My PC will not connect to wifi unless ethernet is plugged in

[Brinuge123]

Hi.
My computer is only about a year old. I hadnt had wifi on it since march, and I recently tried to get back on the internet, but I can't. It won't connect to my home's wifi. The only way it will connect is by ethernet cable. The message says that there's "no internet" yet it's connected. When I troubleshooted, it said my DNS "might not be working", but ive tried everything to fix it. I reset my networks, I reset my router, I unplugged my router, I've tried to manually put in DNS networks, and I even reset my IP address. I'm at a complete and utter loss. Is it time to take it to geek squad? I'm very frustrated because I need this computer. Somebody please help. Thank you!

[MKazi]

@Brinuge123

Welcome to HP Support Forums. 🙂 I came across your post and would like to help.

I understand that you have an HP 15 series Notebook. I read that the laptop is unable to connect to the wireless network The laptop works fine via ethernet. You've done a remarkable job performing the steps. I appreciate the steps you have performed and have certainly done a good job.

Not to worry, I'll do my best to help you. 

• Please let me know the exact product model no. This link will help you to find the model no: http://hp.care/2bygf7l
• Did you try to reinstall the drivers for the wireless card?
• Does the wireless icon appear towards the bottom right corner of the screen and does it have a red X? If you click on the wireless icon does it detect the wireless networks around?

Meanwhile, I did some research and suggest you to perform the following steps to fix the issue:

• Open the device manager.
• Expand "Network adapters". You will see the drivers for the wireless card and the ethernet card.
• Right click on the wireless card drivers and select uninstall
• You may later download and install the drivers from this link: ww.hp.com/drivers

If the wireless card drivers are absent in the device manager then you may stop here and let me know. We might have to reseat the wireless card inside the laptop.

If the issue still persists after reinstalling the drivers then please continue with the below steps:

Manually change network settings:

• Using the search box on the taskbar, search for and open Create a restore point.

  The System Properties window displays.

• Click Create.

Figure : Create selection

• Type a name for the restore point, and then click Create.

  Windows creates the restore point.

• Using the search box on the taskbar, search for Command Prompt. In the results list, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.

  If a User Account Control screen displays asking if you want to allow the app to make changes to your computer, click Yes.

Figure : Opening a Command Prompt as Administrator

• Type the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each one.

  netsh int tcp set heuristics disabled

  netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled

  netsh int tcp set global rss=enabled

Figure : Typing commands in Command Prompt

• To open the TCP Global Settings, type netsh int tcp show global in Command Prompt, and then press Enter.

• Make sure all settings are disabled except Receive-Side Scaling State.

Figure : Settings are disabled except Receive-Side Scaling State

• Close Command Prompt, reboot the system, and then try to connect to the Internet.

I sincerely hope this fixes the issue. Please feel free to reply. Cheers! 🙂

[Brinuge123]

Thank you so much!

The product # is N5Y12UA#ABA

I checked the network drivers, and unless the wireless driver is under a different name, it's not there.

Thanks again!

[MKazi]

@Brinuge123

You're welcome and thanks for providing me the product number. 

I see that this laptop has a Realtek RTL8188EE 802.11bg/n 1x1 WiFi adapter. If you do not see any drivers by the "Realtek" name then please look for drivers that have a yellow question mark or an exclamation mark next to them. 

You may download and install the drivers from this link for the wireless card. 

If the wireless card still does not appear in the device manager then I suggest you to reseat the wireless card. Please refer to page# 31 of the service guide to know how to reset the wireless card.

If the wireless card still does not work then it indicates towards a defective wireless card and I suggest you to contact our HP phone support to explore the hardware service options. 

Hope this does the trick. Let me know. Good luck! 🙂