0

On the windows 10 taskbar, the Network connection icon has 3 options, or "buttons": Wifi, Aeroplane Mode and Mobile hotspot.

However, on my windows 10 laptop, today somehow the options for WiFi and mobile hotspot are not appearing: only the option for Airplane mode appears. As a result, I am not able to find the list of available networks and connect to the internet.

Further, upon opening the "network and internet " option in system settings, I observed something: Normally, windows 10 has 8 options to choose from:

Status,Wifi,Ethernet, Dial-up,VPN,airplane mode, Hotspot and proxy: However, in my case, only 6 options are present. The options for Wifi and Ethernet are NOT there.

Further things I have tried , on advice of a friend who knows how to deal with this stuff:

  1. Typed ipconfig on the cmd prompt, it gave me "Media state.....:media disconnected'. This apparently means the wifi is disabled.
  2. Went to control panel->network and internet->change adapter settings. Now, I have seen videos online of similar problems , and in most videos I see that here one finds their wifi network with the "disabled" status, and we simply right click and change it to enable. However, in my case, the wifi network is not appearing. It just shows one option: bluetooth network connection.
  3. Went to device manager-->network adapters. My wifi adapter still wasnt listed. It just showed a bluetooth PAN and a bunch of WANs.

Then, clicked on view hidden networks, and then, finally I found my adapter. The device status read " Currently, the device is not connected to the computer. To fix this problem, reconnect the hardware device on the computer."

My friend thinks that this pinpoints the problem: the laptop thinks that the wifi card has been removed.

I tried to update the drivers. Still, nothing changed. As a last straw, my friend suggested uninstalling the device and then hopefully upon rebooting, the adapter would be detected and automatically reinstalled.

However, upon rebooting now my adapter doesn't get listed even in the hidden networks list.

Now my friend thinks the only option is to change the wifi card somehow.

Is his analysis correct? Is there really no option other than going after the hardware?

This problem first started today, when due to a power outage the router turned off and naturally the laptop got disconnected from the internet. However, as the router was back on, all my other devices are connected properly to the Wifi, but this strange problem has appeared on my laptop.

Laptop: lenovo ideapad s-145. Wifi card: Realtek 8822CE.

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
0

I tried to update the drivers. Still, nothing changed. .... uninstalling the device ..... However, upon rebooting now my adapter doesn't get listed even in the hidden networks list.

Open Device Manager and expand the Network section. See if the Wireless Card is showing and if so if it has a red x beside it.

Based on what you have posted, it appears the wireless card has a problem and needs to be replaced. Try a USB wireless card.

enter image description here

Improve this answer
5
  • I didnt get any such option..
    – satan 29
    May 20, 2021 at 12:02
  • If you opened Device Manager from Control Panel (everyone has this) and no card, then it is defective.
    – John
    May 20, 2021 at 12:45
  • Do you have your card working or have you determined that it is dead.?
    – John
    May 21, 2021 at 1:45
  • I think from your last comment it seems that the card is defective..
    – satan 29
    May 21, 2021 at 5:35
  • In that case you may wish to acknowledge my answer (mark it as answer).
    – John
    May 21, 2021 at 11:06
0

Did you check to see if the wife adapter was not switched off? Most laptop have a phsicaly switch or key combonation "FN" + "F(x)" x being a number 1-0. The function keys have small pictures in them. The one you are looking for looks like a little Wifi icon. Try toggling the "F(x)" key with the "FN" key held down. The "FN" is at the lower left of the keyboard

Improve this answer
2
  • This is useful but none of my F keys on my laptop have a wifi icon...
    – satan 29
    May 21, 2021 at 5:34
  • There might be a switch along one side of the unit. Its been awhile, but if you are still needing help on this, look for a toggle switch of some kind if there is no Fn key with a wireless icon.
    – trinsic
    Jun 1, 2021 at 23:54

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .