Weird Win 10 problem: Can't open list of available networks

Factual Questions
1

I have a weird problem with Windows 10 (my hardware won’t handle Win 11 so I can’t update; my plan is to use the current machine until Win 10 support ceases and then get a new one). When I go to the Network & Internet settings and click “Show available networks”, a grey window pops up with rotating throbbers but no text. After a few seconds, this window disappers. That’s it. I also tried other routes to open the same setting, to no avail. So my problem is not that the computer won’t recognise networks; it’s that I can’t even get the app to connect to a network starting.

I can connect just fine by plugging in an ethernet cable - this is automatically recognised, and the system is online. But I’d also like to set up a wifi connection, which I suppose I’d have to do via the settings that won’t open.

Would anybody have an idea what’s going on here? My guess it’s an OS problem?

2

What about clicking on “Change adapter options” or “Network and Sharing Center”?

3

Are you sure your computer has wifi capability? Not all desktops do.

My current PC is also a Windows 10 machine which can’t be updated to Win 11, and it did not come equipped with wifi (or bluetooth) capability, but it was easy enough to add by buying a USB adapter.

4

“Network and Sharing Center”

This did the job - it gave me an interface where I could manually insert the credentials for my wifi, and it’s connected now. I still can’t open the other menu that I planned to use for that, but at least the connection works now. Thanks!