Macbook Pro (8,2) Wi-Fi: No Hardware Installed issue

Question

Macbook Pro (8,2) Wi-Fi: No Hardware Installed issue

I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro 8,2 that is running 10.13.6 High Sierra.

For a while after upgrading to High Sierra, my MBP would connect to Wi-Fi and then drop the connection, leading to the inability to turn Wi-Fi on or alter any of the Wi-Fi service preferences. I read and tried the fixes outlined in the following Discussions:

Wi-Fi: No Hardware Installed on MacBook P… - Apple Community

10.13 High Sierra Wi-fi issue - Apple Community

including...

Removed files from /library/preferences/systemconfiguration, followed by reboot
Create new location profile, reboot
Added DNS servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4)
SMC reset
PRAM reset

None of those fixes worked.

Now the Wi-Fi does not turn on at all, ever, and I am stuck with the error "Wi-Fi: No Hardware Installed"

I ran the full extent of the Apple Hardware Test (hold D, then press T after a restart) and found no hardware issues. I have physically inspected the Wi-Fi card and ribbon cable connecting it to the logic board to ensure that they appear to be undamaged and properly connected, which they were.

I'm not completely satisfied with the workaround of using the Edimax EW-7811UTC AC600, because I still have some questions.

My questions:

If my Wi-Fi card were actually damaged or had failed, would it show up on Apple Hardware Test?
Where do I find information about any installed driver(s) that relate to the Wi-Fi hardware?
I am wondering if my energy preference settings are affecting my Wi-Fi hardware detection/activity. I have these power settings according to my System Information:

AC Power:

System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 0

Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 0

Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 60

Wake on AC Change: No

Wake on Clamshell Open: Yes

Wake on LAN: Yes

Current Power Source: Yes

Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes

GPUSwitch: 2

Hibernate Mode: 3

PrioritizeNetworkReachabilityOverSleep: 0

Standby Delay: 4200

Standby Enabled: 0

Battery Power:

System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 60

Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 0

Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 30

Wake on AC Change: No

Wake on Clamshell Open: Yes

Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes

GPUSwitch: 2

Hibernate Mode: 3

Reduce Brightness: No

Standby Delay: 4200

Standby Enabled: 0

Thanks for reading.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jan 15, 2019 1:56 PM

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Answer 1

Johnb-one

Level 6

9,180 points

Jan 15, 2019 5:07 PM in response to rebeccafrombloomington

Maybe I can help you, rebeccafrombloomington.

I don't think any of your energy settings would affect your wifi hardware detection/activity.

As for info about the installed drivers related to the wifi hardware, well, that would be part of the OS, built-in. As such I don't know how to get into it and find out that info. If your wifi card was damaged or had failed, no, it wouldn't show up under Apple Hardware test. It for sure wouldn't show up under system report, hardware, wifi.

according to this report from ifixit, there are 4 antenna connectors for the airport wifi/bluetooth board, 3 on the one side and one on the other side... and the cable for the camera too..... boy oh boy does that look like a heck of a lot of of work !!

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Unibody+Early+2011+AirPort-Bluetooth+Board+Replacement/5886

and there's a cable going directly to the card itself (for which you'll need a spudger)

If any of those antenna cables weren't connected, or the cable going from the board itself to the logic board wasn't connected, or wasn't seated in there all the way in, or if there might have been some incidental damage, maybe yes, maybe no, then that might cause the wifi "no hardware installed" message. Unfortunately, due to the age of the MacBook pro, it's been listed as vintage/obsolete, so parts are no longer available from Apple, and your local official Apple store won't touch it. your independent AASP (apple authorized service provider) might be willing to give it a try, but you'd be paying their prices. Of course, if you bought the correct tools and the new part, there's a chance you might be able to fix it yourself. Of course you'll only get 802.11n speeds and Bluetooth 4.0) and it's not super easy to do. It is possible, yes, but it's not easy..

John B

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