Laptop does not connect to WIFI. Has limited connectivity/limited networks/cannot connect to network

[koalabear14]

Quick summary of the issue: Woke up one morning to get on my laptop and noticed it was not connected to WIFI although it has been connected to the same home WIFI network for two years. I remember checking the WIFI network and noticing it was indeed defaulted to my home network but was giving me a "cannot connect to network" error. Immediately after that I checked windows update to see if there was an update available and there was, thinking this would solve my WIFI issue, I downloaded it. It did not fix the issue. 

Specs: HP Laptop 14-cf0xxx

             x64 bit operating system

              Bios: F.42-06/20/2019 (can bios update fix this?)

              4GB memory

              i3-1700U CPU @ 2.40 GHz

Observations:

-In Network Connections my WIFI is listed as WI-FI 2. Not sure why as I believe it used to be just WIFI.

-Upon clicking the available WIFI networks list at the bottom right, there are only a select few available and all of them are extremely limited connectivity. The WIFI symbol only shows the dot filled in, doesn't even highlight one bar of the WIFI symbol.

-My home network is not on this list of devices being shown as possible connections. 

-My other wireless devices DO SEE MY HOME NETWORK. AS WELL AS 2X THE AMOUNT OF CONNECTIONS AVAILABLE.

-I have not changed routers or internet type (5 or 2.5Ghz connection types, I have 2 WIFI connections that support both and this laptop was connected to both at one point.)

-I did not download any updates before this occurred. This seems completely random.

-When manually entering my SSID and Password for my home network the laptop asks me if this is a home network(which is fine because during troubleshooting I made the laptop forget the connection) but after entering the correct password I'm met with "cannot connect to network".

-This laptop does connect to via ethernet and the internet works fine while connected to it. But yeah I need the WIFI for work and will not have direct access to a modem.

Since then I have followed countless YT videos online for troubleshooting HP specific WIFI issues. I will list what I tried down below. Keep in mind after each troubleshooting attempt I  checked my WIFI and tried to connect to my network/notice any changes, but these attempts affected nothing unfortunately. 

Troubleshooting attempts:

-Rolling back both windows update and the current driver for the Realtek 8723DE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC device. Restarting the laptop after downloading and updating.

-Downloaded via USB from another computer the current driver for the Realtek from HP's website, then downloaded it to the laptop. Restarting laptop after downloading current driver.

-Disabling the WIFI-2 in Network Connections and then re-enabling. Restarting after disabling and then re-enabling. Also tried just disabling and then re-enabling in the same instance. 

-Completely uninstalling the Realtek 8723DE and restarting the computer, forcing the device to reinstall drivers from files. 

-Turning AIRPLANE mode on and off.

-Used the "Scanning for Hardware changes" on the Network Adapters tab in Device Manager as well as "Scanning for Hardware changes" on the Realtek device. Restarting laptop just in case, but no luck.

-Went to "Manage known networks", tried to add my home network using the "Network Name" bar and adding the "Security Type" with my password and checking "Connect automatically" to force WIFI to connect. It does not connect nor does it show it exists under my available networks.

-Attempted to use WIFI troubleshooting through windows AND HP Support Assistant, although both tell me my problem is that I haven't selected a preferred network. 🙂 EVEN THOUGH I CANNOT CONNECT TO ANY NETWORK. 

-Ran hardware diagnostic tests through HP Support Assistant to make sure Realtek Wireless was working properly and other WIFI related tests. Listed as PASSED (Wireless IRQ/Wireless ROM). No noticeable changes.

-Tried to look for a "Disable WIFI" button on the keyboard as I'm aware some laptops have this feature (and have personally dealt with accidentally touching it on another computer). This laptop does not.

-Utilized the "Reset Network" function in windows to reset network devices and restarted the PC. No changes.

-Used the CMD to call netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt/netsh int ip reset to reset ip logs. Also used ipconfig /flushdns to clear DNS cache. Restarted windows. 

-Powered off modem for 5 minutes, powered back on. Still did not connect or recognize my available network.

***The only thing I haven't done, or so it seems, is updating the bios/clean installing windows 10.

Conclusion: Help.