Enable wireless adaptor


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 7
       #1

    Enable wireless adaptor


    So I just got a brand new laptop, a Dell Inspiron. I turned it on, started adjusting properties to suit me, and tried to connect to my internet connection. In the process I wanted to disconnect from my internet, but nstead I pressed disable. Now I can't figure out at all how to enable the thing again. I try to troubleshoot it and it tells me that the wireless adaptor is disabled, but gives me absolutely no clues on how to enable it again.

    How do I do this? 5 minutes old and I already have problems...
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #2

    Hi,

    Usually its a special keystroke, something like ALT+F8 - check above the laptop keys : are there special functions shown, perhaps a wireless icon?

    If you are able to take a photo of the keyboard and post here we can solve it in two shakes of a lambs tail.

    Regards,
    Golden
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8,398
    ultimate 64 sp1
       #3

    on my (oldish) inspiron laptop, the wireless button is fn-f2 - may well be different on yours - the symbol looks like a transmission tower, broadcasting 'waves'.

    when you say 'you pressed disable' - what did you press to disable it?

    oh, and welcome to sevenforums, kpva33! :)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #4

    It didn't help. When I pressed it, it says it is connected, but it still says the wireless network connection adapter is disabled.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8,398
    ultimate 64 sp1
       #5

    ok, let's take this slowly.

    what says it is connected?

    and what says that it's disabled?

    have you looked in device manager?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Ah, I found it-- I went to Control Panel --> Network/Internet --> Network Connections and then right-clicked on Wireless network connection, which I could then choose to enable. So strange I couldn't find it more readily accessible.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 8,398
    ultimate 64 sp1
       #7

    there should be a little symbol in your notification area, near your clock.

    Enable wireless adaptor-wl.png

    you should be able to click that to connect/disconnect.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 851
    Windows 8 Professional x64
       #8

    kpva33 said:
    It didn't help. When I pressed it, it says it is connected, but it still says the wireless network connection adapter is disabled.
    click on this

    open network and sharing center

    Click on change adapter settings and click enable
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Enable wireless adaptor-net.png   Enable wireless adaptor-ada.png  
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #9

    kpva33 said:
    Ah, I found it-- I went to Control Panel --> Network/Internet --> Network Connections and then right-clicked on Wireless network connection, which I could then choose to enable. So strange I couldn't find it more readily accessible.
    Yep thats where the network connection are at. You can also do this in Device Manager.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #10

    I found a solution, and it involves temporarily bridging the wireless and lan connections (then unbridging). See Technopaideia: Frustrating but ultimately successful fix for Internet connectivity
      My Computer


 

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