Can't connect to home wifi; is my wifi adapter the problem?

[AWS17]

MT7921 Mediatek wifi adapter; Verizon wifi using GS1100 router. All other devices connect. I think it ight coincide with a Windows update around 6/6/24. I ran through troubleshooting and resetting multiple times, apparently no issues found. I can connect through my cel phone got shot and enterprise system at work though. What gives? 

[Nal_NR]

Hi @AWS17,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be happy to help you! 

I understand that you are having connectivity issues. 

It could be an issue with the Mediatek MT7921 Wi-Fi adapter, compatibility with your Verizon GS1100 router, or even software-related problems on your HP Pavilion Laptop PC 15-Eg1000 (43F53AV). Here are some steps to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Check Router Settings:

• Ensure your router is broadcasting the correct Wi-Fi bands (2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz).
• Check if the router’s firmware is up to date. You can usually find this option in the router’s settings menu.

2. Update Wi-Fi Adapter Drivers:

• Visit the HP support website and download the latest drivers for the Mediatek MT7921 Wi-Fi adapter.
• Alternatively, you can check for updates through the Device Manager:
  • Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
  • Expand the Network adapters section.
  • Right-click on the Mediatek MT7921 adapter and select Update driver.
  • Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.

3. Network Settings Reset:

• Reset your network settings to resolve any configuration issues:
  • Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
  • Scroll down and click on Network reset.
  • Confirm and follow the prompts to reset your network settings.

4. Check for Windows Updates:

• Ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date, as updates can sometimes resolve compatibility issues.
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  • Check for updates and install any available.

Configure Power Management Settings:

• Adjust power management settings to ensure the Wi-Fi adapter isn’t being turned off to save power:
  • In Device Manager, right-click on the Mediatek MT7921 adapter and select Properties.
  • Go to the Power Management tab.
  • Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

6. Reboot Router and Laptop:

• Restart your router by unplugging it for 10-15 seconds and then plugging it back in.
• Restart your laptop to refresh the network connections.

7. Check for Interference:

• Ensure there are no other devices causing interference, especially those operating on similar frequencies like microwaves, cordless phones, or other wireless devices.

8. Try Connecting to Another Network:

• Test your laptop’s Wi-Fi connection by connecting to another network (e.g., a mobile hotspot or a different Wi-Fi network) to determine if the issue is specific to your home network.

9. Manual Network Configuration:

• Manually configure your Wi-Fi settings:
  • Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
  • Click on Manage known networks.
  • Select your network and click Forget.
  • Reconnect to your network by manually entering the SSID and password.

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it may be best to contact HP phone support for further assistance. There could be a deeper hardware issue with the Wi-Fi adapter.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.

 Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

[AWS17]

Hi Elohi,

I followed your instructions:

1.  yes

2. yes

3.  yes

4. yes (up to date)

5. -there is no power management tab 

6. yes

7. yes- there are no interfering devices nearby

8.  I can connect to hotspots on my phone, on another laptop connected to my home wifi. I can connect at work, and I connected briefly yesterday using the WPS button near the router (then lost the connection) and briefly to a second Asus router I set up today (also lost the connection). In the latter two cases any time I tried to reconnect it would fail ("can't connect to this network"). 

9. I followed as instructed, can't connect. Finally when I tried to reconnect to my mobile hotspot I got the same message (can't connect...) but finally reconnected after a few tries.

What's next? The fact that I can connect to other networks outside of my home wifi does not make sense. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @AWS17,

I'm sending out a private message to assist you with the next course of action. In order to access your private messages, click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile Name.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571 

HP Support

[AWS17 · Accepted solution]

My problem WAS the wifi card! I would be able to connect to wifi if I was near a router but I would lose my connection if I got too far away. I got a replacement wifi card and when I was removing the old wifi card, I found that one of the antenna connectors came off of the wifi card instead of snapping apart. I think the solder or adhesive for the connector must have failed. My wifi signal was bad because of a physical failure in the antenna connection to the card. I don't know if this is a common issue, but this was what I encountered.

I did not go through phone support to fix this problem. My warranty already expired and I would have to pay for the support, and I don't think the problem would have been identified by phone support. My laptop would have to be opened up to find the issue.

In case anyone is interested: I had the MT7921 that came with the laptop, but I got a AX210 as a replacement (not able to find a replacement MT7921).