Wireless network adapter no longer exists in device manager

[rmarney]

I have a HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop 690-0808no. The specs say the wireless device is "802.11a/b/g/n/ac (1x1) and Bluetooth® 4.2 combo". Last night the wireless was working, today it is not. I cannot find the device in Device Manager, even if I enable Hidden Devices. I can only find "Microsoft WiFi Direct Virtual Adapter" and "Bluetooth Device", both of which report they are not currently connected to the computer. I have tried to Shutdown/startup, Restart, and reset BIOS to default but nothing seems to make it visible. Any ideas? And is the wireless adapter built into the motherboard or is it a separate device?

[BeemerBiker]

This system came with windows 10 home and I do not see any drivers for windows 11

Please boot into your BIOS and see if the following information is revealed

Rom SSID 8438,  Version F.47 (May 9, 2022)

If you have SSID 8438 and your BIOS version is older you MIGHT consider a bios upgrade.  All upgrades are dangerous.

When in bios look under configuration or devices and make sure network and Wi-Fi are enabled.

You can try the following window 10 Wi-Fi driver

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp100501-101000/sp100552.exe

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @rmarney 

The parts list for your PC indicates that it comes with a Realtek RTL8821CE wifi adapter.

The Wi-Fi adapter is a removable M.2 card lying flat on the motherboard and it will have one very thin antenna wire going to it.

Watch this video and see if any of the steps in it gets the Wi-Fi adapter to show up again.

It is most likely a software issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVJYiqonTjA 

Below is the link to the latest W10/W11 driver for that model adapter.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp140001-140500/sp140207.exe 

[rmarney]

Hi Beemer,

Thanks for the reply. I think you meant the BIOS version by ROM SSID? Anyway, that seems to be 843B, vf40.7 from March 2019. I was thinking about maybe upgrading the BIOS when I booted the machine in the evening, and to my surprise the wifi appeared and began working perfectly again! Despite many reboots in the morning which had had no effect. It wasn't the wifi network because my laptop and many mobile units had no problem with it.

So I think I have a hardware issue. I will try opening the box (it is out of support anyway) and reseating the wireless card. Hopefully that will help.

Much obliged for your help, anyway.

[rmarney]

Hi Paul,

I had a surprise last night, when I booted the machine and the wifi began working again. I had booted the machine at least 10 times in the morning with no effect. So I think I have a hardware issue. I think I will try to reseat the card, hoping it is just loose (though the 'very thin antenna wire' is a bit scary).

Much thanks for your help, anyway

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

Unfortunately, your options are limited to upgrade that card because of the single antenna configuration, but they do sell Wi-Fi AX desktop kits where you use the Wi-Fi card's M.2 slot for the replacement card and run two antenna wires to external antennas.

Amazon.com: AX210 WiFi 6E Card M.2 NGFF Mini Desktop kit Adapter Newest 6GHz BT5.2 Wireless 802.11ax...