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Restart and Move Closer to the Router
One common issue that frequently occurs when you cannot see your Wi-Fi network name on your Android phone is that your phone might be out of your router's range or the network's signal strength could be weak. In such cases, optimizing the connection distance becomes very important.
Turning Off and On Your Router
If the router has been in use for a long period, it might overheat resulting in network-related issues. This could also be a reason why the network name doesn't show up. You should try restarting your router to cool it down. Unplug the router from power, plug it back in after a minute or two and turn it back on. If you're using a mobile or battery-powered router, procedure slightly differs. You should remove and reinsert the battery, and power on the router after some seconds. But remember, for routers with non-removable batteries, press and hold the power button until the status light goes off. This simple action often fixes many network-related issues.
Moving Closer to the Router
Moving your Android device closer to the router can help improve signal strength making the Wi-Fi network name visible on your phone. Note that your phone must have a clear line of sight from the router. Make sure to remove any appliances, devices, or objects which could interfere or block the Wi-Fi signal. If the router is functioning correctly but the Wi-Fi network name still doesn't appear on your Android phone, you may need to use a Wi-Fi extender or Wi-Fi repeater to amplify the network's visibility and strength if you can't adjust your device or router's position.
Enabling WiFi Scan Throttling
If your phone's Wi-Fi network name isn't showing up, enabling a feature known as Wi-Fi scan throttling may be a solution. This feature, mainly available on Android devices, is designed to limit the frequency of Wi-Fi scans in the background in scenarios where the apps do not need frequent updates on the Wi-Fi network. Note that this developer feature is mainly targeted at reducing unnecessary power consumption. However, it can be utilized in solving the Wi-Fi network visibility issue as well.
Opening Phone Settings and Locating Developer Options
The first step towards enabling Wi-Fi scan throttling is through activating the Developer Options. To do this, open your Android phone's settings, then scroll down to find the System settings menu. On some Android models, you may locate the About Phone within the System settings menu. Once you find it, tap on it and locate "Build Number".
Activate Developer Options
Tap on "Build Number" seven times in quick succession. If done correctly, you should receive a pop-up message confirming that you are now a developer. In case a prompt to input your lock screen appears, use your current lock screen pin or password to authenticate. This sequence activates the Developer Options menu, which now becomes accessible from the System settings.
Enabling Wi-Fi Scan Throttling
Next, scroll down to the newly activated Developer Options and open it. Within this menu, scroll down to find "Wi-Fi scan throttling". Tap on it and ensure that it's switched on. Following these steps accurately should significantly improve the visibility of Wi-Fi networks on your Android device. Please remember, this is a somewhat advanced setting and should be changed with care.
Resetting Network Settings
If none of the aforementioned solutions work to make your Wi-Fi name visible, resetting your phone's network settings can help. Please note, performing a network settings reset will erase all previously saved Wi-Fi networks, cellular preferences, VPN configurations, and Bluetooth device connections from your device. The result of such an operation may seem drastic, but this can resolve various problems that are preventing your Android phone from connecting to Wi-Fi.
Locating Reset Network Settings Option
To reset your network settings, first open the settings on your phone. The specific path to the reset option can slightly vary due to different Android models. Generally, you need to find the "System" or "General Management" option according to your device model.
Selecting Reset Network Settings
Once you've located the System or General management option, now look for "Advanced" or a similar option. Tap on it and select "Reset options". Choose "Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth". Here, you will be prompted to confirm the reset settings action. Tap the reset settings button and confirm to start the reset network process.
After the network settings have been reset, navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi, select the network, enter its password, and try connecting to the network again. This action should fix Wi-Fi visibility issues, but if the problem persists, consider other troubleshooting steps or reach out to tech support.
Adjusting Router Settings
In some cases, the Wi-Fi network issue might be related to your router settings. Here’s how you can adjust those settings to ensure your phone can identify and connect to your Wi-Fi network.
Access Router Settings on a Different Device
To start, you will need access to your router settings, which can usually be accomplished via a web browser on a different device that’s connected to your network. This could be another smartphone, a tablet, or a computer. The specific address you need to enter into your web browser will depend on the brand and model of your router. You may need to refer to your router’s instruction manual for the correct address.
Enable SSID Broadcast
Once you have accessed your router settings, look for an option that relates to "Wireless Settings" or similar. You need to make sure that your router is set to broadcast the SSID (which is basically the name of your network). This is typically labeled "Enable SSID broadcast" or similar. If this option is turned off, your Android phone may not be able to detect the network.
Simplify Password or Disable Security
In rare cases, complex passwords or specific security settings might cause visibility issues. However, it’s important to note that modifying your password or changing your security settings should only be done as a last resort. Simplifying your password or disabling security, while it may help get your network name to appear, can compromise the safety of your network. If you decide to make these modifications, be sure to re-enable your security settings and/or utilize a strong password once the issue has been resolved.
