I can not find my wireless network

[Ann-Cha]

Hi I installed Windows 8.1 on my computer and after that can I not find the wireless network. I had  wireless network before i recovered the computer. Can it be a setting problem? I have only ethernet now. Can anyone help me?

[Dragon-Fur]

@Ann-Cha

It appears you have installed an unsupported version of Windows on your computer.

This system is fully supported in Windows 10

Specifications

There are drivers (at least a partial list) for Windows 7, some of which may support Windows 8.  Windows 8 support does not automatically mean the driver will run on Windows 8.1, though you could try to do so.

Your Website Support Software and Drivers:

Software and Drivers - HP 255 G5 Notebook PC (ENERGY STAR)

Open the support web page, expand the driver list,

Select a driver / software, Open the Details page for that driver / software

Check Associated Files > Download to see a copy of the information file

Decide whether to install that software driver.

@Paul_Tikkanen - More / Better / Other advice?  Thanks!

Reference and Resources – Places to find help and information for your Device

Device Homepage

Drivers / Software and BIOS, Videos, Bulletins/Notices, How-to, Troubleshooting, Manuals, Product Information, more

HP 255 G5 Notebook PC (ENERGY STAR

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @Ann-Cha

When the wireless network adapter needs a driver, there will be a device listed under an Other Devices category, labeled as a Network Controller.

Please post the hardware ID for the Network Controller device, and I will then post the link to the W8.1 wifi driver you need to get the wireless to work.

Use this guide for how to find the hardware ID for a device...

https://www.howtogeek.com/193798/how-to-find-drivers-for-unknown-devices-in-the-device-manager/

[Ann-Cha]

Hi I could not find Windows 8.1 I installed 8.1 because that was the factory installed when I s´did a recovery, I prefer Windows 10. I do not know if I can install that now. 

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

If your notebook did not come with FreeDOS, it came with W10, or W7 (downgrade rights from W10).

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c05084797

If it came with W10, or W7 (dowgrade rights from W10), you can always clean install W10 at any time by using the media creation tool.

To reinstall W10...Use the Media Creation Tool.  Make the 64 bit installation media.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

You can make a W10 USB flash drive installer using an 8 GB flash drive using another Windows PC, since your PC is not working.

W10 will work with the product key in the BIOS, install and automatically activate once you are connected to the internet.

Here are the steps to create the W10 USB flash drive installer...

1. Select Download tool now, and select Run.
2. If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.
3. On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.

4. Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10. You want 64 bit.

5. Select which media you want to use:
6. USB flash drive.  Plug in a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space. Any content on the flash drive will be deleted.

Then you can install the drivers and available software from the PC's support page.

[Ann-Cha]

Hi again!

I have tried to updrade the Windows 8.1 i have on the computer. But it took so long to checking updates, so I stopped it. Now I download it on a usb. Do I need to remove the Windows 8.1 first before I install the files from the usb? Thanks for support.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

You don't have to remove W8.1 to install W10.

Just boot from the W10 USB installer and select the custom (clean) install.

You can delete partitions, format the drive, or just let W10 install over the current windows installation, and it will create a windows.old folder.

After W10 installs, you can delete the windows.old folder by running the disk cleanup utility>click on the cleanup system files button.