Wifi not working in laptop

[Barfo]

A friend told me her laptop's wifi stopped working and she has to plug it through ethernet to access the internet.
I haven't seen the machine yet, but is there a quick and easy way to determine if it's a software thing (I'd probably just reformat) or her wireless card is fried?

 

[cprince]

check device manager to see if it's listed and reported working properly.

 

[Fardringle]

Most laptops have a button (or button combination) to enable and disable the internal wireless card. I get a LOT of support calls from clients whose wireless is "broken" when they really just turned it off without realizing it. Press that wireless radio button and see if the laptop reports that wireless networks are available. Or, if you don't know what the button/combination is, post the laptop brand and model number here and we'll find it for you.

 

[Barfo]

It's not even listed in device manager, what could be the problem?

 

[corkyg]

Maybe it is not ON. Every OEM has a bit of a different way of doing this. My Lenovo T60 has a slide switch on the front edge. That is a "master" switch. The Wi-Fi automatically turns off if not used within a certain timeframe. To reactivate it is a key combo, Fn+F5.

What brand of laptop are we dealing with?

 

[Barfo]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Maybe it is not ON. Every OEM has a bit of a different way of doing this. My Lenovo T60 has a slide switch on the front edge. That is a "master" switch. The Wi-Fi automatically turns off if not used within a certain timeframe. To reactivate it is a key combo, Fn+F5.

What brand of laptop are we dealing with?

Hmmm, I tried the switch on the front with no results, didn't think of using a key combination.

It's an HP laptop.

 

[corkyg]

HP laptops usually have an on/off toggle on the top row below the screen. What model of HP is it?

 

[Paperlantern]

On off toggles usually refer to the radio, not the entire device. If its not in device manager at all, it is most likely toast. Try reseating it, but my feeling is you will be searching for a new one, weather its through HP and warranty, or buying a new mini pci or PC card wireless card.