Replaced HDD with SSD and now no WiFi Hardware Recognized

[BigD_NC]

Hello, I posted another thread that I had marked "solved" so I'm opening a new thread because I'm not sure if solved threads get traction.

Long story short I upgraded my memory and replaced my HDD with an SSD.  I was able to successfully to install Windows 10 on the new drive.  The new issue is that I get the message that I'm not connected to the internet.  I ran the troubleshooter and got the message that Windows could not find a properly installed network adapter.

I went into device manager to see what drivers I needed and the only entries under Network Adapters are "WAN Miniport".  Is the system not recognizing the hardware?  Is it possible that I did something when messing with the board to swap out the memory?  I'm just wondering where I should look first, or if this has something to do with the changes I made.

Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The parts list for your notebook indicates that it comes with an Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168 802.11 ac 1x1 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.2 combination WLAN module.

HP PartSurfer

These would be the W10 wifi and bluetooth drivers you need for that device.

The W10 64 bit drivers would be the first ones at the top left of each webpage.

Download Windows® 10 Wi-Fi Drivers for Intel® Wireless Adapters

Download Intel® Wireless Bluetooth® for Windows® 10

If that doesn't get the wifi and bluetooth to work, unfortunately I wouldn't know what the problem could be other than hardware related.

Make sure that the wifi antennas are connected to the wifi card in case you dislodged them inadvertently.

[BigD_NC]

Thanks for the response.  I installed the drivers but am still getting the same message (Windows could not find a properly installed network adapter) so I believe this to be hardware related.

At this point I'm just wondering what I should be looking for inside the laptop.  I didn't fully remove the system board to swap out the memory so I'm just wondering if it's possible there's a loose connection or something as I moved the board.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The wifi card is in a M.2 slot and is fastened down by a screw, so I doubt that it was bumped loose.

It probably isn't disconnected antenna wires either.  Even if the antenna wires were disconnected, the wifi card would still show up in the device manager.

Before you open up the notebook, try a hard reset and see if that gets the wifi card to show up.

Follow the guidance under the 'Reset a laptop with a sealed or non-removable battery' section.

HP Notebook PCs - How to Power Reset your Laptop​ | HP® Customer Support

[BigD_NC]

Hello, I performed the hard reset and there is no change.  Device manager is still not recognizing a WiFi Card.

One other item is that when I was in changing the HDD and memory I used compressed air to blow out the dust.  A google search of a similar issue showed someone who did the same and needed to "reseat" the wifi card.  Do you think this could be a possibility?

I only ask because I don't want to remove and reinstall the system board multiple times and risk doing damage to something.

Thanks again!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Sorry the hard reset didn't work.

I would definitely recommend removing and reseating the wifi card at this point.

Leave the antenna wires connected if you can to facilitate an easier and quicker reinstallation.

The antenna wires and terminals on the wifi card are very delicate.

[BigD_NC]

Yes that was the issue - the wifi card needed to be reseated.  The instruction manual shows the wifi card being attached to the system board, however on my model it is attached to the frame of the computer so when I moved the board to install the RAM the wifi card came unseated and never made connection to the system board.

I am good to go...thank you!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

That is great news you were able to get the wifi to work again.