Dell laptop can't find the network adapter (it's got one)
Discussion
Moved my laptop (a 2018 model) and it promptly crashed. On restarting it was unable to connect to the internet. Tried all the usual stuff but all the solutions I've researched require me to reinstall the network adapter driver, and the network adapter isn't showing in device manager.
I've had a look inside, no loose connections, the adapter card is held in with a screw. Seems to me it's a hardware issue, and that I could try fitting a new adapter or have it fixed by somebody who knows about this stuff. I can send it back to Dell for £44 (includes carriage both ways) for a hardware diagnosis, I'm sort of inclined to do that.
Any thoughts on whether I should I send it back to Dell, try to find somebody local (I'm near Aylesbury) or try a new adapter?
I've had a look inside, no loose connections, the adapter card is held in with a screw. Seems to me it's a hardware issue, and that I could try fitting a new adapter or have it fixed by somebody who knows about this stuff. I can send it back to Dell for £44 (includes carriage both ways) for a hardware diagnosis, I'm sort of inclined to do that.
Any thoughts on whether I should I send it back to Dell, try to find somebody local (I'm near Aylesbury) or try a new adapter?
Wifi adaptor ?
Try plugging in a physical ethernet cable.
Had similar on my in laws Dell - and it turned out to be a driver issues rather that anything hardware related. I didn't have the time to fix it at the time ( due to CV19 they didnt want me in the house ) but plugged in a small usb wifi adaptor and that got wifi back up.. Then a few weeks later - following a windows update everything seemed to be back to normal. - hence I suspect a driver was wrong in a windows update.
Try plugging in a physical ethernet cable.
Had similar on my in laws Dell - and it turned out to be a driver issues rather that anything hardware related. I didn't have the time to fix it at the time ( due to CV19 they didnt want me in the house ) but plugged in a small usb wifi adaptor and that got wifi back up.. Then a few weeks later - following a windows update everything seemed to be back to normal. - hence I suspect a driver was wrong in a windows update.
If you've found the adaptor inside then it should be easy to change.
They are usually less than a tenner on ebay.
It's almost certainly held in with 1 or 2 screws and the cables just push into the card.
Failing that, as USB wifi adaptor will substitute: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxesla-Adapter-802-11ac-...
[ I'm assuming that it is the wifi card that you are talking about]
They are usually less than a tenner on ebay.
It's almost certainly held in with 1 or 2 screws and the cables just push into the card.
Failing that, as USB wifi adaptor will substitute: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxesla-Adapter-802-11ac-...
[ I'm assuming that it is the wifi card that you are talking about]
nyt said:
If you've found the adaptor inside then it should be easy to change.
They are usually less than a tenner on ebay.
It's almost certainly held in with 1 or 2 screws and the cables just push into the card.
Failing that, as USB wifi adaptor will substitute: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxesla-Adapter-802-11ac-...
[ I'm assuming that it is the wifi card that you are talking about]
It is indeed the wifi card I mean, thanks. I should have mentioned earlier that the bluetooth isn't working either.They are usually less than a tenner on ebay.
It's almost certainly held in with 1 or 2 screws and the cables just push into the card.
Failing that, as USB wifi adaptor will substitute: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxesla-Adapter-802-11ac-...
[ I'm assuming that it is the wifi card that you are talking about]
I bought a few Asus laptops for work recently. One of them turned up with a DOA webcam. No sign of it in Device Manager, etc. Given the order 4 laptops were the same spec and running the same software out of the box etc it was easy to diagnose as a hardware failure.
As has been said above a USB wireless dongle would do the job and be completely hassle free.
As has been said above a USB wireless dongle would do the job and be completely hassle free.
TonyRPH said:
You haven't accidentally powered it off have you?
Some laptops have a switch, often in the most inconvenient place (it's usually switched accidentally when picking up the laptop).
Also - have you checked in the bios to see if it's still enabled?
Yep flight mode or similar which just randomly engages. I'd be checking to see in System Settings for anything complaining about being not being found etc..Some laptops have a switch, often in the most inconvenient place (it's usually switched accidentally when picking up the laptop).
Also - have you checked in the bios to see if it's still enabled?
TonyRPH said:
You haven't accidentally powered it off have you?
Some laptops have a switch, often in the most inconvenient place (it's usually switched accidentally when picking up the laptop).
Also - have you checked in the bios to see if it's still enabled?
Many many moons ago I wasted an entire afternoon pissing around with a customers laptop that was all setup on what was a new tech back then....WiFi!!Some laptops have a switch, often in the most inconvenient place (it's usually switched accidentally when picking up the laptop).
Also - have you checked in the bios to see if it's still enabled?
Turns out there was a switch to disable WiFi which I must have knocked when pushing the laptop back a bit on the desk when tidying up ready for a cushy drive home. Never got caught out by that one again!!!
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