hp wireless button changes airplane mode

I have a solution that does not require you to unplug your battery and is a little faster. This may seem like a long process but it's actually very quick once you get used to it.. it's basically just clicking through the right options.

Open control panel and go to Network and Sharing Center.

Go to Change your network settings and choose Troubleshoot Problems.

On the page that opens, choosing the first option, Internet Connections. Click Nect on the window that opens.

It will give you a window with two more options, choose Troubleshoot my connection to the Internet.

It will now look for and detect the problem that you need to "Turn on Wireless capability" Choose the option, Apply this fix. This will reconnect your connection so you can use wireless again.

 I came across this message base because I to am looking for a better solution to the problem. I realized, my solution was faster than everyone who posted above me and wanted to share it. We really do need a way to turn off this airplane mode function for good
 and restore our function keys to normal PC functioning.

My taskbar does not have an airplane with Ethernet plugged in.  However the screenshot you provided of the side taskbar, when expanded... mine looks like that.  It says "Wi-Fi (Off)".

If I unplug my Ethernet cable and turn ON Airplane mode, the Airplane Icon shows up.  If I click on that, I get the side taskbar and it shows "Wi-Fi (Off)".  If I turn Airplane mode off, the airplane icon disappears and is replaced with the bars and x "not connected-no connections are available."

If I do a hard shutdown, removing the battery, etc...it may come up with the F12 button working.  Until I do a restart when it reverts to amber and F12 non-functional for turning wireless on and off.  What a pain to go thru that whole sequence every time I use this computer outside of my office in a wireless environment.

By now you should understand that I appreciate your efforts, but please understand that I have gone thru all these steps many many times and have tried everything someone has suggested.  It is not me that is malfunctioning... it is HP hardware or Windows 8.

I still say HP wireless F12 button software or BIOS.

I followed your steps but mine comes up with "Troubleshooting couldn't identify the problem."  I did not get the "Turn on Wireless capability" prompt.

Thanks for trying.  I agree HP needs to restore normal function to a huge group of product owners.  I am not happy with $1,000 invested in a laptop that does not perform normally.  I can spend a lot less to get a POS laptop.  LOL

Already did BIOS upgrade to F22.  I will try removing HP Power Manager and let you all know.

If I do exactly what you describe, it works.  Soon as I put the battery back in it goes back to non-functional.  Almost seems like HP Power Manager might be part of the problem.  If I go to Device Manager, right click on Ralink wifi device, Properties... Power Management it shows "Let Windows Shut This Down To Save Power" and it is CHECKED.  I unchecked it.  No difference.

Apparently my DV7-7047cl is different from your model.

I have not tried just leaving the battery out but might do that just to see what happens on several subsequent boots.

If I have to do your BIOS routine every time I start, that is ridiculous.  I am thinking about Toshiba or another brand for the future.  Not happy with HP and over a month of no action from them on this.