Wireless adapter no longer recognised

Question

Last night, I put my laptop into Standby, unplugged the power and monitor and took laptop into livingroom.  Once there, I noticed that the icon in sys tray which normally shows wireless connection had a cross on it and said something like 'wireless adaptor not supported' (typing this from work so do not have laptop here to check).  Also, I was not connecting wirelessly.   When I plugged it all back in again, the wireless connection works (no idea why this should make a difference) and I am getting mail, internet, etc.  However, this option is still saying the same.   I am unable to find any wireless networks in windows (so cannot see any other wireless points) and yet wireless is working!!  When I go to network connections, I can see I am connected but no wireless options.   Why would this option suddenly not be available and how do it fix this?  I did a search on the interenet and I can see this issue exists and may have something to do with unplugging it in Standby - but cannot find a fix?

bacillus · Answer

Could it be that you have inadvertently turned off the wireless card? The on/off switch is Fn+F2

chrisbrogan · Answer

No - checked that.  It's switched on.  It's odd because although I am connecting, I cannot find any wireless connections in Network Connections and the Wireless icon has a red cross on it saying the device is not available

chrisbrogan · Answer

Also tried rolling back the system a few days but that has not helped either - not sure what that tells me?

cancerianlove · Answer

Hey,       You can try and uninstall and reinstall the wireless card drivers once and also if possible it can be an issue with spyware too..so try running a spyware check on system too.

cancerianlove · Answer

Hey chris,                 Also once you uninstall your driver..try and update the latest driver and also jsut let me know what wireless card your using,so i can give some info.if there is some existing issue with that card.   Cancerian

chrisbrogan · Answer

Thank you. I am going to try reinstalling the drivers tonight. The strange thing is that the wireless is working normally - it's just that the icon is telling me that it isn't and I cannot find any wireless options in Network Connections which is really odd.

I will check Spyware but I am protected up to the hilt so doubt it will be that - and I don't think it was a coincidence that it happened immediately after I put the laptop into Standby - I have a feeling there may be an issue there?

chrisbrogan · Answer

I am home now.  I am looking on network adaptors and the wireless card does not show up - it's a Intel/Proset - came with Dell laptop.  It doesn't make sense - I am connecting wirelessly?!

cancerianlove · Answer

check in device manager..if you can find anyother option called other devices and let me know..if u can find anything under that..and also check if there is any other card in the pc card slot of the system   cancerian

chrisbrogan · Answer

I have now tried everything. I have installed new software, checked the BIOS, etc. I believe this must be a hardware fault. I have installed a spare Belkin external adapter which is working fine. I think I will have to have the internal one replaced.

Many thanks for your help with this - appreciate your support.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wireless adapter no longer recognised

Was this post helpful?