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I have a MacBook Pro 2009 running MacOS El Capitan. Recently the Wi-Fi has stopped working.
When I click on the Wi-Fi icon it displays the message “No hardware installed”, but Ethernet still works.
Is there any way of fixing this by using a Wi-Fi dongle or something of the sort, if so do I need a specific dongle and how do I install it?
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asked Mar 22, 2017 at 16:47
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If you are getting the message “No hardware Installed” it means that macOS is not detecting your WiFi adapter for one of two reasons:
- It’s not installed (it physically doesn’t exist)
- It has failed
Chances are it’s the second option.
You can confirm this by running Apple Hardware Test (AHT). Hold the D key while booting from a powered off state with the AC adapter connected.
Regardless if the first or the second, you will probably have to replace it with another Airport card
ifixit.com has an excellent tutorial and step-by-step guide on how to replace the board. It’s a time consuming repair – I wouldn’t say difficult, but more detail oriented. If this is not your cup of tea, I recommend taking it in for service.
answered Mar 22, 2017 at 18:11
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I had this same problem. I reset NVRAM and SMC to no effect. I also ran the Apple Hardware Test and it came back as a hardware problem. But…
But then I did this, and my wifi was back, working just like new.
-
Switch to Finder
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Click on ‘Go’ (top menu) -> ‘Go to Folder…’
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Copy and paste this into the field:
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration -
Find and trash
NetworkInterfaces.plist,com.apple.airport.preferences.plist,com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist -
Reboot
I would suggest making a copy of this file, naming it something different and storing it on your desktop before deleting the file – just in case. But this worked for me. Hope it works for you.
answered Aug 3, 2017 at 4:57
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Try resetting the NVRAM and SMC first before going out and spending money on a new WiFi adapter. You can do this by:
NVRAM
- Reboot the Mac and immediately hold down Command + Option + P + R keys together
- Continue holding all Command+Option+P+R keys until you hear the Mac reboot sound again, then release all keys concurrently
SMC
- Plug the laptop into a power source
- Press and hold all of these keys at the same time: Control + Shift + Option + Power
- Release the keys
- Press the Power button to turn it back on
If that doesn’t fix it, then you might need to buy an adapter. There are a lot of good ones out there that work with Macs. I would just go to your favorite online retailer and search WiFi adapters for Mac. That should bring you plenty of options.
answered Mar 22, 2017 at 17:52
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Fixed this on mine by running Apple Hardware Test (AHT).
- Hold the D key immediately after boot to enter AHT.
- Plug your computer in.
- Run test. Test took ~ 4 minutes.
- Click on link to start Recovery mode.
- Wifi worked in there. Shutdown.
- Boot up normally.
answered Sep 7, 2017 at 3:16
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Sometimes just reinstalling the last used/latest macOS Version can help.
Also pay attention to tools you may use such as Continuity Activation tool and similar, which are quite…messy sometimes.
Continuity Activation has a problem under El Capitan going from a Macbook pro 8 to a 9 ie from late 2010 machines to mi 2012 machines the last batch of that kind of MacBook Pro (with firewire)…
You need to de-install Continuity Activation ! I upgraded my machine taking my old drive from one machine to the next and wifi reworked only after de-installing it.
In fact you dont need Continuity Activation on mid2012 as they are already airport capable without patch and extra dongle !
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answered Oct 18, 2017 at 13:58
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