wifi is just gone after updating to 10 pro. no settings, no networks no adapters, absolutely no wifi

[pparres]

wifi is just gone after updating to 10 pro. no settings, no networks no adapters, absolutely no wifi anywhere. its just gone. i cant figure it out, ive tried everything i can find on the issue, but i noticed all the people that have  similar issue, always seem to be able to find their wireless network adapter in device manager.  my wifi anything just decided to not have ever existed in or on my pc like it was punishing me for upgrading to windows 10 pro. i hope someone can help, but if not, its good. ill just get a usb wifi adapter. ive attatched pics of all my computer info. if any other info is needed just let me know and ill provide it if i can.

[TheOldMan]

From the information posted, the PC is a HP TouchSmart 320-1030 and according to the spec page it came with either Windows 7 or Windows 8.  The info says it has a Realtek network controller.  Look in Device Manager for the "Network adapters" tab and click on the ">"symbol.

I suspect there to be a Realtek device with a marking indicating the driver is missing.  Right click on the device and pick "Properties", then "Details" tab.  On the "Properties" heading table, click on the down arrow and pick Hardware ID's.  Then copy the top line and post here or into a search bar for a web browser.  That will take you to the Realtek sight or I will do it for you if you post it here.

[pparres]

PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168&SUBSYS_2ACB103C&REV_06

here you go. i diid look it up like you said, i did not know you can do that, and i dont know what to do after looking it up. what i saw did mention different conneectivity issues. but nothing i looked at mentioned complette loss of wifi. (sorry for the typos, i can barely seethe font on the screen). so, if i may, what do i do next? i appreciate your knowledge andassistancewith my problem.

[pparres]

Forgot to mention, it didn't take me to the realtek site, there was actually only a few posts from people with similar issues. 

[TheOldMan]

Hmmmm.  It seems that family of network controllers does not perform well with newer Windows.  When I looked up that PC, as I mentioned it came with Windows 7 or 8.  Did this PC have Windows 10 already installed and working?  When you "updated" to Windows 10 Pro - was it a clean install or an in-place upgrade or an update.  That differentiation in facts might make a difference.

[pparres]

It came with 7. It's actually been sitting in a closet for a few years, I pulled it out about a month ago and fired it up. I was surprised it turned on, so I started playing with it, seeing what was on it. It's 12 years old. So I figured, get it running good, and I saw that I could upgrade to 10 fairly easily. So I used the tool from Microsoft to update/ upgrade? I don't think I would call that a clean install. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the wireless adapter was a broadcom 802.11 w lan b/g/n? Something. But didn't quote me on that. Soooooo, couple thoughts, is there a way, in event viewer, to find the event that caused this to happen and maybe get some info about it? There just way too much **bleep** to scroll through without some way to narrow it down. And then, different question, why can't I just get another network adapter and install it and that's that. I mean, I know I can get a USB one, but I'd be wondering what happened that caused this. The computer has never been opened so I doubt it's something like a plug accidentally unplugged somewhere. I am planning on opening it up after we figure out, (or don't figure out) this first. Maybe I should mention why, I'm not sure if it's related in any way, but the DVD drive doesn't work. It shows up everywhere it should, it's not a hidden device, it is supposedly functioning as it should, except it don't do anything at all. It's like it don't git power.   I've opened and closed it manually, put in different disks and get nothing in return, not even the sound of the drive spinning.  

[TheOldMan]

Well lets assume some things - that everything worked OK as it should with Windows 7.

Could you give some more details on "So I used the tool from Microsoft to update/ upgrade? " 

Did it progress inside of Windows or did you need the install media for Windows 10 Pro?  Did the wireless work with Windows 7 and now the wireless network is the only thing not working?  When you were in Device manager, is there anything showing as missing drivers or exclamation marks?  Tell Device Manager to scan for hidden or missing hardware.

As for the the DVD/CD drive - Windows 10 does not have the native software to read or write DVD's but CD's should work.

VLC should be able to play the DVD's and CD's.

https://www.videolan.org/vlc/  it will not write but there is free software for that, too.  If you plan on writing DVD compliant disks, I can help with that.

If you put a DVD movie in the drive and VLC does not see and play the DVD, then see this

https://thegeekpage.com/how-to-solve-dvd-cd-drive-is-not-detected-in-windows-10/

[pparres]

Everything worked fine. Wi-Fi worked fine until a couple days before my original post. Then it just wasn't there anymore. I apologize, I have the pics forgot to upload them. Wifi is the only thing I've noticed. It's been awhile since I needed an eithernet cable to plug in a PC. I was surprised I found one at home. When I upgraded to 10 pro, I did not need anything but the installation media created by the Microsoft tool. I'm not really worried bout the DVD drive, it didn't work when I brought the PC outta the closet, I found an old chess game with the computer stuff and wanted to play. It'll be fun opening this thing and seeing what's inside. **bleep**, it could be a power thing that solves both issues, that would be cool.  

[pparres]

forgott the pics again. sorry. the first one is before i checked show hidden devices, then the next is before i clicked scan for hardware changes, then the last 2 are after that.

[TheOldMan · Accepted solution]

It seems that there is no indication in Device Manager of any missing drivers, as you said.  The WiFi device does not show.  You had mentioned about replacing the WiFi module, but it is a component of the motherboard and not a plug-in.  Using a USB to WiFi adapter would be the best way to go, if you want/need the WiFi.  I see in the earlier picture postings that Bluetooth devices are missing, also.  Typically WiFi and Bluetooth are part of the same device, when on the motherboard.  The USB to WiFi adapter can be just about whatever you want and some can have Bluetooth, also.  Just make sure the WiFi portion matches whatever your router is capable of.  No need to over capacity the adapter if your router is not capable of super-fast speeds.  Here is an example of one that should fill the bill for many common routers capabilities.

https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-1300Mbps-Wireless-External-Receiver/dp/B09KKLCHZZ