Windows cannot detect any Wireless network interfaces

lakoffjo · 24 Feb 2013

1 week ago, my HP desktop decided that it couldn't find the wireless connection anymore. I didn't install anything new. I may have defragmented the system around that time. I did the trouble shoot and the wired connection works fine with the ethernet cable. Also other computers in the house can connect to the wireless router no problem.
Under Manage wireless networks, when I try to add a network it tells me "windows cannot detect any wireless network interfaces"
Not sure what else to try.
Under Network adaptors, I see Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller, it says the device is working properly and I have also updated the driver. Any other thoughts on why it shut off suddenly? Did I somehow delete the wireless adaptor or is the Realtek adaptor for wireless as well.
Thank you.

2xg · 24 Feb 2013

Welcome to Seven Forums,

Can you please post your Device Manager, expand Network Adapters so that we can see if you have the Wi-Fi Adapter? Here's a general Tutorial on how you may access Device Manager?

If your Wi-Fi adapter is missing, you may download the driver from HP site. The link that I gave you will also give you a step by step guide on how to install the driver.

An update will be appreciated.

lakoffjo · 24 Feb 2013

Device manager

2xg · 25 Feb 2013

lakoffjo - Let's try a System Restore, this process might save you plenty of time troubleshooting. Follow this Tutorial and select a restore point(date) before the issue occurred.

If that didn't work at all, please visit HP Support site and download your Wi-Fi driver.

lakoffjo · 25 Feb 2013

I'm a little hesitant to try the system restore. I went ahead with downloading the driver. " Original Ralink Wireless Networking Controller Driver". When I tried to install it, it said, "system does not meet the minimum requirement". I did the update with the "Original Realtek Networking Controller Drive" This time it worked but this did not solve the problem. Not sure why the first one didn't work.
If I do the system restore, I'll first back up my info/pics just in case.

2xg · 27 Feb 2013

Hi there,

You won't be doing a factory restore only back date it where all is well or worry free. All files will be saved, any programs and Windows Updates that you installed will have to be re-installed.

If I do the system restore, I'll first back up my info/pics just in case.

lakoffjo · 27 Feb 2013

I did manage to get the Original Ralink Wireless Networking Controller Driver to install but that didn't fix the problem. I then did do the system restore to Feb 5 and this did not fix the problem. I'm fairly certain the problem wasn't going on at that time. It didn't give me an option to go back any further. Not sure what to try now. Thanks for your patience.

nexus666 · 28 Feb 2013

It could be a hardware problem. Your card might be broken. Have you considered buying a Wireless Network USB adapter? They aren't expensive, and it fixed my problem.
Just a suggestion. Ask a friend if they can lend you one for a while. If that works, you'll know what the problem is.
Do buy one with an antenna, it works better. Especially if there is a distance to overcome.
Example:300Mbps 300M USB Wireless Adapter WiFi LAN Network Card IEEE 802 11b G N Antenna | eBay

dannyrinaldi78 · 31 Dec 2013

I have been experiencing the same exact problem. The driver which the link tell you to download did not work for me either. I noticed that on the back of my desktop, it says (Ralink RT3090) so I downloaded that driver instead. No change. My wifi worked perfectly up until about 5 months ago. I'm just now digging deep trying to fix it. I took the computer apart and had hands on the 802.11 PCI E card. It doesn't look damaged, but I'm thinking it may be the culprit. I've seen them as cheap as $9 online. Other than that, I've updated all drivers, tried to install new ones, and have been reading forums such as this one just trying to find some answers. So far, this thread seems to be the most fitting. Any other suggestions?
Here is my IPConfig printout:

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : hpallinone
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : home

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : home
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : C8-0A-A9-F8-8A-06
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::6c87:8030:ce9b:87fc%11(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.4(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, December 29, 2013 11:48:14 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Monday, December 30, 2013 11:48:13 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 264768169
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-18-37-52-B9-C8-0A-A9-F8-8A-06
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter Reusable ISATAP Interface {F15D0A7C-D368-4DDE-894B-4BD04701B542}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0:9d38:6abd:2cc0:2ad6:9d59:ff20(Preferred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::2cc0:2ad6:9d59:ff20%10(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : ::
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter isatap.{6763B675-5367-4D48-93A7-B009330272A9}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.home:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : home
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #3
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

UsernameIssues · 31 Dec 2013

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

Does your Device Manager window show a device that needs drivers?

Does your Device Manager window show your wireless network interface adapter?