Can't install wireless drivers for HP 15-ef2126wm

[Mihapro]

Hi,

I re-installed Windows 10 on my HP 15-ef2126wm notebook and I can't install wifi drivers.

The symptom is that I don't see WiFi in network settings - only bluetooth.

I tried ones from HP website (https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/hp-15.6-inch-laptop-pc-15-e2000/model/2100376551?sku=4J771UA&se... tried several driver packs - no success.

I tried to run hardware tests as I thought that maybe wireless adapter is broken, but tests show that wireless adapter is functional.

I didn't have this problem in 2022 when I first installed Windows 10 - I just downloaded drivers from HP website and everything was alright.

Could someone please help me fix this issue?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The product specs for your notebook indicate that it comes with a Realtek RTL8821CE Wi-Fi adapter.

W10 should have automatically installed both the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers for that model adapter.

I have the same card in two HP notebooks, and it worked on reinstallations of W10 without the need for drivers.

FWIW, here is the link to the latest driver HP has for the RTL8821CE Wi-Fi adapter:

Realtek RTL8xxx Wireless LAN Drivers

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp150501-151000/sp150994.exe 

[Mihapro]

Thanks!

This is helpful!

However, the driver you linked didn't work.

So based on what you said + my own observations, I tend to think that the adapter itself is broken.. after just a little more that a year of use. This is disappointing, I probably won't get HP product again.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The only other thing I can think of for you to try would be to use the HP cloud recovery tool to reinstall the original HP factory image.

Then if the Wi-Fi adapter still doesn't work, you can pretty much conclude that it is no good.

Here is an info link for how to use the utility.  You will need a 32 GB USB flash drive to create the recovery media with.

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Customer Support

You can download the software from the Microsoft Store.

HP Cloud Recovery Tool - Microsoft Store Apps

Since you have to use the utility on another PC, you will need to enter the notebook's product number in the tool's search window in order to proceed to make the recovery media. 

Your PC's product number is: 4J771UA#ABA