Question
I have a ThinkPad T400 and for some reason the wireless capability is turned off sometimes.
When I tried to search for wireless networks, it said that no networks are found even though I turned my wireless adapter on. When diagosed, it says that my wireless capability is turned off.
This happens randomly and I don't know what is wrong,
Answer
This can be caused by a combination of not finding a wifi network to auto connect to, and / or your power management settings.
Resolving Power Management Scenario 1
If you are in in 'Energy Star' mode for instance, if it can't find a wireless network in X amount of time it just turns it off. Setting to "Max performance" or disabling the setting to allow the wireless card to save power.
- Press the blue ThinkVantage key
- From "Resource Center" menu, click "Wireless" and then "Find Wireless Networks".
The Access Connections window will pop up
- Go to "Options" tab and uncheck the "Allow the wireless LAN radio to be turned off when inactive." box
Resolving Power Management Scenario 2
If the steps in scenario 1 above did not resolve the adapter from being powered down during inactive periods and dropping connection, try the following:
Control Panel --> Power Options --> Power Manager (on the left side in red) --> Advanced Settings --> PCI Express --> Link State Power Management. Change both Battery Settings and AC Settings to OFF.
Resolving Windows / Access Connections Conflicts
You can only have one wireless client software active.
- If you want to use Windows to manage wireless, then uninstall Access Connections.
- If you want to use Access Connections, don't create wireless connections through Windows, use Access Connections.
- When Access Connections attempts to connect, it automatically turns on the wireless radio, while Windows wireless does not.
