How to enable wifi on Windows 7.

Hello I'm trying to enable Wifi on my Dell Latitude E5440 running Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit but for some reason no wifi networks seem to be coming up despite how many networks I know are available, as well as the ones confirmed to exist by my tablet which does connect to wifi networks. I tried going into the Network and Sharing Center, then Change adapter settings, then enable any devices that may be disabled, however all devices are listed as enabled, and yet no wifi networks are shown to be available. If someone could help me figure out this issue so I can connect to wifi on my laptop that would be great!

One of your function keys (F-keys) has a wifi icon on it. I don't know which key it is -- I went to the Dell website and searched on your laptop, and read every document, but none of them said which key you press for this.

In the lower left of the keyboard, you will find a key with "FN" on it, with the letters in blue. Each one of the F-keys has a blue symbol on it -- one of them will have the wifi symbol on it. When you find the key, press it while holding the FN key down. That will toggle wifi between on and off.

mrjimphelps said:

One of your function keys (F-keys) has a wifi icon on it. I don't know which key it is -- I went to the Dell website and searched on your laptop, and read every document, but none of them said which key you press for this.

In the lower left of the keyboard, you will find a key with "FN" on it, with the letters in blue. Each one of the F-keys has a blue symbol on it -- one of them will have the wifi symbol on it. When you find the key, press it while holding the FN key down. That will toggle wifi between on and off.

I am familiar with the function (FN) button at the bottom left of most Windows computers, however I don't see any other keys on the keyboard with a blue Wifi symbol or one of a different color that most keys have. Please let me know what I can do to fix this issue so I can connect to Wifi on my device.

Barman58 said:

There is also a dedicated page for support for this laptop, with links to all available drivers in addition to the link I've already provided

Support for Latitude E5440 | Drivers & downloads | Dell UK

I tried pressing FN+F2 but that didn't seem to make the list of available networks populate and list the available networks like it used to. I also flipped the switch you described and it still did not make the list of networks show up. I checked the connection itself and it seems to work fine on other devices. Also I won't be able to send this device in to a repair shop since this laptop belongs to my lawyer who's lending it to me since my laptop is currently being repaired. Also I tried downloading some of the drivers but I stopped since I was getting dialogue boxes from the opened executable files that seemed to be mentioning things like "Sierra Skylight" so I cancelled the installation process and deleted the other files thinking you may have accidentally sent me the wrong link. Please let me know how I can make my computer display local Wifi networks in my area so that I can connect to the one I have setup. Any and all help on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

RolandJS said:

It appears that if you cannot allow changes to be made to the drivers section, then you will have no wifi. If you have anything similar to Frys' Electronics, ComperUSA, Altex Electronics, Radio Shack, etc., in your area, bring the laptop to somebody in the tech area and let s/he confirm what Barman gave in the way of driver support.

I see. I will do that. Thanks for letting me know.