Broadcom Wireless stopped working after Windows Updates

[Nuno]

Yes, the problem is intermitent (it is related to Windows Updates) but every single time I've applied the described solution, I have my wireless back.

[HPAREUSELESS]

YES only for it to return lol

my problem is this>why wont HP accept they have a problem in the first place!

[tidus080920]

Hi people,

Just wanna add something to all of your problem, this is the last options to solve your problem ragarding broadcom wireless adapter.

if you have tried all the trouble shooting steps and did not fix the issue last option you have is run the hp system recovery solution.

there's 2 way to run it for vista,

1. first, when you turn on or restart your laptop immediately keep pressing on F11 if you see your laptop is restarting then you will be able to go inside recovery manager. just follow on screen instruction, first onscreen instruction will be running the microsoft system restore, just select no..then go on to the system recovery. or select the advanced option and select system recovery

2. if your already inside your desktop screen just click start and on the start search type in recovery, and select recovery manager from the list, and then run it.

3. make sure that you did not upgrade or downgrade your operating system to be able to run system recovery, because the partition D: will be corrupted and will not run the recovery manager.

4.Last make sure you back up all your files before running system recovery because it will return your laptop to it's factory configuration like it's brand new.

   and if you run the system recovery don't interrupt it just follow the onscreen instruction. and after system recovery is finished and your able to boot again to your desktop and manage to connect to the internet make sure you download the latest bios updates and wireless driver from hp.com

5. For laptops running on XP just follow step 1

And another last option is here, i posted the link for the limited enhancement program of hp. just click on the link below and look if your laptop is listed

make sure that your serial number starts on 7 or 8 after the letter, the ussual serial number of hp  start with the 2CE,CND or CNF and then the number like cnf785865xqc and look also for your product number, you can find your serial and product number at the bottom of your laptop on the white sticker that says p/n and s/n.

and if your laptop is listed just call hp and the service will be for free. and last piece of advice, before calling hp make sure that broadcom or atheros is not detected in the device manager, because if your wireless is detected then your laptop will not be eligible for service.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01480071&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_US...

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01087277&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_US...

hope this will help you all people.

[devin44]

This is a common problem!!  I have read hundreds of posts about this because it happened to me and I was searching for a solution for a long time.  I read much complaining and no solutions.  One of the posts said it might be a conflict from windows updating.  I went to uninstall programs and found 2 windows updates that were installed in September which was right about when I lost my wireless.  I uninstalled the two updates.   They both have .net in the name of the update.  After I uninstalled those updates, my wireless appeared again and everything was fine.  Also I made sure that windows no longer did automatic updates. 

[they_wont_HelP]

bull**bleep**! it doesnt work.............................  http://www.youtube.com/user/HPAREUSELESS           

[Del]

Yes, and if HP don't like what you post they delete your responses, even if it is benign.  They should understand that there are customers here who are a spending a considerable amont of time and money to try and fix this, in the absence of any useful assistance from themselves.  It really adds insult to injury to see that they see fit to insult the intelligence of technically competent users (some of whom appear to have more knowledge and experience than those manning their technical helpdesks) by attempting to remove posts which provide a wealth of information and experience which could potentially assist in arriving at a solution.

I am left totally dissillusioned with HP's response to date.

[Antrikshy]

If there is anyone referring to this solved problem, then I say that no one here is suggesting the correct fix.

After contacting HP, I came to the solution that you must start the computer in Safe Mode with Networking and then install the drivers for the WLAN. After the reboot, everything must work properly.

The technician said that the new drivers were not getting saved to the computer after the install, and it should be just fine in Safe Mode.

For more support and personal attention, you can have a free active chat (no video, no mic) directly from the browser and solve your problem at http://www.hp.com/go/ispe

Good luck.

[Lindatcat]

I have a compaq presario F700.  I have the same problem as everyone else.  I updated my BIOS, reinstalled the WLAN drivers, ran a system recovery that restored everything to factory defaults.  I tried running in safe mode with networking, unintalling the WLAN and then reinstalling.  On reboot still no WLAN.  I don't know what else I can try.  I'm out of warranty and HP tells me it's hardware and I must pay $398 for repair.  Not worth it.  Beware buying from HP/Compaq.  This is apparently a known issue and they refuse to ackowledge it.  Anyone have any other ideas?  I'm ready to try anything at this point.  Linda

[darr12]

Same problem here, ran wndows updates and lost my wireless, I have a Pavillion dv9417ca. Removed the updates and still no wireless wth all Broadcom drivers missing and hardware missing from device manager. I know the broadcom card is working becaue I removed it and installed it in another hp notebook and it worked fine. Sounds like it might be a motherboard problem but it is a very big coincidence that it happened just after the softwre updates occurred and the fact that all references to the drivers are missing.  Will try some of the solutions suggested here and let you know how it goes.

[darr12]

Well I tried some of the things suggested here and I was successful. Here is what I did:

1. Removed all references to PCI in Device Manager, restarted and computer renstalled everything, still no Broadcom showing.

2. Removed the Cumulative Update for Windows Media Centre for Vista, restarted, still no Broadcom visible in Device Manager.

3. Removed Broadcom Driver and HP Wireless Assistant  via Control Panel > Programs and Features, restarted.

4. Reinstalled Broadcom driver and HP Wireless Assistant via Recovery Manager (just type recovery in search to find it), Restarted and finally  the illusive blue light comes back on and obviously all Broadcom references back where they were.

SO, OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM HP and MICROSOFT

I'm wondering if I had tried numbers 3 and 4 above at the beginning if I would have gotten the wireless back without removing the updates.

Anyway, still not sure which update caused the problem because I had removed other updates that I had installed also. Very weary about installing updates now.

What I may try is install one at a time to see if I can isolate which one is causing the problem... if I get time. For now I'm just glad to see my blue light and be able to get on this site.