Wi-fi off and will not turn on - MacBook

I have a problem. When I went to add the wifi back, it was not there. There is only ethernet, firewire, bluetooth DUN, VPN, PPPoE, and 6 to 4. mid 2009 mbp . 10.7.5. If anyone knows, Please help!

I just had this similar problem happen to me! Although you have probably resolved your issue by now, this is what I ended up doing to fix it.

1. Go to System Preferences and open 'Network' - or click your wifi triangle along the top tool bar and select 'open network preferences'.

2. Click your wifi on the left hand side from the list, and then click the small cog at the bottom of that box, and click 'Make Service Inactive'.

3. Once you've done that, click the minus to delete your wifi as an option from this box.

4. APPLY!!

All other instructions I read said to click the plus and add your wifi again and then restart. Well that did nothing for me, infact it did nothing about 7 or 8 times, soooooo...

5. Restart your computer now, without any wifi configuration setup.

6. Once restarted, go back into system preferences, into network, and use the + button to add a wifi connection back into your computer. With any luck, you will be able to click on 'Turn wifi on' and it will actually work!

Hi,

I had the same problem as Tricia and took your advice, only I am unable to figure out how to add a wifi network. The list does not give me a wifi option when I press the add sign. Suggestions, Elise?

Best,

Chris

This worked right away and potentially saved me a service fee, although as a 2008 Mac Book Pro I am running an old lady who has been very good to me and I don't want to give her up for a huge replacement fee unless I really have to.

Good to hear Patricia! Mine did the same thing the next day so I'm hoping this isn't going to become a regular occurrence... My MacBook is also one of the first released unibodies and is still pushing on like a trooper so I have no doubts that mine cracks it every now and again purely because it's old!

About $175 as I recall....mostly labor.

Hopefully, the wireless card will hold on a bit longer.

Hi Chris,

Sorry I don't have any suggestions! I'm so technologically challenged I'm surprised I was able to fix my own let alone actually help some other people! Maybe a call to Apple might be in order?

Sorry again!

Elise

Thank you Elise! This solved my problem🙂

I had the same symptoms on my early 2008 MacBook Pro.

The "fix" was a new internal wireless card. That is a job for a service shop.

You might want to follow this post to see if there might be a miracle cure, though:

Re: No airport card installed

i was having same issue today (first time ever happened)and tried your tip and after restarting it worked.thanks

once you hit the plus u should see select interface and name for new service and beside iterface it shows bluetooth pan.dont know if u tried or not but click little arrows on bluetooth pan and wireless option is there.if u just mean its not showing up after doing this sorry fo not helping

Thank you, Elise! Your suggestion worked for me! I'm thinking I need to do as Tricia did and upgrade memory (I still have the original 2GB) as well as keeping a watchful eye on my wireless card ...

All the best ... -alex

Dear AtlantaElise,

Many thanks for posting - your solution worked perfectly for me... I was fearing the need to replace

my Airport Exterme card. Now all is well again!

cheers,

David