Solution for issues connecting wifi or wireless using Ralink adapter

[jewlesz]

Hello all. Like so many of you, I got a new computer and I could not get my computer to connect to my wireless router. I tried so many things and finally this one worked so I thought I would share it with you. I also wanted to point out that this should work for any computer with a Ralink WiFi adapter that is having issues connecting wether the connection is slow, constantly dropping or not working at all even though the computer is in the same room as the router and other devices are connecting just fine. (In case you are wondering, in my situation I am using a HP Envy DV6 with windows 8 and ralink RT5390r WiFi adapter, but again this should work for any computer with a Ralink adapter.)

STEP 1:
First check to see if you have a Ralink WiFi adapter and get your model number.
If you don't know how, do the following steps:

-For windows 7: Start menu > control panel > Device Manager > Press the arrow next to "Network Adapters" > look for Ralink and write down the model number (for example my model number is RT5390R) the other 802.11bgn WiFi Adapter (or similar) part is not important.

-For Windows 8: move the cursor to the right hand corner of the screen > when the panel shows up, click "Search", Type: Control Panel > Click the control panel option > Device Manager > Press the arrow next to "Network Adapters" > look for Ralink and write down the model number (for example my model number is RT5390R) the other 802.11bgn WiFi Adapter (or similar) part is not important.

*If you do not see Ralink Wifi adapter, then check the manufactuer website of the wireless or wifi adapter that you do have installed for support on this issue. The following steps will not help you unless you have a Ralink installed.

**If you do not have any wireless or wifi adapter listed, then you do not have them installed. You can try the steps below, but chances are that either the computer did not come with one OR is incorrectly installed. Any computer repair store should be able to fix that for you or if it is under warranty, you can send it in.

STEP 2:
Next, you will need to either plug your compluter directly to the router using a network cable or get on another computer to download and note that if you use another computer you will need a usb flash drive or some other media to transfer the downloaded file.

Go to this link: http://www.ralinktech.com/en/04_support/support.php?sn=500 

Under the part number column, look for your model number and click on it. (note that if you see an 'x' that means all versions. For example my model number is RT5390r, so I downloaded the one that said

PCI/mPCI/CB(RT2860/RT2760/RT2890/RT2790/RT306X/RT309X/RT35X2/RT539X) because it had RT539X, where the X stands for all versions. Follow the on screen instruction download. When complete, you will find the file in your downloads folder.

STEP 3 (optional):
At this point, I set myself up a restore point, just incase. You can do this if you want or not since it is not working anyways.  You can find the restore point under control panel > recovery and follow on screen instructions.

STEP 4:
Run (Double click) the file that you downloaded from the Ralink website. If you get a popup asking "do you want to allow the following program to make changes" click yes. It may say "A previous version is found...", click remove all. Once it is done, click finish or close window.

STEP 5:
Restart your computer

STEP 6: 
Run (Double click) the file that you downloaded from the Ralink website again. This time install BOTH the software and driver. After this completes, you should be able to connect to your network. If you are still having issues, try restarting.

CONCLUSION:
I tried so many things including going into my router and changing the channel to 11, updating the old driver, disonnecting and restaring everything and the only thing that worked was the steps above. The problem is a software/driver issue from Ralink. If this doesn't work, then I am certain that you have a bad wifi adapter and it needs to be replaced. If you are out of warranty OR don't want to take the time and money to fix, then you can also just buy and external usb wifi adapter for around $30 to $50 from new egg, Frys, best buy or other computer stores.

Good Luck!

[Zanuvar]

Hi, Sorry if this is a reply to an old post or what not, I am new to forums and am terrible and navigating/understanding how they work and such Mods feel welcome to move this to where ever fits best.

But I tried following your link to the Ralink Drivers and I can not seem to understand how to download the Ralink driver. I get a flash popup about Ralink website merging with MediaTek and then I follow through to their driver Downloads and click the one for my computer (which turns out to be the same as yours) However I get no thing saying it has downloaded or asking to save or open a download, or a button to click to download the driver. I get this page: http://www.mediatek.com/_en/07_downloads/01-1_windowsDetail.php?sn=5000 I am only hoping this solves my internet wifi problem. This was a brand new custom made laptop, an Envy DV7 that had a Ralink wifi adapter inside it running windows 8. But up in my bedroom on the second floor of the house I get 3-4 bars from both the modum which has an internal router ad a separate gamerlounge router, but either or machine doesnt seem to hold a better signal. This laptop has slower than molassass in a february bizzard connection speed (even next to the router is quite slow it seems) compaired to my old laptop which was a HP pavilion dv6. I have problems with skype calls all the time, it seems there is less internet available to anything, I open a page of internet and then open a new tab and all of a sudden internet seems to fail sometimes, like running out of hot water during a shower. There is a multitude of problems of connecting, holding a connection and internet speed but I feel it all stems from the same problem.

