Plug in the router and wait a couple of minutes.
- Turn on your devices and check for the network.
Test with an Ethernet cable
Plug a computer into a LAN port on the router. If the computer gets internet over the cable but nothing shows over Wi-Fi, the router is working and the wireless side is the issue. If the Ethernet connection fails too, the router may have a wider fault, or the modem may not be providing internet. Note that wired internet issues are separate from Wi-Fi visibility.
Check that both radios are enabled
With the computer on Ethernet, open a browser and go to routerlogin.net. Some setups use 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Sign in and open the wireless settings. Menu names vary by model and firmware, so you may need to look around. Confirm:
- The wireless radio is enabled for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (some models also have a 6 GHz band).
- The SSID broadcast option is on.
- Settings such as a wireless schedule are not turning the radios off (see how to set a timer or schedule on your Wi-Fi router). Not every model has this feature.
Save, then wait a minute for the changes to apply.
Only one band is missing
If you see the 5 GHz network but not 2.4 GHz, or the reverse, check that band’s radio setting. Also check whether SmartConnect is turned on. With it enabled, both bands can share a single network name, so you will not see two names. Some older devices only support 2.4 GHz, so a missing 2.4 GHz network can matter more for smart plugs, cameras and similar gadgets (see how to connect a Wi-Fi camera to your router).
After a firmware update
If the Wi-Fi vanished right after an update, restart the router once more and recheck the wireless settings, as an update may change them. If the problem remains, a factory reset and a fresh setup is a common next step; see how to factory reset a Netgear Nighthawk and no internet after resetting your router. Look on Netgear’s support site for known issues with your model’s firmware.
Factory reset
This erases your custom settings, including your network name and password. Write them down first if you can, and expect to set the router up again.
- With the router on, press and hold the recessed Reset button with a paperclip for around 7 to 10 seconds, until the power light blinks.
- Release and wait for it to restart.
- Connect by Ethernet or use the default network name on the router label, then set it up again.
When to consider replacing it
If Wi-Fi does not return after a reset, or the router keeps losing Wi-Fi, the wireless hardware may be failing. Check whether the router is still under warranty and contact Netgear support. For an older model, a replacement may make more sense.
FAQ
My router is on, but the Wi-Fi isn’t showing up. What can I do?
Check the Wi-Fi button, restart the modem and router in order, then confirm the radios are enabled in the settings page over Ethernet.
Why is Wi-Fi not being detected?
The radio may be off, the device may have Wi-Fi disabled, or you may be too far away. Try several devices.
Why is my Netgear Ethernet not working?
Try a different cable and LAN port, restart the router and modem, and test another device. See Netgear router not recognizing an Ethernet cable for more steps. If wired internet fails everywhere, the modem or internet service may be the cause.
Is Netgear having problems right now?
Your local Wi-Fi does not depend on a Netgear online service, so an outage is an unlikely cause. Check Netgear’s support pages for any known issues.