Network adapter not properly installed

[tina_t]

Hello!

Last night for some strange reason my WiFi stopped working (including the wifi button at the top of my keyboard which is still glowing amber). So when troubleshooting, an error came up as Network Adapter not properly installed, please re-install the driver. 

I've already checked at the device manager and my Wifi settings are not present so there's no way I can 'enable it', I've tried installing  the RAlink3090 802.11b/g/n Wifi Adapter (presuming that this is the correct one because it was already present on my control panel), but after installing the driver from the hp website, the network adapter was still not properly installed. THEN, I uninstalled the  RAlink adapter that was first built into the laptop, and tried re-installing the network driver from the website and after restarting the laptop it was shown not to have downloaded properly... so worrying I did  a system recovery and recovered the original Ralink network adapter... 

I don't really know what else I can do!! or even if I'm doing the write thing! please help... 

-Tina

[SuperMario1]

Hello @tina_t ,

Welcome to the HP Forums!

I understand the WiFi stopped working. I'll do what I can to assist you!

First, you want to make sure the basic troubleshooting is done:

Troubleshooting Wireless Network and Internet (Windows 😎
Troubleshooting Your Wireless Network and Internet Connection (Windows 7)

In comparison to the router, where is the notebook and where is everything else? Also, is the computer connected to a 5.0 GHz channel or 2.4 GHz? This information can be important and might explain why there are issues.

Next, power cycling the network is useful since it will refresh everything:

1. Shut down your notebook.
2. Unplug the power to your router.
3. Unplug the power to your modem.
4. Wait at least 45 seconds.
5. Plug in the modem, and wait for it to come back online.
6. Plug in the router, and wait for it to come back online.
7. Turn on your notebook, and test your connection.

Disable the Power Off option for the adapter. This is to ensure it isn't turning off or losing power:

1. Open Device Manager. (Win Key+R > type devmgmt.msc > OK)
2. Expand the Network adapters.
3. Right click on the Ethernet/Wireless Adapter and click Properties.
4. Click the Power Management tab.
5. Remove the check mark beside Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
6. Click OK.
7. Test.

Uninstalling and reinstalling the wireless adapter driver is next, since the driver may need to be refreshed:

1. Go into Device Manager, then Network adapters.

2. Right-click on the wireless driver, and select "Uninstall".

3. Restart the computer. This will force the driver to reinstall itself. Test.

Reset the TCP/IP settings on your PC:

1. Go to your start screen/menu and type CMD.
2. Right click on the command prompt icon and chose Run as administrator.
3. In the window that opens type "netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt" without quotes, and press enter.
4. Restart your PC and test.

It may also help to reset the winsock catalogue:

1. Go to your start screen/menu and type CMD.
2. Right click on the command prompt icon and chose Run as administrator.
3. In the window that opens type "netsh winsock reset" without quotes, and press enter.
4. Restart your PC and test.

Try an Ethernet connection:

This will determine whether it's a WiFi issue, or a generic network issue with the computer.

Test another connection:

Many people rule out their home network as an issue if another device is working on the same network. Networking is not that simple. Each device interacts differently with your router or modem and it is impossible to rule out settings in that device until the notebook has been tested on another network.

If those three steps do not resolve the issue, try this document published by Microsoft for networking issues: Wired and wireless network problems.

If you still need assistance, please provide the following information:

1. The computer's model number. If you require assistance locating this information, please reference this website: Guide to finding your notebook product number

2. The computer's operating system. If you require assistance locating this information, please reference this website to determine your Windows operating system.

3. Have you installed any new software or drivers on this computer, before the issue appeared?

Mario

[tina_t]

Hi Mario, 

Thank you for your reply and help!! So! 

First off, I don't know whether my computer is connected to a 5 or 2.4 GHz channel... sorry, how can I find this out? But my computer is no more than 30 meters away from the router.

I have tried power cycling the network but that didn't change anything... 

I've also tried opening device manager but the wireless/ ethernet adapter option is not even available... The only sub-heading under network adapters is the 'Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller'... 

I've also tried resetting the TCP/IP setting and the winsock catalogue, but still wifi is not coming up.. 

At the moment, I am using an ethernet cable on my PC for internet and the internet is working fine on here... 

SO my PC is running on Windows 7

Product number:XE062EA#ABU

And I'm not aware of any new softwares or drivers being installed before this happened... 

Hope you can help! Thanks, Tina

[SuperMario1]

For more information on checking the channel, you would need to research that yourself, since it's different with most routers.

As well, since you didn't have any luck,  this is either a hardware issue or an extreme software issue. If you are interested in troubleshooting further, I would perform a System Recovery to reinstall Windows. This will rule out which of the above options are to blame. First, you should backup your data. I will provide information on how to do that: Backing Up Your Files (Windows 7)

Once this is done, it is safe to do the System Recovery. Here is some information on how to do this: Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 7)

Thanks and have a great day!

Mario

[tina_t]

Hi Mario,

So having done the system recovery, my Wifi Adapter is still not working!!! 

What else can I do now? The Wifi Adapter is still not showing in the device manager, and the button at the top of my keyboard is still remaining amber.... 

Any suggestions would be great...

Tina

[SuperMario1]

If it's not working, then the adapter is broken. I would contact HP phone support. You can utilize this website to learn how to contact HP appropriately, based on your region: Contact HP Worldwide

Mario