Windows 11, version 23H2 - Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe adapter disappeared

[Anthony22111]

Hi Community,

I need help fast because this is killing my soul.
My WiFi adaptor suddenly disappeared despite everything being up to date.

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Past Troubleshoot:

1. I tried to also install the drivers from HP driver support page. <-didn't fix the issue
   The HP support assistant actually helped me updated everything.  <-didn't fix the issue
   
   
2. I tried all the troubleshoot methods, and the adapter disappears from the "Device Manager". 
3. I tried installing older drivers and restart the OS,  the WiFi adapter appears on screen, but unable to find any networks. Then, If I disable and enable the adapter from the "Device Manager" the WiFi icon at the bottom right of my screen will disappear. The adaptor will also disappear after OS restart.

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Here is more information from the "System information" page

list of what I updated:

Please let me know what I should do soon!

[Jos1_]

Hello Anthony22111, go to Device Manager and uninstall the driver, then restart the laptop, then install the drivers that I left you to download.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp141001-141500/sp141278.exe

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp146501-147000/sp146686.exe

Greetings.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

This is the latest W11 Wi-Fi driver HP has for the Realtek RTL8821CE Wi-Fi adapter:

Version 2024.10.228.9

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp153001-153500/sp153073.exe 

Hopefully it will install if the Wi-Fi adapter has disappeared.

[Anthony22111]

Hi Paul,

Thank you for your prompt response. I installed the driver you provided, and the WiFi icon appeared at the bottom right. However, I was unable to scan any connections. After restarting my operating system, the adapter disappeared from the device manager.

What do you suggest I do next?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Unfortunately, I don't know what other things you can try since the Wi-Fi adapter driver installed and then the Wi-Fi adapter disappeared again.

It could be a hardware failure of the Wi-Fi card.

You may have to reinstall Windows which is no guarantee that doing so would get the Wi-Fi card to work again.

You may have to resort to using a USB Wi-Fi adapter.

I use this one which is both dual band AC and has Bluetooth as well.

Amazon.com: USB WiFi Bluetooth Adapter, 600Mbps Dual Band 2.4/5Ghz Wireless Network External receive...

[Anthony22111]

Hi Jos1,

I followed your instructions and installed the driver and HP connection optimizer.
I had similar results, Wifi Icon appeared but no connections.

[Anthony22111]

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@Paul_Tikkanen wrote:

You're very welcome.

Unfortunately, I don't know what other things you can try since the Wi-Fi adapter driver installed and then the Wi-Fi adapter disappeared again.

It could be a hardware failure of the Wi-Fi card.

You may have to reinstall Windows which is no guarantee that doing so would get the Wi-Fi card to work again.

You may have to resort to using a USB Wi-Fi adapter.

I use this one which is both dual band AC and has Bluetooth as well.

Amazon.com: USB WiFi Bluetooth Adapter, 600Mbps Dual Band 2.4/5Ghz Wireless Network External receive...

---

Hi Paul,

If all else fails, I will go with your recommendation.
I will update you on Monday.

[Jos1_]

Hello Anthony22111, Does any network detect you? Go to Control Panel, Network and Internet, Network and Sharing Center, Change adapter settings, right click on the Wi-Fi icon and diagnose, see if you find any errors. The second option, Settings, Update and security, Troubleshoot, Additional troubleshooters, here you are going to do three checks, the first, Internet Connections, click on Run the troubleshooter, the second, Network adapters, Run the troubleshooter, the third, Incoming Connections, the same thing, run the troubleshooter, also disconnect the Ethernet cable and see if the Wi-Fi comes out. I hope that some solution that I told you works for you.

[Anthony22111]

Hi Jos1,

I followed your instructions and once I clicked Restart Adaptor, it can never be enabled again.

The Adaptor icon in "Device Manager" also changed.

See Device status:

I clicked [View All Events] and this window appeared:

I highlighted all the Events and copied them as text, saved them in https://pastebin.com/BCrxU9k3

Back to "Device Manager"

I used an external USB-C Network Adapter to access the internet for this option

No update for the Adaptor

Edit:
After restarting my laptop, the WiFi adaptor completely disappeared from "Device Manager"

[Jos1_]

Hello Anthony22111, I'm going to leave you some CMD commands to do a complete check on the laptop, it is very strange that it always disappears.

This will scan for and restore corrupted system files.
• When searching, type CMD.
• Right-click Command Prompt > Open as administrator.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth 

When you're done, type another command to start System File Checker.
In the same command prompt window. Copy and paste this command:
type sfc /scannow (note the space between "sfc" and "/") and press Enter.
After you see a message that says "Verification 100% complete," type exit.

How to use CHKDSK command?
Type cmd (or command prompt) in the search box on the taskbar. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. Type chkdsk and press the Enter key. This command will cause the CHKDSK utility to check for problems without making changes.

II hope it solves something for you, but if it doesn't solve your problem, do a clean installation of the system, copying the files you don't want to lose. I'm going to leave you two tools so you can also check if you have drivers to install. My opinion is that you go back to Windows 10 because I think it will go badly for you.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp153001-153500/sp153451.exe

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp151501-152000/sp151723.exe

I leave you a link where this is a common error in Windows 11 and it happens to many people.

https://answers.microsoft.com/es-es/windows/forum/all/cuando-estoy-jugando-el-driver-de-adaptador-de...

You already commented if it solves the problem.
Greetings.