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Wi-Fi: No Hardware Installed

Suddenly my Wi-Fi stopped and shows this at the Menu Bar: Wi-Fi: No Hardware Installed

What can I do?

Thanks for any help


Mario Lordeiro

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), Apple LED Cinema Display, Blue-Ray Disk, Wacom Tablet

Posted on Feb 16, 2015 7:38 AM

Reply
6 replies

Feb 16, 2015 7:53 AM in response to Mario Lordeiro

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) - Apple Support


Before Resetting the SMC


Try each of the following steps in this order before you reset the SMC. Test the issue after completing each troubleshooting step to determine if the issue still occurs.


  1. Press Command + Option + Escape to force quit any application that is not responding.
  2. Put your Mac to sleep by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Sleep. Wake the computer after it has gone to sleep.
  3. Restart your Mac by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Restart.
  4. Shut down your Mac by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Shut Down.


Resetting the SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own


  1. Shut down the computer.
  2. Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if it's not already connected.
  3. On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time. The power adapter indicator light may cycle off / on once.
  4. Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
  5. Press the power button to turn on the computer.


If that does not resolve the problem, continue with the following:


NVRAM reset:


  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
  3. Turn on the computer.
  4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys before the gray screen appears.
  5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
  6. Release the keys.


After resetting NVRAM or PRAM, you may need to reconfigure your settings for speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection, and time zone information. If issues persist, your Mac's logic board battery (not a portable Mac's rechargeable battery) may need to be replaced. The logic board battery helps retain NVRAM/PRAM settings when your computer is shut down. You can take your Mac to a Mac Genius or Apple Authorized Service Provider to replace the battery on the logic board.

Feb 16, 2015 2:21 PM in response to Mario Lordeiro

You are welcome. It sounds like a connection isn't working properly. Unless you are comfortable checking connections, take it in for testing.


If you live near an Apple Store, make a Genius Bar appointment to have the computer tested. Supposedly there is no charge for testing. Use 2nd link if not near an Apple Store or aren’t in the US. Hardware Repair - Keeping Confidential Data Safe


Genius Bar Reservation US


Authorized Service Provider

Feb 16, 2015 6:01 PM in response to Mario Lordeiro

If the SMC / NVRAM resets don't work, the usual cause is a hardware fault that can sometimes be intermittent. A corrupted OS X installation, defined as alteration or deletion of required operating system components, is also possible. That can be solved by reinstalling OS X, which will not delete your User account information or data. If you want to try that, back up your system first as a precaution against the unexpected.


If reinstalling OS X works, the reason for corruption would still need to be determined because it's likely to occur again.

Feb 16, 2015 6:49 PM in response to Mario Lordeiro

In some cases, this issue is caused by a hardware fault. A loose connection, a short circuit, or a microscopic break in a solder joint may open and close depending on temperature, making the failure intermittent.

Test after taking each of the following steps that you haven't already taken. Back up all data before making any changes.

1. If you can connect to the Internet via Ethernet, Bluetooth, or a USB network device, make sure all available OS X updates are installed. If Wi-Fi is your only means of network access, skip this step.

2.. There are a few reports that the problem was solved by unchecking the box marked

Wake for Wi-Fi network access

in the Power Adapter tab of the Energy Saver preference pane. I can't confirm.

3. Reset the NVRAM.

4. Reset the System Management Controller.

5. Start up in Recovery mode. In the menu bar of the OS X Utilities screen, there's a Wi-Fi menu. Try to connect. If it works, select Install OS X. If your Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade, so make a note of those before you begin.

6. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.

Wi-Fi: No Hardware Installed

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