Ralink RT3290 adapter missing from device manager

[RICHARD811]

Hello

I have a frustrating problem and I hope someone can help me.
I have a HP pavilion 15 with a Ralink RT3290 wifi adapter. Recently I am not able to connect to wifi and when I look for the adapter in the device manager I find it missing. Somtimes "scan for hardawer changes" get it back and hence I could connect to wifi normaly somtimes it does not help and the adapter still missing. I tried all the possible solutions (reseting the network, updating the driver....) but still have the same problem.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do about the issue other than to replace the wifi card with a different model if possible.

That is a known issue with the  RT3290 and the last few build releases of W10.

Please provide the full model number or product number of your notebook, so I can see what options you have for upgrading to a newer/better internal card.

Use this guide to find that information...

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_2039298-1862169-16

[RICHARD811]

Well Thank you 

The product number is: G1N54EA#BH4

The confusing thing is that sometimes it works normally just by doing "scan for hardware chnges" in the device manager actions but it does not help the other times.

will using and USB wifi adapter fix the problem ?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, a USB wifi adapter would work too.

If there are two antenna cables connected to the Ralink card (which I think it does, but open it up to confirm) then you can upgrade to this model...

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 802.11 ac 2x2 WiFi + BT 4.0 HP Part # 710661-001

The card is readily available on eBay or Amazon.

Here is the link to the service manual which has the wifi card removal and replacement procedure...

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04438537

Search by the HP part number, not by the model number of the wireless card.