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
    2016-08-01T23:09:53+00:00

    YOU PEOPLE just don't get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    The button will not come on it is a HP issue

    You cannot troubleshoot if Wi-Fi is not on

    HP does not support Windows10 for my 3 year old notebook I will never buy HP anything again!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-07-30T22:48:10+00:00

    this does not work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    the button stays ORANGE in WIN 10 I cannot even click on wireless because it is not on .....due to button not turning it on.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-07-30T22:23:43+00:00

    Also if you follow leeyotechs advice,you need to go right through the trouble shooter. It will say the same thing you already had but eventually it will come up with the fix,which it doesn't seem to find when you access the troubleshooter the other way. The fix didn't work for me though,my above comment was what worked for me

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-07-30T22:13:04+00:00

    I know this is a 4yr old thread but I had this problem with windows 10. I tried all the suggestions on this page but none worked. Finally,going into the device via network connections,I managed to get it on. I unticked the box that said 'allow this computer to turn off this device to save energy'. I was then able to switch the WiFi on again,it was no longer greyed out. Hope this helps someone

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