Wifi Toggle switch is greyed out

Anonymous
2012-11-04T04:04:43+00:00

Original Title: How to turn on WiFi Capability on Windows 8

Hello,

I upgraded my Laptop Toshiba L500D from Windows 7 Home Premium (x64) to Windows 8 Pro (x64) a few days ago, then I realized yesterday I could not connect to WiFi connection. I have tried search on the internet how to fix it, but no luck. Here are the following list I have tried so far:

  1. Update to latest Driver by going to "Device Manager", click right "Realtek RTL8187SE Wireless LAN PCIE Network Adapter" then click "Update Driver Software...".
  2. Go to Toshiba Website, download "Realtek Wireless Lan Driver" for Windows 7 (x64) and install it by running in Windows 7 compatibility mode.
  3. Go to BIOS, by pressing F2 before Windows 8 loaded, and enable Wireless Communication.
  4. Troubleshooting "Network Adapter (WiFi)" and it gave this advice:

           "Turn on wireless capability

Use the switch on the front or side of the computer,            or function keys if available,            to enable wireless capability on this computer."

  1. Go to Settings -> Change PC Settings -> Wireless, and I got this:

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/2959/62721723.png

How am I suppose to switch it on, if the switch is disabled? The airplane is also off, so I suppose the Wireless switch should be enable so I can turn it on and off, but no, the wifi switch is still disabled.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Cheers,

simply.puzzle

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2012-11-29T21:38:42+00:00

I had a similar issue.. I used the diagnostics to resolve the issue... here are the steps I took.

  1. Right Click network icon in taskbar and select "open network and sharing center"
  2. highlight wifi connection then at top click "diagnose this connection"

the troubleshooter will discover that the WiFi connection is turned off and offer a "apply fix" option click that and windows will enable the wifi connection...

I had the same issues as the OP and Geecat where the Fn switch just didn't work, so I worked through it as outlined above... Looks like with Win 8 the troubleshooter is even more necessary... Not sure how I feel about that, but it is what it is.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-05-21T02:30:39+00:00

    I've been working on this for a month with Windows 8 on an HP Envy dv7 "Notebook PC" (fancy name for a laptop, I guess).  I checked the chat sites and applied every suggested remedy.  Then, on my own I discovered that even though there was absolutely no way to get wifi on startup, I could go to restart and presto...I would be connected to wifi.  Anyone have suggestions on how to get wifi on startup without having to reboot each and every time in order to get wifi?

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-05-05T09:50:30+00:00

    Hello,

    I  have Toshiba satellite L500-1xc , same is the problem with me in window 8 ,64- bit .But only fn+f8 is not working while other combination with fn is working like fn+f5 etc .The abve solution has not solved my problem , should i install toshiba VAP and flash card support utility ?

    plz help

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-04-27T03:36:37+00:00

    If this issue was so simple then every one would have fix the issue because this is common  knowledge. The problem is that every PC and further models are facing different problems regarding windows 8 and WIFI fix. I think first read all threads, queries and answers to get your PC fix. I recommend Microsoft to take some action to solve this public issue, it may be in form of some update or software.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-04-18T15:34:22+00:00

    Hi, patelarjun66

    Please refer to MS article http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode

    Be sure you start in "Safe Mode with Networking".

    Alexey

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