Ethernet Controller gone, Dell 5537

Question

I got this laptop as a gift. It had Windows 7 and I loaded Windows 10 at the local library from the Microsoft website. It ran great with both Wi Fi and Ethernet for a week.  I had connected to my sister’s Comcast modem with an ethernet cable and pressed the networking button to get on her Wi Fi. I had no password. It connected and ran a week at her home great.  At my home with no W Fi I was making a home network with my 4 other Dells, all Windows 10, when a message box appeared asking, 'connect to 'sister’s' Wi Fi. I closed the box, with No. Ever since I have Wi Fi Off- Turn on Manually. And the Ethernet is gone completely. No working, port, no listing on the Network page, and no controller in Device Manager.  I have done all I can do, Drivers/ uninstall-reinstall wi fi controllers/ reinstall Windows 10. I probably misstepped and also reinstalled Windows 10 with' clean this machine-like a gift erase all files'. So there is no going back to the Windows 7.  I see the Ethernet controller is part of the motherboard and not a plug-in item.  I am guessing the Comcast modem security key locked the networking.  Any recovery ideas better than a new  motherboard are needed. Thank you, community.

nyc10036 · Answer

@Deepfrequency wrote:  I am guessing the Comcast modem security key locked the networking.      Huh? Re-install Windows 10.

Deepfrequency · Answer

Of course did that. Multiple times. As I posted the last time was the complete “ giving to gift””full erase” Windows 10 install. It did not work!

The system still comes back up: Wi Fi “Manual” and nothing will turn it back on, and the Ethernet is completely missing.

I am not looking for the obvious here I have done those things. i.e. update drivers/ delete and reinstall network adapters/ run trouble shooters. (“Turn on Wi Fi button on side if machine or F2” is that answer and it does not work). Take out battery and wait/ boot to safe boot and turn on services one at a time- no help. Boot to Legacy Boot- no help. Boot to UHFI with secure boot- no help/ with out secure boot- no help.

I need some new ideas. Please.

nyc10036 · Answer

No idea except USB-ethernet adapter which I use on laptops that do not have Ethernet port.

Deepfrequency · Answer

FYI- Opening the machine and removing the wi fi antenna and wi fi chip then replacing them restored the wi fi service. But it did not restore the Ethernet. I see there are many unresolved complaints of this lost Ehternet and wi fi with this make and model of Dell machine. Perhaps Dell's integrating the Ethernet into the motherboard was not a good idea?

Inspiron

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