The MSI B550 Tomahawk is a much-loved motherboard. It’s powerful, sleek, and packed with features. But if you’ve booted your PC only to find your WiFi missing in action, don’t panic. Fixing your WiFi issues can often be quick and painless—even a little fun!
TLDR:
If your WiFi isn’t working on the MSI B550 Tomahawk, first check if you even have the right model—some versions don’t include WiFi! Then, ensure your drivers are up to date, the antennas are connected, and your system BIOS is current. If that still doesn’t work, there are more tricks in the bag below. Scroll on!
1. Wait—Does Your B550 Tomahawk Even Have WiFi?
This might sound silly, but it’s the number one confusion point. The MSI B550 Tomahawk comes in two main versions:
- B550 Tomahawk — No built-in WiFi.
- B550 Tomahawk WiFi — Built-in WiFi support.
Yes, they look nearly identical! Double-check your box or motherboard model to be sure. If your version doesn’t have built-in WiFi, you’ll need to use a PCIe WiFi card or USB WiFi adapter instead.
2. Attach the Antennas—Seriously
Don’t forget the WiFi antennas that came in the motherboard box. These are not optional—they’re crucial for signal reception. No antennas, no quality signal, and maybe even no connection at all.
They screw into ports on the back I/O panel of the motherboard. That may seem simple, but many users leave them in the box… oops.
3. Install the Right WiFi Drivers
So you’ve got the wireless version, antennas attached—but Windows says “No Internet”? This happens when the drivers aren’t installed.
Good news—MSI has the drivers ready for you!
- Go to the MSI official support page.
- Select the exact model of your board.
- Click on the “Drivers & Downloads” section.
- Download the latest LAN and WLAN drivers.
- Install them and restart your PC.
Now try connecting to your WiFi again. Nine times out of ten, this solves the issue!
4. Update the BIOS
If you’re still stuck, a BIOS update could save the day. Sometimes older UEFi BIOS versions have bugs that mess with WiFi compatibility or stability.
But don’t worry; it’s not as scary as it sounds. Here’s a mini checklist:
- Download the latest BIOS from MSI’s website.
- Extract it to a USB flash drive (formatted in FAT32).
- Reboot your PC and enter BIOS (usually by pressing DEL on startup).
- Use the built-in M-Flash tool to update the BIOS.
Pro tip: Make sure not to shut off your PC during the update. It only takes a few minutes.
5. Double-Check Device Manager
Still no WiFi option? Let’s take a look under the hood with Device Manager.
- Press Win + X and choose “Device Manager”.
- Look under “Network adapters”.
- You should see a wireless device like “Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200” or similar.
If it’s not there, your system isn’t detecting the WiFi module. That could mean a loose connection (if it’s an M.2 card) or a faulty board.
But before we hit panic mode, try these tricks:
- Go to BIOS and look under advanced settings for WiFi—make sure it’s enabled.
- Right-click in Device Manager and choose “Scan for hardware changes”.
- If your WiFi shows up but has a “warning” sign, click it and try updating the driver manually.
6. Try a Different Operating System
Wait… what? Yup. Boot into a Linux live USB (like Ubuntu) and see if the WiFi works there.
If it does, your motherboard’s WiFi hardware is fine—it’s just a Windows-related issue like missing drivers or software conflicts. If it doesn’t work in Linux either, the problem might be physical.
7. Physical Inspection Time (Last Resort)
If all else fails, it’s time to peek inside your case.
The MSI B550 Tomahawk WiFi has a built-in wireless chip, usually connected to an M.2 slot. You’ll want to:
- Shut down your PC and unplug it.
- Open the case and locate the small WiFi module (mounted near the I/O ports).
- Check if it’s firmly connected to the M.2 slot.
- Ensure the tiny antenna cables are properly attached—these are easy to knock loose.
If something looks off, carefully reconnect it. If it seems damaged, it may need replacing. Some users have replaced it with another compatible M.2 WiFi + Bluetooth card.
8. Bonus Round: Bluetooth Not Working Either?
The MSI B550 Tomahawk WiFi module also handles Bluetooth. So if your WiFi and Bluetooth are both missing, it’s very likely a driver issue or hardware failure.
Install the Bluetooth drivers from MSI’s website. Or, try this quick Bluetooth reset:
- Uninstall the Bluetooth driver in Device Manager.
- Reboot your PC. Windows might install a fresh one automatically.
- If not, reinstall it manually from the MSI support site.
9. Contact MSI Support
You’ve tried everything. The drivers, the BIOS, even Linux—and still nothing? Time to bring in the pros.
MSI support can help diagnose whether your motherboard needs repair or replacement. Have your serial number and purchase receipt ready for a smoother process.
Plus, their forums can be super helpful. Other users may have had exactly the same problem—and their fix might be one reply away.
Quick Recap: Fixes for MSI B550 Tomahawk WiFi Issues
- Make sure you have the WiFi version of the board
- Attach those WiFi antennas—don’t leave them in the box!
- Install or update your WiFi and Bluetooth drivers
- Update the BIOS if needed
- Check Device Manager and BIOS settings
- Use a Linux USB to rule out software problems
- Inspect physical WiFi module and antenna cables
- Reach out to MSI support if all else fails
We hope your motherboard goes from WiFi-less to wirelessly wonderful in no time. Happy gaming, streaming, and browsing!
