Your BIOS settings may be the problem. Check the instructions that came with your computer to access your BIOS. When you are in BIOS, check to make sure onboard USB ports are turned on to elimiinate the possibility of disabled USB ports. If they are turned on, or if this does not fix the problem, then your drivers for the USB Wireless may be the issue. Make sure your USB Wireless supports your operating system and then install the correct drivers. Check the Windows Device Manager to see if an unknown device was detected. That would most likely be the USB Wirelss. Right click the device and click Properties to see what the device status is. Or, you may have a defective USB Wireless. Only assume this after you have tried the above methods.