How do I change to wireless? No wireless option, no wireless adapter

[Klaidas]

So, I've been using Ethernet for a while now to access the internet on my PC. I never really use it because I'm always using wireless, but few months back my wireless just suddenly stopped working so I've been using an Ethernet cable ever since.

Anyway, I wanna get back to using wireless but the problem is: I don't know how. I have no wireless adapters and no wireless option to set up a new wireless connection.

I go into: Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center > Set up a New Connection or Network > Connect to the Internet > But, the only option I get are Broadband (PPPoE) or Dial-Up. Shouldn't a wireless option be here?

I then look to: Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections but there's only one icon there: Local Area Connection and that's my Ethernet cable which I'm using right now. Shouldn't there be a lot more here?

I've gone into Device Manager and checked my Network adapters but there's only one: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller. My other PC (literally, the exact same PC to this one) in the room next door works fine and has got a bunch of other adapters, I have no idea what's happened to this.

Yeah, I'm a newbie to this. Basically, I want to start using a wireless connection but I have no idea how.

 

[strollin]

What is the make and model of the PC? Is it a laptop? Is there by any chance a switch that turns the wifi on/off?

If the wifi worked in the past and suddenly stopped working, I would suspect that the adapter failed but it could also be switched off or the driver got corrupted or otherwise disabled somehow.

 

[theveterans]

You need to have either a router with Wireless radio or an access point if your modem has router functionality. You also need a wireless adapter for your desktop.

After setting up the wireless on the access point (e.g. SSID radio type, channel width, encryption), your desktop with a USB or PCIE wireless adapter will automatically see the broadcast radio and you should be able to connect wirelessly.

 

[Klaidas]

What is the make and model of the PC? Is it a laptop? Is there by any chance a switch that turns the wifi on/off?

If the wifi worked in the past and suddenly stopped working, I would suspect that the adapter failed but it could also be switched off or the driver got corrupted or otherwise disabled somehow.

It's not a laptop, no. And there's no on/off switch for Wi-Fi.

You need to have either a router with Wireless radio or an access point if your modem has router functionality. You also need a wireless adapter for your desktop.

After setting up the wireless on the access point (e.g. SSID radio type, channel width, encryption), your desktop with a USB or PCIE wireless adapter will automatically see the broadcast radio and you should be able to connect wirelessly.

Man, either I didn't get a word of that or you're over complicating things. I don't think this is a complicated problem, simply put it, I think that some of my drivers just got deleted or failed somehow. My PC in the next room, which is IDENTICAL to this one works fine, Wi-Fi is fine and I looked at all the drivers installed under Network Adapters and I have about 6 there. On this PC, however, I only have one driver installed. I swear, if these PC's are identical the drivers, software, etc should also be identical but that's not the case. I have a wireless router downstairs and that works absolutely fine, there's 2 iPads, 4 iPhones and 3 MacBook Air's connected to the router and it works completely OK. So, I doubt this is a problem with the router.

It's gotta be a problem with some of the drivers, but I just can't figure it out. Shall I take a screenshot some screenshots so you guys get a better idea of the problem?

thanks though

 

[strollin]

Again I ask, what is the make and model of the PC? Without knowing the make and model of the PC, there's no way to help you find drivers for it.

 

[Klaidas]

Again I ask, what is the make and model of the PC? Without knowing the make and model of the PC, there's no way to help you find drivers for it.

My bad, I forgot to throw that in.

HP-Pavilion WE168AA-ABU p6325uk

 

[strollin]

Here's a link to HP's support page for that computer where you can download the driver for the wifi adapter. HP Pavilion p6325uk Desktop PC Drivers & Downloads | HP® Support

If the driver won't install or reports that it can't find the Ralink 802.11n Wireless LAN Card, it may be that your card has failed. In that case, you could get a USB wifi adapter to replace it or purchase another internal card but the USB would be the easiest solution.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I prefer USB Wi-Fi adapters over internal cards because they are easily replaced and don't eat up a PCI-e slot I might need for something else. They also don't have attached antennas to get in the way and, if better range is needed, they can be connected by a short cable, allowing them to be located on top of a rig or high up on a wall (a cable and base comes with most of them now).

 

[Klaidas]

I installed the drivers posted above but nothing has changed.

I'm assuming that since installing those drivers and the fact there still is no wireless option and nothing seems to have changed that my card has failed, right?

 

[strollin]

Do you see the wifi adapter in Device Manager? If the drivers installed with no error messages then your card should be OK.

Do you see an icon in the System Tray showing ascending bars? The bars might be grey like in the 2nd pic because you're not connected to the internet yet.

 

[Klaidas]

Nope, I don't see that. Here are some screenshots. At the moment I'm using ethernet.

This is the only driver I have in network adapters, on my other PC which is the same as this one (literally the same) network adapters is full of a bunch of other drivers

 

[strollin]

You won't see the wifi icon in the system tray while the ethernet cable is plugged in. However, since there is no wifi adapter listed in Device Manager, that's irrelevant.

I find it strange that when you installed the driver for the wifi adapter that you didn't receive any error messages.

At this point, I would recommend getting a USB wifi adapter.

 

[Klaidas]

Do you have any recommendations for brands when looking for a USB adapter? Also, are you certain buying one will fix the issue?

Thanks for everything.

 

[strollin]

No specific brands to recommend but here's a link to a bunch, any of which should do the job for you. Wireless Adapters, USB 2.0 - Newegg.com

Unfortunately, whenever trying to troubleshoot something from afar through a forum, there is no certainty that can be given. Hopefully, if you buy a USB adapter and it doesn't work for you the place where you bought it from will allow you to return it.

I am fairly confident it will work for you but cannot give 100% certainty.