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

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?

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

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.

“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!