Wifi will not switch on/wireless not working

Question

For some reason, the Wifi is not switching on at all, and Bluetooth is also unable to connect. At the moment, only Ethernet works. It seems like wireless is completely gone and I don't know why. I cleaned out some TMP or "Temp" files that I didn't need anymore, but I don't know why doing that would mess anything up.

Images of what I mean:

What I've tried to do to fix this:

• Reset all network settings
• Uninstall and Reinstall INT Drive
• Reset all INT networks using the CMD Panel
• Manually scanning for changes in the Device Manager
• Loading previous drive versions
• Seeing if any drives need updates
• Adding a new Local Profile Account and seeing if Wifi worked (it didn't)

I use Realtech and Intel drives.

Answer 1

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

May I please know the make and model of your device?
Type msinfo in the search bar on the taskbar and click enter.

Post a screenshot of the resulting dialog box.

Meanwhile, I recommend you trying a few troubleshooting steps and see if it resolves the issue.

Method 1.

Enable Internal Network Adapter Boot in BIOS.

Open BIOS on your PC.

Find setting related to Network boot or On-board Wi-Fi module control and set it to Enabled.

Once done, save the configuration and click exit.

Method 2.

Perform a hard shutdown.

Turn off your device.

Unplug all the external peripherals connected to your laptop such as Keyboard, Printer, including your AC adapter.

Once disconnected, press and hold the power button on your laptop for 30 secs or more and then release it.

Plug in the AC adapter and turn on your computer.

See if you can connect to your Wi-Fi network.

Method 3.

Perform a System Restore.

Click Windows + R key, type rstrui.exe and click ok.

Click next and select the date/time you would like to restore your computer.

Once the system restore is complete, see if you can connect to your Wi-Fi network.

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Answer 2

If your Wi-Fi is not switching on and Bluetooth is also unable to connect, it could be due to several reasons. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow:

1. Check Airplane Mode: Ensure that Airplane Mode is not enabled on your device, as this can disable all wireless communications.
2. Restart WLAN AutoConfig Service: Sometimes, restarting the WLAN AutoConfig service can help. You can do this by typing services.msc in the Run dialog (Windows + R), finding WLAN AutoConfig, and restarting it.
3. Update or Roll Back Drivers: Since you mentioned using Realtek and Intel drivers, make sure they are up to date. If the issue started after a driver update, consider rolling back to a previous version.
4. Network Reset: You mentioned resetting network settings, which is a good step. If you haven't already, you can also try a full network reset through Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset.
5. Check Device Manager: In Device Manager, check if the Wi-Fi adapter is disabled. Right-click on the adapter and select "Enable" if it's disabled.
6. Run Network Troubleshooter: Windows has a built-in network troubleshooter that can help identify and fix issues. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Network Adapter.
7. Check for Windows Updates: Ensure that your Windows is fully updated, as updates can fix bugs and improve hardware compatibility.
8. BIOS Settings: Sometimes, wireless functionality can be disabled in the BIOS. Restart your computer and enter BIOS settings to check if the wireless adapter is enabled.

If none of these steps work, it may be worth checking for hardware issues or considering a professional diagnosis.

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References:

• Troubleshooting a WIFI connection that fails to establish
• Advanced troubleshooting wireless network connectivity