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HP Recommended
Pavilion G6 1200
Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit)

When booting up the laptop the system doesn't find the wifi adapter anymore.

In Device Manager it shows up as hidden, did some troubleshooting, and my last option was a restore of a restorepoint of a few days earlier when the wifi adapter still worked, but this didn't fix the problem. Therefor I think the wifi adapter is broken.

 

The currently installed wifi adapter is a Ralink RT5390.

 

I've read that the HP laptop needs a wifi adapter which is whitelisted in the bios. Could someone give a list of whitelisted compatible wifi adapters for my laptop? Can I buy it anywhere or does it need to be specific in a HP shop?

 

Thank you.

5 REPLIES 5
HP Recommended

Hi:

 

The Ralink wifi adapters have issues with W10. 

 

They do exactly what you are describing...suddenly disappear from the device manager.

 

You can only replace the card with the same one having the exact same part number.

 

You'd have to open up the PC and get the part number off the 'Replace with HP Spare' label and see if you can find one on eBay.

 

Since I don't believe it is a hardware issue, I suggest you use an external USB wifi adapter or go back to Windows 7.

 

They make some nano-sized dual band ones that hardly stick out of the USB port.

HP Recommended

Thank you for your answer.

I did find some discussions on the internet about the issue where the Ralink disappers. But it should usually work after a restore from a restore point, or the wifi card would still show up in device manager as an unknown device because of a "bad" driver. 

 

On my laptop the wifi adapter is listed in device manager as a hidden device, and gives this message:
Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer. To fix this problem, reconnect this hardware device to the computer. (Code 45)

 

Searching for new hardware also didn't find anything...

HP Recommended

You're very welcome.

 

You could try removing and firmly reseating the wifi adapter.

 

Sometimes the contacts get oxidized and the electrical contact gets broken.

 

See if you can leave the antenna wires connected to facilitate any easier reinstallation.

 

Below is the link to the service manual, where you can find the wifi card removal and replacement procedure.

 

h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02968997

HP Recommended

Thank you.

I've removed the adapter and reinstalled it, but sadly same result. The adapter doesn't look damaged.

I have bought a replacement wifi adapter from aliexpress, according to the productnummer it is exactly the same adapter and it cost only 6 euro. Will receive it februari 14th, will let you know if a new adapter fixes it.

 

I'm use an external usb wifi adapter, so in the meantime I can use the laptop.

But I'm still open for other suggestions for troubleshooting.

HP Recommended

You're very welcome.

 

Unfortunately, I don't have any other suggestions for you to try.

 

Hopefully the replacement adapter will work but if it doesn't, then you will know for sure that it is a W10-related issue.

† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.