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How to Connect a Desktop to Wi-Fi Without an Adapter

All you need is a smartphone and USB cable

By Jon Martindale Jon Martindale Writer Jon Martindale has been a feature tech writer for more than 10 years. He's written for publications such as Digital Trends, KitGuru, and ITProPortal. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 5, 2021 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Home Networking Wi-Fi & Wireless The Wireless Connection Routers & Firewalls Network Hubs ISP Broadband Ethernet Installing & Upgrading

What to Know

Plug your phone into your PC using a USB cable and set up USB tethering.On Android: Settings > Network and Internet > Hotspot & Tethering and toggle on Tethering.On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot and toggle on Personal Hotspot. This guide will walk you through connecting your desktop to your local Wi-Fi network without the need for a wireless adapter or dongle.

How Do You Connect a Desktop Computer to Wi-Fi

Most desktop computers come with a built-in Ethernet port for connecting to your local network and the internet via an Ethernet cable, but not all with Wi-Fi connectivity pre-installed. You can use a Wi-Fi adapter, of course, but you can also connect a desktop to Wi-Fi without an adapter. The easiest way to do it is using your smartphone's built-in USB Tethering. For our screenshots below, we'll use Android, but we'll include the steps needed for an iPhone. Make sure your PC and smartphone are running the latest versions of their respective operating systems. Ensure your smartphone is connected to your chosen Wi-Fi network. Connect your smartphone to your PC via a USB cable. It may be Micro-USB or USB-C if you're using an Android device or a lightning cable if it's an iPhone. If your smartphone asks, give the PC permission to access it. Open your phone's Settings menu. On Android, navigate to Network and Internet > Hotspot & Tethering and toggle on Tethering. On iPhone, navigate to Cellular > Personal Hotspot and toggle on Personal Hotspot. Your PC should have connected to your local Wi-Fi network via your smartphone. You can confirm its active network connection by selecting the Taskbar Icon arrow in the bottom right of your screen, then select the network icon. It will appear as a rectangular screen—not a Wi-Fi symbol, as the computer is technically connected to Wi-Fi over a wire). Select the Network you're connected to (in our screenshot, Network 5) to go to the Network and Sharing Center. There you'll see your newly connected network as being Connected. If it says No Internet, confirm that your smartphone is on the Wi-Fi network. If it is, but you still don't have internet, follow router troubleshooting steps to get yourself back online.

How do I Connect My Old Desktop to Wi-Fi Using Internet Sharing

If you have an older laptop with an Ethernet connection, there is another method you can use for connecting your desktop PC to Wi-Fi: Internet Sharing. You'll need to connect your laptop to your chosen Wi-Fi connection, then connect it to your desktop PC using an Ethernet cable. When ready, follow these steps on how to share your internet connection.

Can a PC Connect to Wi-Fi Without Ethernet

Ethernet is a wired connection, so if you want to connect to a wireless Wi-Fi network, you don't need Ethernet at all. The best way to connect to your Wi-Fi network is by using a Wi-Fi adapter. Some desktop PCs and most laptops have them built-in, but there are add-in ones you can buy. They are relatively affordable and offer the best speeds without being limited by battery life. Alternatively, you can use a smartphone and USB tether it as in the instructions above, but you'll need the correct USB cable, and you won't be able to unplug your smartphone if you want to retain that Wi-Fi connection on your PC.

How Can you Connect a Desktop PC Without Internal WLAN to a Wireless Network

If your desktop PC doesn't have a built-in Wi-Fi adapter, then your best bet is to add one yourself. They are affordable and easy to install and offer the best wireless performance. Alternatively, you can use USB tethering to connect your smartphone to get you on the Wi-Fi network relatively quickly. The only downside is that you must leave your smartphone plugged in to take advantage of it. FAQ How do I connect to Wi-Fi on a Windows 7 desktop? To connect a wireless network in Windows 7, go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center. Select Connect to a network, choose your wireless network from the list, and select Connect Automatically > Connect. If prompted, enter the network password. How do I connect a Dell desktop to Wi-Fi? To access Wi-Fi on your Dell desktop, your computer must have a wireless network adapter built-in, or you'll need to connect an external Wi-Fi adapter. To connect to your wireless network, go to the Windows taskbar and select the wireless network icon. Next, choose your Wi-Fi network > Connect > enter your network password, and follow any additional prompts. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Set up USB Tethering on Windows 10 What to Do When Windows 11 Can't Connect to a Network How to Connect an Apple TV to Wi-Fi Without a Remote Can My iPad Use My iPhone's Data Connection? How to Fix It When a Tablet Won’t Connect to a Mobile Hotspot How to Tether Your Smartphone with PdaNet+ How to Connect Chromecast to Hotel Wi-Fi How to Connect Your PC to Your Mobile Hotspot How to Connect a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to a PC How to Share Your Internet Connection on a Mac via Wi-Fi How to Set up USB Tethering on Windows 11 How to Use Chromecast Without Wi-Fi How to Connect a Router to the Internet How to Fix it When Chromebook Won't Connect to Wi-Fi How to Connect Steam Deck to a PC How to Connect an iPad to a TV Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies