HP laptop model 17-by0010nr with Windows 10 boots with wifi off, restarts with wifi on

[Bob2021]

After a shutdown, when I press the power button to turn on (cold boot) my HP laptop model 17-by0010nr running Windows 10, it consistently boots with wifi turned off and I can’t turn it on.  The icons to turn wifi on do not do it.  If I click the ‘power’ icon and select ‘restart’, it (hot boot) restarts with wifi turned on.  This restart ‘workaround’ works even if I click restart before logging on.  How can I get it to turn wifi on during a power on (cold boot)?

This appears similar to problems posted in 2016 with Windows 7 but is happening with Windows 10.  i have checked the drivers and other suggestions in the previous posts with no improvement.

[Echo_Lake]

@Bob2021
Thank you for posting on the HP Support Community.

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help, however, to provide an accurate resolution, I need a few more details:

• Did you make any changes to the settings of your PC prior to the issue?
• When was the last time it worked fine?
• Did this happen after a recent window or software update?
• Have you made any hardware/software changes

While you respond to that, let's try these steps:

Wireless Module test:

Use the following steps to open the Component Tests menu.

1. Hold the power button for at least five seconds to turn off the computer.
2. Turn on the computer and immediately press Esc repeatedly, about once every second. When the menu appears, press the F2 key.
3. On the main menu, click Component Tests.
4. The Component Tests menu displays.
5. Wireless Module Test - This test checks that the BIOS detects the wireless module and that it is enabled.

To run the test, click Wireless Module, and then click Run once.

1. The Wireless Module Test takes 30 seconds to complete.

If the test passes, try these steps:

Reinstall the network adapter using HP Recovery Manager (Windows 8, 10)

Reinstall original software or drivers using the HP Recovery Manager. If your PC does not locate the Recovery Manager installed, click the ‘next step’ button below.

1. In Windows, search for and open HP Recovery Manager. If prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. If prompted by User Account Control to allow the program to make changes to the computer, click Yes.
2. Under Help, click Reinstall drivers and/or applications and wait for Recovery Manager to generate a list.
3. From the combined list of applications and drivers, with the drivers listed first, select the checkbox next to the drivers you want to reinstall. NOTE: The name of the adapter varies, depending on which one is installed on your PC.
4. When the Installation is completed message displays, click OK.
5. Close all open applications, restart your computer, then try connecting to the Internet again.

Set BIOS default and restart:

1. Restart your notebook.
2. During startup, press F10 repeatedly until the BIOS menu is displayed.
3. Once the BIOS menu is displayed, press F9 to restore factory defaults.
4. Select Yes to confirm.
5. Press F10 to save changes and exit.
6. Select Yes to confirm.
7. The computer restarts using the default settings.

After your computer has restarted once in Windows test your wireless connectivity. Try connecting to the Internet again.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[Bob2021]

Thank you for your response.  In answer to your questions and suggestions, I normally use a wired connection at home so I can’t pinpoint a date or update that changed.  It cold-booted with wifi on early in 2019, then didn’t in November 2019.   I keep Windows 10 updated and have checked that drivers and BIOS are current.  After a power-on sequence,  I ran the HP diagnostics which reset the adapter. It displayed, ‘wifi is disabled, click the icon to turn on wifi.”  I clicked the icon with no change.  After a restart, wifi worked fine.

On a power-on startup (cold boot), the sequence ends with wifi off and not able to turn it on.  On a restart, the sequence ends with wifi on and able to turn it on and off with the icon.  It seems to recognize the adapter on restart, not on power-on startup.  Normally, I turn the laptop off by clicking the ‘power’ icon, then selecting ‘shutdown’.

Per your suggestion, I turned it off by holding the power button for 5 seconds.  I then pressed power to turn on the PC, pressed ‘esc’ and F2 to enter diagnostics, clicked Component Tests, Network, Wireless, Run once.  It passed the test.  I exited and it started up with wifi on. When I startup without doing the  component check, it starts with wifi off and I am not able to turn it on with the icons.

I am continuing to diagnose using your suggestions.  At least now I have  2 workarounds:  do a component test on startup or do a restart.  I just would like it to start up and find/turn on wifi without having to do a  workaround.

Progress but not solved at this point.

[Echo_Lake]

@Bob2021

Thank you for posting back.

I appreciate your efforts to try and resolve the issue. I would suggest performing system factory reset will put the computer back to the original factory settings in this way all corrupted and outdated software will be removed. 

The last thing I can suggest trying to restore the computer back to the factory settings. Performing an HP system recovery (Windows ) While doing the recovery there is an option to backup your personal files. If you have not previously done one now is a good time. 

Restoring Files that were Backed Up Using HP Recovery Manager (Windows )You can also contact HP support for assistance. They can remotely access your system to help alleviate difficulties: www.hp.com/contacthp/

The HP Cloud Recovery Tool allows you to download recovery software to a USB drive. You can use the downloaded recovery image file in order to install the Windows operating system. 

• Click here: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c04758961#AbT3to perform System Recovery (Windows 10) 
• Click here: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c06162205 to Use the HP Cloud Recovery Tool (Windows 10)

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[Bob2021]

04/03/2020 Thank you ECHO_LAKE for your reply.  Because the problem is not solved, I cannot click “Accept as Solution”. There seems to be a difference in HP laptops doing a power-on startup versus a restart.  During a power-on startup, wifi is off and cannot be turned on using normal software control icons.  During a restart, wifi is on and can be turned on and off using icons.  This problem was identified in Windows 7 and continues in Windows 10.  Reference similar 2016 and 2018 HP Community forum items.

A system factory reset as you suggested may introduce other unintended consequences. I plan to use one of the 2 workarounds when I need wifi.  For the benefit of other HP users, here are the workarounds:

1.  Press the power switch to turn on the PC, press ‘esc’ and F2 to enter diagnostics, click Component Tests, Network, Wireless, Run once.  It will pass the test.  Exit and it will start up with wifi on; or
2. Immediately after startup before logging in, do a restart (it will restart with wifi on).

Because these workarounds work, it does not appear to be a ‘loose connection’ hardware issue.

Thank you for your ideas.  If HP fixes this issue, please let me know. Thanks.

[Echo_Lake]

@Bob2021
Thank you for posting back.

I am glad to know that you managed to resolve the issue. Please reach out again for any further assistance.

Have a nice day ahead.