Skip To Main Content
Support Knowledge Base

Wireless Radio Cannot be Enabled by Software Due to a Hardware Switch

Content Type: Troubleshooting   |   Article ID: 000005726   |   Last Reviewed: 02/14/2025

What is the problem?

Many laptops have a hardware switch to enable or disable the wireless radio. If the switch is disabled and you are using Intel® wireless technology, you may experience one or more of the following issues:

  • No wireless connectivity
  • Wireless radio cannot be activated from Microsoft Windows, or from Intel® PROSet/Wireless WiFi Connection Utility or other applications
  • Wireless adapter cannot detect or connect with any other wireless device in the environment

What is causing the problem?

Symptoms may occur when the hardware manufacturer has implemented a hardware switch to enable or disable the wireless radio. The functionality allows you to switch off the wireless radio in radio sensitive environments, such as an airplane.

How to fix it.

Note

Hardware radio control switches are implemented by the Original Equipment Manufacturer. Refer to your computer documentation or contact your computer manufacturer.

The hardware switch can be implemented in many ways, including:

  • Hardware switch at the side or front of laptop
  • Button around the keyboard area
  • Key combinations utilizing Fn, Ctrl, Alt in conjunction with specialized function keys ranging from F1 to F12
  • Wireless related settings in the BIOS that can disable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth

 

Related Products

This article applies to 34 products.
Intel® Wireless Series Intel® Tri-Band Wireless-AC 17000 Series Intel® Tri-Band Wireless-AC 18000 Series Intel® Centrino® Ultimate-N 6300, Dual Band Intel® Wireless Gigabit 11000

Discontinued Products

Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 105, Single Band Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2230, Single Band Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 130, Single Band Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection Intel® WiFi Link 5100 Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6230, Dual Band Intel® Centrino® Ultimate-N 6300 Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1000, Single Band Intel® WiMAX/WiFi Link 5150 Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2200, Single Band Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2200 for Desktop Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200, Dual Band Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N + WiMAX 6150, Single Band Intel® WiFi Link 5300 Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 100 Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6205, Dual Band Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6235, Dual Band Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 135, Single Band Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 100, Single Band Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6205 for Desktop Intel® WiMAX/WiFi Link 5350 Intel® WiFi Link 1000 Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250, Dual Band Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1030, Single Band Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1000

Need more help?

Contact support
Contact support