Missing Wireless Network Adapter


  1. Wisdomwithage
    Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Missing Wireless Network Adapter


    Recently, after about a month of not using my laptop, I tried the other day to reconnect with the web. However I discovered that the only access was via ethernet. I did a troubleshoot, but still the same result. So I did a factory reset, hoping that this would solve the problem. When I finished reconfiguring the Windows 10 (which took another couple of hours), I again tried connecting via wifi, only to get the same outcome. I then went into the Device Manager, and checked for the wireless network adapter, only to find it missing. After checking support sites for both Windows 10, and HP, I've come up empty handed. I need help. Not sure but it may also require a wireless driver.


    Here are my laptop specs ... I have an HP Pavilion dv7 - 6165us, with the latest version of Windows 10, with Firefox as browser. Does anyone know a site where I can download the wireless network adapter compatible with my system?
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  3. Samuria
    Posts : 8,111
    windows 10
       New #2

    Welcome to the forum. does it show as an unknown device if not then the driver wont help have you turned it on ? How to Turn on Wireless Networking in an HP Pavilion DV7 | It Still Works
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  4. Try3
    Posts : 16,950
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       New #3

    I agree with Samuria. If there are no entries in Device manager of 'unknown devices', no 'Other devices' section & no yellow warning triangles then you are unlikely to fix things.

    Missing Wireless Network Adapter-device-manager-warning-signs-icons-other-devices.png

    It would not really even be worth checking that the wifi network adapter has not been turned off in the bios [if such a setting exists in your particular bios] because you have made no mention of having changed anything in the bios anyway.
    Similarly, I don't think that it would be worth going to your drivers page in the HP support website to download & reinstall the latest adapter unless there is indeed an unknown entry in Device manager.
    You might check in your drivers page in the HP support website if there is a bios update available but I would not really expect an updated bios to allow a wifi card to be discovered when Device manager has no unknown entries.

    There have been several TenForums threads lately in which wifi adapters have disappeared from Device manager. You could try searching for them but I don't recall any of them being resolved.

    Denis
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  6. Bree
    Posts : 31,675
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       New #4

    Wisdomwithage said:
    Recently, after about a month of not using my laptop, I tried the other day to reconnect with the web. However I discovered that the only access was via ethernet. ... . I then went into the Device Manager, and checked for the wireless network adapter, only to find it missing.... ... I have an HP Pavilion dv7 - 6165us...

    If there is an 'unknown device' in Device Manager then you are missing the correct driver, as others have said. HP only list Win 7 drivers for your model.

    https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers.../model/5128852

    There were a number of different possible WiFi adapters used in that model, see Chapter 1, Page 8 in the service manual.

    HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC - Maintenance and Service Guide

    But if there is no 'unknown device' then the WiFi card may just need reseating. I fixed a missing WiFi on one second hand laptop I bought by doing that. For removal and replacement procedures see Chapter 4, Page 63 in the service manual. If reseating does no good, then it's easy enough to replace the WLAN card with a new one.
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  7. zbook
    Posts : 41,475
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       New #5

    To find the driver > look for hardware ID > download an install from HP.com > support > enter serial number > view drivers windows 7 > download and install
    Alternative driver source: component manufacturer
    Another alternative source: Windows catalog

    How to Find Drivers for Unknown Devices in the Device Manager
    How to easily find drivers for Unknown Devices in Windows | PCWorld
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