How to turn on Wireless Capability on Windows 7?

[BlindPixel]

My sister-in-laws can't connect to the internet cause the Wireless Capability won't turn on. I have tried to Press Fn + F3 yet nothing happens. In Windows Mobility Center, the Wireless section shows it is off and the 'Turn wireless on' is grayed out.

I can't connect directly to the router as the laptop doesn't have an ethernet port (which is stupid). I can't figure out how to get this done.

 

[strollin]

What make and model laptop is it? There may be a hardware switch that you need to press to turn the wifi on.

 

[BlindPixel]

The Make is Acer Aspire V5-531 Series. The Model Number is MS2361. The only real switch on the computer is the Fn + F3, not actual physical switch.

 

[strollin]

According to the manual I found online at the Acer website, the FN + F3 key combo is the way to turn "communications devices" on/off. Are you positive this model Acer has wifi built-in? Has it worked in the past?

 

[BlindPixel]

It has built-in wifi as in Device Manager under Network Adapters it shows Realtek RTL8188EE 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter. I installed it but after doing so, it showed the Ethernet Controller doesn't have a driver. I went through Acer's website but couldn't find the download needed for the Ethernet Controller.

Before it was tethered through a phone instead of connecting to wifi as they never downloaded the drivers for the stuff. I think my sister-in-law said it didn't work before cause of missing drivers (not sure how they became missing).

If I were to diagnose problems through the Change Adapter Settings screen, it would tell me to Turn on Wireless Capability but not fix this for me. It is like the Wireless Capability is permanently set to off with no way to turn it on. If I go through Network and Sharing Center to diagnose that way, it says it can't find any problems.

 

[GokAy]

According to specs that model has both a 802.11n wireless and gigabit ethernet. Look harder for the ethernet port until you sort the wireless.

 

[torchwood]

On my Acer,
And i know this sounds stupid, but it worked for me,
Actually press on the Wifi icon, it does seem to act like an ON/OFF switch, although it doesn't look like or feel like one.
(its fnF2 on mine)

Roy

 

[UsernameIssues]

...the laptop doesn't have an ethernet port...

...Look harder for the ethernet port until you sort the wireless.

It is on the left side...
...but requires an adapter
...that comes with the laptop:

 

[BlindPixel]

...the laptop doesn't have an ethernet port...

...Look harder for the ethernet port until you sort the wireless.

It is on the left side...
...but requires an adapter
...that comes with the laptop:

I will check to see if my sister-in-law has the adapter. Something tells me she doesn't have the adapter on her, but who knows.