Problem description:
The wireless card disappeared from the laptop. The wireless card is missing from the network connections and device manager. It looks like there is no wireless card installed at all.
Possible cause:
1. Bad contact between wireless card and motherboard.
2. Corrupted software.
3. Bad wireless card.
4. Motherboard failure.
Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:
It’s possible that contacts on the wireless card got oxidized and the wireless card is not making good connection with the slot.
Remove the wireless card, clean contacts with pen erasure and install the wireless card back into the laptop. Test wireless card.
There is a chance that you have corrupted software. Not just the wireless driver, but some main core system files. Before replacing any hardware, try reinstalling the operating system from scratch.Test the wireless card again.
If reconnecting the wireless card and reinstalling the operating system didn’t help, most likely you have a faulty card. Try replacing the wireless card.
If you still experience the same problem even after replacing the card, most likely this is the motherboard failure. Replace the motherboard.
Here’s another suggestion. Instead of replacing the motherboard, you can try using a PCMCIA Wi-Fi card.
