Jennifer70

Q: "Wifi: no hardware installed" message (Yosemite 10.10.4)

I have a late 2012 iMac running Yosemite v 10.10.4.  Everything was fine and today the wifi would lot connect.  I noticed that it was off and I clicked on "turn wifi on" and it would not turn on.  All the other devices in our house (including other Macs) are connecting just fine.  I restarted the computer and now there is an "x" in the little wifi symbol on the top right hand side of the screen and it says "Wi-fi: no hardware installed" when I click on it.  What is going on?  I cannot find info on how to fix it.  Very frustrating.

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Oct 25, 2015 11:14 AM

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Q: "Wifi: no hardware installed" message (Yosemite 10.10.4)

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  • by marcodc77,

    marcodc77 marcodc77 Oct 25, 2015 2:03 PM in response to Jennifer70
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 25, 2015 2:03 PM in response to Jennifer70

    Hi Jennifer,

    I wish that somebody will find a solution to this annoying issue. I have tried all solutions suggested by the web, but sincerely it seems that nobody (also the Apple's staff) knows the way to solve it. Surely it appears after an upgrade. I have run apple hardware test and no hardware issue found, so it suggests to think about a software problem. Anyway it seems very strange that after thousands of post with the same problem, Apple doesn't say for what f****ng reason it happened and how it will solve. No good impression about it. I would like to avoid to bring the iMac to some store and spend at least 45€ only to get a look. My humble opinion is that Apple knows very well about, but it can't admit to have some guilty about.

  • by Duane,

    Duane Duane Oct 25, 2015 2:53 PM in response to Jennifer70
    Level 10 (124,018 points)
    Oct 25, 2015 2:53 PM in response to Jennifer70
  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 25, 2015 5:19 PM in response to Jennifer70
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Oct 25, 2015 5:19 PM in response to Jennifer70

    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. Turn off Bluetooth. If you have a desktop Mac, you'll need a wired keyboard and mouse to take this step. Those are useful to have anyway, because Bluetooth is not completely reliable. If Wi-Fi works with Bluetooth turned off but not when you turn it back on, delete all pairings in the Bluetooth preference pane and recreate them. Restart the computer and test again.

    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.

    6. Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

    /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist

    Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select

              Services Reveal in Finder (or just Reveal)

    from the contextual menu.* A folder should open with an item selected. Move the selected item to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password. Restart the computer and empty the Trash.

    *If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination  command-C. In the Finder, select

              Go Go to Folder...

    from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You may not see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.

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

  • by chilelime7,

    chilelime7 chilelime7 Oct 26, 2015 2:28 PM in response to marcodc77
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 2:28 PM in response to marcodc77

    So, I just had this happen with my MacBook pro (2015) & OS: El Capitain and called apple support.

     

    Here is what they recommended that worked for me:

    1) Shut down all applications (except for Finder - leave this open).  To do this press Option + Command + Esc at the same time.  Then close all apps.

    2) Completely shut down your computer

    3) While its off, press all of these at the same time Ctrl+option+shift+power and hold this down for a good 5 seconds.  Then release at the same time.

    4) power on your device normally using the power button.  Hope this helps.

  • by marcodc77,

    marcodc77 marcodc77 Oct 26, 2015 4:34 PM in response to Jennifer70
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 4:34 PM in response to Jennifer70

    Hi Jennifer,

    whereas you have an iMac as me, I would like to know if some of the solutions suggested has solved the problem. Could you let me know please? Thank you in advance

  • by Jennifer70,

    Jennifer70 Jennifer70 Oct 26, 2015 7:09 PM in response to chilelime7
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 7:09 PM in response to chilelime7
    Thanks for your response. I could make this work. Every time I tried control-option-shift-power my computer would power up which isn't consistent with your directions. I was pushing the buttons simultaneously as instructed. Same wifi hardware not found problem on the computer upon startup. :(. If someone has a trick for this fix to work please let me know. Will work through other suggestions from other responders next. I was starting with the easiest first.
  • by Jennifer70,

    Jennifer70 Jennifer70 Oct 26, 2015 7:10 PM in response to marcodc77
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 7:10 PM in response to marcodc77

    Nothing has worked yet.  Still working through this and will let you know.  This is on my son's very lightly used awesome computer.  I am super-annoyed and he is having to use my computer for homework now.  Must get this fixed. 

  • by den.thed,

    den.thed den.thed Oct 26, 2015 7:42 PM in response to Jennifer70
    Level 7 (27,395 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 7:42 PM in response to Jennifer70

    Hi Jennifer

     

    I'm surprised that no one has suggested using the Network Diagnostics to troubleshoot the problem.

     

    1. Go to: Apple > System Preferences > Network

    2. Click Assist me... at the bottom of the preference panel.

    3. Click Diagnostics.... select the Wi-Fi bubble and click Continue.

     

    Dennis

     

    For references: see > How to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity in OS X Lion or earlier - Apple Support

    and > Use Wireless Diagnostics to help you resolve Wi-Fi issues on your Mac - Apple Support

  • by Jennifer70,

    Jennifer70 Jennifer70 Oct 26, 2015 7:40 PM in response to chilelime7
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 7:40 PM in response to chilelime7

    Thanks for your response. I could make this work. Every time I tried control-option-shift-power my computer would power up so I could never do step 4. I was pushing the buttons simultaneously as instructed. Same wifi hardware not found problem there upon startup. :(. If someone has a trick for this to work please let me know. Will work through other suggestions from other responders next. I was starting with the easiest first.

     

    Sent from my iPhone

  • by Jennifer70,

    Jennifer70 Jennifer70 Oct 26, 2015 7:56 PM in response to Jennifer70
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 7:56 PM in response to Jennifer70

    Re: message above....I meant that I could not make it work.  I do have a update though.  I could not get the key combination to work and found out that since I have an iMac that the SMC reset is done differently.  Alas...that didn't solve the problem.  I am downloading the new operating system now and doing a system restore.  Fingers crossed.  Last option is an appointment at the Apple Store on Friday.  However, it occurred to me that this is an iMac and while I use the wifi all the time I don't really have to, I just plugged an ethernet cord in and I have internet again.  Will see if the new operating system helps though. 

  • by marcodc77,

    marcodc77 marcodc77 Oct 29, 2015 1:44 PM in response to Jennifer70
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 29, 2015 1:44 PM in response to Jennifer70

    Hi Jennifer,

    I don't want to be annoying with you, but I would like to know how will be the 'end' of your story. I'll really appreciate it. So.. I wait for your reply further.

    Thank you in advance.

  • by marcodc77,

    marcodc77 marcodc77 Jan 28, 2016 3:36 PM in response to Jennifer70
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 28, 2016 3:36 PM in response to Jennifer70

    really happy to write here that the upgrade to El Capitan 10.11.3 has solved the wi fi issue. The wi-fi appears again selectable  between the network setting (it was disappeared after an upgrade downloaded around 2 years ago!). Once selected and activated now the wi-fi runs.