F12 WiFi button stays orange and no WiFi networks are recognized for connection

[WifiProblems1]

A few months ago my laptop would connect to WiFi, the F12 button would be white, and my WiFi connection would last for 2-5 minutes immediately after logging in on my laptop. Then it would disconnect and the f12 button would be orange. It would not change back to white no matter how many times I pressed it and I would be unable to connect back to the internet unless I physically closed my laptop and opened it back up. After opening my laptop and logging back in to my workspace, I would be connected to the internet momentarily and then I was disconnected again as above.

Now whenever I open my laptop it never even initially connects to the internet - the F12 button is orange and I cannot get it to change to white.

I think the problem is something is overriding my ability to turn F12 on and off because it seems permanently locked in off and blocking me from any WiFi.

My network adaptor is up to date and enabled (I checked) and I have Reset Network. Neither fixed the problem. 

Please help because without WiFi my laptop is basically useless despite the fact everything else works fine.

[Echo_Lake]

@WifiProblems1
Thank you for posting on the HP Support Community.

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help, however, to provide an accurate resolution, I need a few more details:

• Did this happen after a recent window or software update?
• Have you made any hardware/software changes?
• Did you make any changes to the settings of your PC prior to the issue?

While you respond to that, let's try these steps:

Hard Reset: Follow steps from the link: https://hp.care/2GnkMa8. (do not skip any troubleshooting steps even if you feel steps are repeating)

BIOS default: 

1. Turn off the computer and wait five seconds.
2. Press the Power button to start the computer and repeatedly press the F10 key to enter the BIOS setup menu.
3. On the BIOS Setup screen, press F9 to select and load the BIOS Setup Default settings.
4. Press F10 to Save and Exit.
5. Use the arrow keys to select Yes, then press Enter when asked Exit Saving Changes?
6. Follow the prompts to restart your computer. If the issue persists, follow the next steps.

Uninstall a Network Adapter Driver in Windows 10:

1. Click the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen, and type Device Manager into the Search bar.
2. The Device Manager should appear. ...
3. Right-click the network adapter, and click Uninstall.
4. The program will confirm the uninstall.

Most notebook computers have a button or keyboard key to turn the wireless signal on and off. Check the button or key status to confirm if the wireless signal is on.

1. Locate the wireless key or button. This could be an image of an airplane or a wireless signal.

Button or key

Description

A standalone button with an airplane. This enables or disables “airplane mode” and turns off wireless and Bluetooth on the device.

F12 key with an airplane. This enables or disables “airplane mode” and turns off wireless and Bluetooth on the device.

F12 key with wireless icon and LED. This enables or disables "wireless mode." The LED illuminates in white or blue if active, and amber if wireless is turned off.

A standalone wireless button. This is typically located above or near the keyboard.

1. Press the button once, wait 10 seconds, and then observe any changes to the wireless connection icon in the notification area and to the LED light on the wireless button or key.
   • If the button or key does not have a light, hover your mouse over the wireless connection icon in the notification area of the taskbar to see the current connection status.
   • If the wireless signal is turned on, try connecting to the Internet again.
   • If the wireless signal is turned off, press the button or key again to turn it back on, and then try connecting to the Internet again.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[WifiProblems1]

@echo_lake

I cannot remember if it initially happened after installing a windows updated but there have been a few windows updates since the problem started. I have not made hardware/software changes. I did not make changes to the settings of the PC before the problem started. 

I did the hard reset and it did not fix the WiFi problem.

I am unable to access BIOS when restarting. I tried four times; three times with repeatedly pressing f10 and once holding f10 down which produced a loud, prolonged beep. Is there another way I can load the BIOS setup default settings? 

I uninstalled the network adapter. When I press f12, the LED light is unchanged from orange and I have no WiFi networks available. Am I supposed to reinstall the network adapter (if so, how do I do that)?

[Echo_Lake]

@WifiProblems1
Thank you for posting back.

Let's try this way to Uninstall a Network Adapter Driver in Windows 10:

1. Click the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen, and type Device Manager into the Search bar.
2. The Device Manager should appear. ...
3. Right-click the network adapter, and click Uninstall.
4. The program will confirm the uninstall.
5. Follow the prompts to restart your computer to reinstall the wifi driver.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[WifiProblems1]

I was finally able to access BIOS pressing esc + f9. Used f10 and f9 to follow the steps from your first message and my internet has been back and stayed connected since.

THANK YOU!!!

[Echo_Lake]

@WifiProblems1

Thank you for posting back. 

Glad to hear that the issue is resolved. If you need any help, feel free to reach out to us.

Have a great day! Stay safe

[WifiProblems1]

After using my laptop twice today, I could only connect to the Internet if I restarted the laptop and went through the BIOS set up that you mentioned. After 45 minutes both times, my WiFi was randomly disconnected, f10 was unable to be changed from orange and I was unable to see any available networks to connect to. 

Please advise.

[Echo_Lake]

@WifiProblems1

Thank you for posting back.

Use the following steps to open the Component Tests menu.

1. Hold the power button for at least five seconds to turn off the computer.
2. Turn on the computer and immediately press Esc repeatedly, about once every second. When the menu appears, press the F2 key.
3. On the main menu, click Component Tests.
4. The Component Tests menu displays.
5. Wireless Module Test - This test checks that the BIOS detects the wireless module and that it is enabled.

To run the test, click Wireless Module, and then click Run once.

• The Wireless Module Test takes 30 seconds to complete.

If the test passes, try these steps:

Reinstall the network adapter using HP Recovery Manager (Windows 8, 10)

Reinstall original software or drivers using the HP Recovery Manager. If your PC does not locate the Recovery Manager installed, click the ‘next step’ button below.

1. In Windows, search for and open HP Recovery Manager. If prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. If prompted by User Account Control to allow the program to make changes to the computer, click Yes.
2. Under Help, click Reinstall drivers and/or applications and wait for Recovery Manager to generate a list.
3. From the combined list of applications and drivers, with the drivers listed first, select the checkbox next to the drivers you want to reinstall. NOTE: The name of the adapter varies, depending on which one is installed on your PC.
4. When the Installation is completed message displays, click OK.
5. Close all open applications, restart your computer, then try connecting to the Internet again.

Set BIOS default and restart:

1. Restart your notebook.
2. During startup, press F10 repeatedly until the BIOS menu is displayed.
3. Once the BIOS menu is displayed, press F9 to restore factory defaults.
4. Select Yes to confirm.
5. Press F10 to save changes and exit.
6. Select Yes to confirm.
7. The computer restarts using the default settings.

After your computer has restarted once in Windows test your wireless connectivity. Try connecting to the Internet again.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.