But just to be clear on some specs, This is a HP Envy dv7, Running windows 8 64bit um.. Home version I think, not the pro. GamerLounge Dlink router is a DGL-4500, Modum is Windstream ISP DSL router/modum which is supposed to be giving 12mbps (the next up speed from default lowest offered in DSL routers) I have a Ralink RT5390R driver thing. My ipod 4th gen can connect to both the Windstream machine and Dlink router and only drop signal once in a while from to many Apps running, my Xbox slim can run on both machines and can host games and join games, once in a while lagging or dropping signal depending who else is in a game/match what not. A desktop computer and another Xbox is connected to the windstream Modum/router via direct wireing and shoulnt be effecting the wireless (or so says the ISP) My other laptop which is mostly dead, can connect fine and drops connection once in a while but not often but when connected holds strong and does not have slow internet speeds as compaired to the Envy dv7.

Sorry that this post is so long and more than likely in the wrong spot since I sort of mushed a question to this post and a detailed description of my personal computer problem. Just hoping to get this issue fixed.

[AxshunJaxun]

Hey Zanuvar, 

I'm sorry you're running into this wireless issue.

Which Envy dv7 do you have? I need to know a few things to better assist you.

1. and 2.  Product number and BIOS version -- Press FN + ESC to find the product number and model name. Also make note of the BIOS version and put it in your reply please ( BIOS version is 'F.##')

3. Wireless driver version -- Go to Device Manager > Expand Network and double-click on the 802.11 line > Let me know what the manufacturer's name is on that 802.11 line (Realtek, Intel, Broadcom, Qualcomm, etc.) > Click on the Driver tab > Make note of the driver version number and post it in your reply.

Here's a link to a previous thread that had the same bandwidth issue with a Ralink card in a similar....

Once I know what model and versions you have, I will be able to give you direct links to the latest versions for your model. I'll keep an eye out for your reply 🙂

[Zanuvar]

Hello and thanks for replying. The product number is: C2Y65AV and my Bios is F.24 which came with the update that happened on 1/22/2013

As to the Wireless Driver I have Ralink RT5390R 8-2.11bgn

Driver date is 11/14/12

Driver Version 5.0.8.0

Thanks again for helping, 🙂  I have been struggling for weeks trying to resolve the issue thinking it was a router or gateway modum problem but nothing seemed to help when working on that side of things.

[AxshunJaxun]

Absolutely! That's what I'm here for! Have you had this speed issue since you first got the notebook? or did it start recently?

I'm showing that the correct driver for this model is

Ralink Driver version 5.0.5.0

Download and install that version (vs the 5.0.8.0 that you have currently). Once you've downloaded it, connect wirelessly and let me know if the speed has improved. 

You can use speedtest.net to get a precise reading.

[Zanuvar]

I have had wireless connection issues since I first got the laptop, ended up having to do a Reset to factory default and redo everything like removing useless apps (since windows 8 works such ways) when I could connect to the internet or at least it was saying I was, but no internet page would load up, with a message on the internet window saying "could not connect" and told me to run through the troubleshooter to fix a connection issue however the troubleshooter turned up useless wen it continueally returned with no connection issues to be found.

Speedtest is declairing 11.56 Download and .57 upload and a ping of 66ms.

The speed seems to have increased, which is awesome. I do wonder if this will also help with the connection error issue I mentioned above which still happens from time to time. (Seems to always be when I have work to do XD). Would you have any ideas to the connection thing? Incase it still seems to be a persistant issue?

[AxshunJaxun]

Do you ever notice signal issues with this notebook when others' signals are good?

If the disconnecting issue continues, you may want to check the wireless card antennas to make sure they are completely snapped on. The metal caps just pull directly upward and snap back directly downward.

If one of them is loose it can cause the signal to be weak, speed to be significantly less than what it should be and possibly dropped connections. See the picture below.

Let me know if you have any questions about that procedure 🙂 That would be my next step if I were in your situation and kept having dropped connections. If reseating those antenna cables doesn't help, it could be a bad card.

[Zanuvar]

I could try this, though it worries me about my warrenty for this laptop. Would not unsckrewing and all that break the warrenty? I am not sure if HP puts in tamper seals or what not, if it doesnt void my warrenty I am up for trying. From the Diagram I beleive I could follow what needs done. As to your questions yes, this laptop has had connection issues more so than my Previous Hp pavilion dv6

[AxshunJaxun]

No it will not void your warranty. The wireless card is commonly a customer replaceable part on the majority of models and I have confirmed it is customer replaceable on your model as well. Customer replaceable means you as the customer can remove it, reseat it, replace it (with the same model of wireless card), in your home at your convenience. 

Thanks for your question though. It's always good to take those types of precautions 🙂

Here's a link to that Service and Maintenance Guide - wireless card removal is covered on page 57.

[AxshunJaxun]

Hey Zanuvar, 

I have come across some threads in the past couple of days where users have suggested and confirmed drivers from the following website are resolving their issues.

Ralink Driver Website

I would suggest installing version 5.0.23.0 from the top section under the Windows 8 column. Let me know what results you get from that 🙂