Dell Latitude E5440 WiFi problem

Question

Hi, I recently had to use the Dell OS recovery tool due to a virus infection (installed Win 7 via USB UEFI boot with the Dell recovery tool). Everything has worked fine in the installation except now the WiFi card isn't recognized by Windows and I can't install the driver for it. It feels I have tried everything. Installed the Dell recommended drivers, installed the Intel recommended drivers, but nothing seems to get it to work. I know the card is an "Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260". In the Windows driver manager 2 devices shows up as "Unknown device", one of the is an SM bus controller with machine ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_9C22&SUBSYS_05DE1028&REV_04. Could this be the WiFi card? But it doesn't accept any of the drivers from Dell or Intel..

I'm thinking it could be due to either 3 factors,

- the card is faulty and needs replacement (but it worked before I had to do the recovery)

- due to I have installed Windows in UEFI harddrive mode, it somehow doesn't support this?

- the card needs some kind of special installation with the drivers that I don't know about (the ordinary network cable card works great, its just WiFi that is the problem.

Has anyone had this problem? Greatful for any answers.

Br, Joakim

JOcean · Accepted Answer

Replace the card or for the easiest fix for now try a USB Wifi adapter. They are very inexpensive and will get you by until you grab a replacement card.

JOcean · Answer

Have you tried to install the chipset drivers from the support page yet. Those drivers are located here.

aerev · Answer

Hi, thanks for the link. I tried installing the Intel Chipset Device Software called "Chipset_Driver_GH5T3_WN32_10.1.1.18_A04_01", and after that the "SM bus controller unknown device" disappeared from the list, but still no WiFi card. Strange that this wasnt on the list of my servicetag. The only unknown device I have left on the list now is just called "unknown device" with machine ID "ACPI\SMO8810". I have also activated the manual switch on the Latitude to activate WiFi, but that didn't make a difference.

Feels like I got one step closer, but there is still something missing. Any other advice to get the WiFi card working?

Thanks

/Joakim

JOcean · Answer

Try reseating the card. If that does not help run system diagnostics as it is possible the card is defective. Restart the system and at the Dell splash screen start tapping F12. Run full diagnostics. If the card is not even detected it probably has failed..

Is the card even displayed under Network Adapters in Device Manager?

aerev · Answer

Installed the 'ST Microelectronics Free Fall Data Protection', and then the last unknown device disappeared from the list. But still no WiFi.. I have now no trace of an unknown device or a WiFi card anywhere. Very strange. Could it be that the card is faulty or have problem with the UEFI boot hardrive? Or could it be something else? Br, Joakim

aerev · Answer

Alright, I'll try that. No the card is not visible in Device Manager under Network Adapters. It looks as if it doesn't exist. Really strange.

Reseating the card, is that to physically take the card out and put it back in?

Thanks in advance

aerev · Answer

I tried taking out the card and put it back in, and after that ran Diagnostics at the Dell boot screen. After all the tests were made I clicked on the Configuration tab, and there it said 'Wireless LAN = Not installed'. So I guess that means that the card is faulty and needs replacement?

aerev · Answer

Thanks a lot, I’ll do that!

Nrabenold · Answer

If you're still having trouble, here's a cheap replacement: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254581789263

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Dell Latitude E5440 WiFi problem

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