wifi network disappears

[Alebaron]

Every now and then, I open my laptop and the wifi is not there, no icon, no network adapter, nothing, disappeared!

I wasted so much time the first time, because nobody would have a solution...

Eventually I updated the BIOS and it worked: network adapter comes back and works! BUT the bios was NOT outdated!

The problem is that this happens every 2/3 months, without a rule or warning or notification. Simply you wake up and you cannot connect to the internet! Very unnerving and frustrating!

Shouldn't the BIOS updated by itself when necessary or give you a notification?!?

There are other updates available on HP Support Assistant: are they optional or recommened?

I have the following and I don't know if I should install them or not:

Omen Gaming SDK Package

Intel High-Definition (HD) Graphics Driver

Realtek Card Reader Driver

MediaTek Bluetooth Driver

MediaTek WLAN Driver

thanks to whoever can assist.

Regards,

Alessandro

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Alebaron 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thank you for describing this so clearly—I can feel how disruptive and exhausting this recurring Wi-Fi disappearance must be. Waking up to a laptop that’s suddenly lost its network adapter, with no warning or logic, is deeply frustrating. You’ve done well to isolate BIOS as a temporary fix, but let’s dig deeper into what’s happening and how to prevent it.

Why the Wi-Fi Adapter Disappears

This kind of issue is often caused by:

• Power management settings that disable the adapter during sleep or hibernate.
• Driver instability, especially with MediaTek WLAN modules.
• Firmware conflicts, where BIOS and driver versions don’t fully align.
• Windows updates that silently reset device configurations.

Even if your BIOS isn’t outdated, reapplying it can reset low-level hardware states—hence why it temporarily resolves the issue.

Should BIOS Update Automatically?

No, BIOS updates do not install automatically via Windows Update. HP does not push BIOS updates silently unless you explicitly allow it via HP App or HP Support Assistant. You’ll only get a notification if:

• HP App is installed and actively checking.
• You’ve enabled update alerts in HP Support Assistant.

What You Can Do to Prevent Recurrence

1. Disable Power Saving for Network Adapter

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network Adapters and double-click MediaTek WLAN.
3. Go to the Power Management tab.
4. Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
5. Click OK.

 

2. Install the MediaTek WLAN Driver

Yes, this one is recommended. It directly affects your Wi-Fi stability. You can install it via HP App or manually from: HP Drivers for Your Device

Enter your product name and install the latest MediaTek WLAN Driver.

 

3. Update BIOS Again

Even if it’s not outdated, reapplying the latest version can help reset hardware states:

• Visit: HP BIOS Updates
• Enter your model and download the latest BIOS.
• Run the installer and follow prompts.

 

4. Install These Recommended Drivers

Here’s a breakdown of the updates you mentioned:

Sources: HP Support Assistant and HP Driver Portal

Let me know if you'd like help checking your current driver versions or setting up HP App to monitor updates more reliably. I’m here to help you keep your system stable and connected.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye