WiFi LAN card undetected

[u0206397]

Today my laptop wireless card cannot be detected and found in Device Manager anymore.

Past few days it has been erratic. Sometimes can be detected. Sometimes not.

How much would it usually cost to diagnose and fix wireless card problem? Assuming it is a bad card that needs to be replaced.

Is there any reliable/reputable shop for laptop repair to recommend? It is out of warranty but is it better to get the OEM service centre to do it? PM me. Thanks.

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

this really depends on what kind of laptop u using and it make and model of the wifi card. since no details provided in your post all i can say is that u can go down to SLS and look for those laptop repair shops to check with them.

unless u know how to repair on your own look for your wifi card make and model, search from taobao and pray and hope the one they send can work.

 

[IncTEh]

Today my laptop wireless card cannot be detected and found in Device Manager anymore.

Past few days it has been erratic. Sometimes can be detected. Sometimes not.

How much would it usually cost to diagnose and fix wireless card problem? Assuming it is a bad card that needs to be replaced.

Is there any reliable/reputable shop for laptop repair to recommend? It is out of warranty but is it better to get the OEM service centre to do it? PM me. Thanks.

Replacing WiFi card can be tedious or very simple, it depends on the model of laptop you have. The difficulty in changing lies in the access to the card, some laptop is just with a push of a button while others requires you to do surgery.

It might not be WiFi card issue tho, I had a laptop which has the same issue as you described, but changing WiFi card does not help, which made me assume to be a mainboard issue.

 

[cscs3]

What model and make of your laptop. It may be due to bad contact. So if you are able to remove the card and reseat it. Try this first.

Otherwise, you need a new Wi-Fi card. If you laptop happen to be Thinkpad or Lenovo, then the BIOS is particular on which type of card you use.

 

[u0206397]

Just to add. It is a HP 14-r Windows budget laptop. Wireless card is Realtek RTL8723BE.

Doesn't seem like difficult to dismantle. Probably just need to unscrew around 8 screws for the bottom panel covering.

 

[cscs3]

Just to add. It is a HP 14-r Windows budget laptop. Wireless card is Realtek RTL8723BE.

Doesn't seem like difficult to dismantle. Probably just need to unscrew around 8 screws for the bottom panel covering.

That's good information. Think HP takes any Wi-Fi card available in the market (except those mention work for Lenovo only). First think to do is to remove the card and plug back again. Think only one screw holding the card.

 

[Intrinion]

Could be a driver issue as well.

Did a driver update spree on one of my laptops once from HP's official website (coincidental eh!)

On the lastest drivers, it drops connections every other second rendering it unusable.

 

[Intrinion]

If you were to purchase a new wifi card
Check for the following:

- Size of card (pictured)

Older laptops are mostly full height
While newer ones are half height pci e cards.

- No. of antenna cables connected to it (not really important)
For instance for the card pictured above. One has 3 points, while other has 2. If yours has only 2 cables, you can use it on a 3.

- Google if there is any wifi card whitelist for HP
White list refers to approved card models.

- Check if the card is a wifi bluetooth combo by googling the model number on the card. You will lose bluetooth functionality if you change to a card without. Not important if you do not use bluetooth

 

[u0206397]

Could be a driver issue as well.

Did a driver update spree on one of my laptops once from HP's official website (coincidental eh!)

On the lastest drivers, it drops connections every other second rendering it unusable.

Currently it is not even showing up in Device Manager. Like the motherboard can't even find it and Windows does not think there is such a card installed.

 

[u0206397]

I am screwed.

I tried opening up the body. Then realised I need to take out the keyboard and touchpad too before I can see the wireless card.

Now I put back everything, can't even power up. Can't see the BIOS screen. Power button lit up when pressed.

But no sign of the fan moving or anything starting.

Like that send for repair will cost how much? Or get a new one?

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

well u can let those laptop repair shop in SLS have a look and check with them how much 1st b4 deciding it.

anyway if u still thinking of getting a new one, best wait till the next upcoming pc show. as by that time u can get better laptop with better price.

 

[cscs3]

If you were to purchase a new wifi card
Check for the following:

- Size of card (pictured)

Older laptops are mostly full height
While newer ones are half height pci e cards.

- No. of antenna cables connected to it (not really important)
For instance for the card pictured above. One has 3 points, while other has 2. If yours has only 2 cables, you can use it on a 3.

- Google if there is any wifi card whitelist for HP
White list refers to approved card models.

- Check if the card is a wifi bluetooth combo by googling the model number on the card. You will lose bluetooth functionality if you change to a card without. Not important if you do not use bluetooth

HP 14+ should be the half size card.

 

[cscs3]

well u can let those laptop repair shop in SLS have a look and check with them how much 1st b4 deciding it.

anyway if u still thinking of getting a new one, best wait till the next upcoming pc show. as by that time u can get better laptop with better price.

Better go to PC Dream. If just because something loss during remove of cover. They may do it for you free.

Some laptop has power interlock switch due to internal build in battery for safety. You may want to recheck to see if the cover is put back correctly.

 

[ralliart_ray]

why no 1 suggest to get a usb wifi adaptor

 

[cscs3]

why no 1 suggest to get a usb wifi adaptor

Is slow vs internal card with is on PCIe bus. Also you take up one additional USB port and left possible defective card in the PC.

 

[u0206397]

Better go to PC Dream. If just because something loss during remove of cover. They may do it for you free.

Some laptop has power interlock switch due to internal build in battery for safety. You may want to recheck to see if the cover is put back correctly.

My model has the older design with removable battery. Would this have the power interlock switch? I don't remember flipping any switch. Just disconnected and reconnected those white flat cables with pins.

 

[u0206397]

Someone told me for laptop if I mess up the reassembly (reconnecting the power button cable to motherboard, reattaching the keyboard and touchpad cable), it is easy to fry the motherboard and render it useless permanently.

BTW, the wireless card is not accessible easily by just sliding off the bottom panel covering. The bottom panel is like a container that everything stacks on top. The only easy access part is the RAM slots and the DVD drive. The rest have to dismantle the keyboard and touch pad, followed by the motherboard even. Effectively almost stripping down the laptop down.

Guess consumer laptops are not designed to be easily serviced.

Is this true?

 

[Encrypted11]

It's not difficult if you have a service manual, a matter of following steps and instructions. These kinds of "repairs" are not economical unless done personally.

Do note, HP/Lenovo uses PCIe/mSATA/M.2 hardware ID whitelist in BIOS. You need to use a variant of the WLAN card that carries that HP replacement P/N.

 

[u0206397]

It's not difficult if you have a service manual, a matter of following steps and instructions. These kinds of "repairs" are not economical unless done personally.

Do note, HP/Lenovo uses PCIe/mSATA/M.2 hardware ID whitelist in BIOS. You need to use a variant of the WLAN card that carries that HP replacement P/N.

It's doable if compared to MacBook or Ultrabooks with small gaps, certain edges sealed, or with certain parts glued or soldered together.

However, it is also not that easy to isolate only to that part. To reach the wireless card, I had to remove DVD drive, keyboard, touchpad, a metal plate under keyboard etc. Definitely not something a normal user would want to try without breaking something like me.

If it's a simple unscrew bottom panel covering and immediately can see and reseat the card without touching the other components, then definitely it's doable.

Now I have screwed up more things in the process of checking on a wireless card hidden inside. Darn...

 

[u0206397]

It's not difficult if you have a service manual, a matter of following steps and instructions. These kinds of "repairs" are not economical unless done personally.

Do note, HP/Lenovo uses PCIe/mSATA/M.2 hardware ID whitelist in BIOS. You need to use a variant of the WLAN card that carries that HP replacement P/N.

Does Acer or Asus have this kind of hardware whitelisting too?