T420 wireless radio switch is ON but software insists it is off

My machine can't find my wireless network. When I run the troubleshooting it says "wireless radio switch must be turned on" and shows me a little diagram of the switch.
It always has been on, I never turn it off. I switched it on and off, then restarted, same error. I swear the mechanical switch is on, but the computer insists it isn't.

Hi Michaelsmart,
Welcome to Lenovo Community Forums!
I’m sorry to hear that Wifi is not working on ThinkPad T420.
Please check if there is any yellow mark in any of the adapter in Device Manager.
Check with enabling Wifi with pressing Fn+F5 keys, on the keyboard.
If the issue still persist then I suggest you to download and install below mention drivers to resolve the issue.
Lenovo Power Management Driver.
Power Manager
Hope this helps!
Best regards,
Hemanth Kumar
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Control wireless radio switch (Fn + F5) via Windows Registry / software

In a school environment, the students have discovered they can cause trouble by using the Fn+F5 software switch to disable the Wifi radio. I know the hardware LED goes off when this happens, but the teachers are too busy to identify this. The result is that users cannot login, and the Windows Welcome screen is not intuitive enough giving an error message "There are currently no logon servers available".
I'm interested in applying a "fix" for this issue on startup. Possibly a Windows Registry fix, to "force" the Lenovo software switch to turn Wifi on.
I've had a poke around with a registry comparison between off and on states, and am currently getting the following diff (amongst other changes, such as DHCP etc):
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0018\RadioEnable: 0x00000000
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0018\RadioEnable: 0x00000001
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0018\RadioEnable: 0x00000000
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0018\RadioEnable: 0x00000001
However, forcing these dwords to 0x1 does not seem to be enough to switch the radio on.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? Is there some underlying BIOS/UEFI setting that might be able to be accessed via software?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Acxtually I've found it after a bit more research. Can be controlled via the command line:
"C:\Program Files\Lenovo\HOTKEY\TpFnF5.exe" /wlon

Photosmart premium all in one c309a wireless radio indicater is on, but won't recognize network

Using a windows 7 Dell laptop with my printer and it's been working fine. Suddenly, my wireless indicator on the printer is on, but I can't get the printer to recognize the network at all, and obviously can't print from my Laptop wirelessly. Works fine by USB. I have run all of the diagnostics tools on the hp website, to no avail.. The printer is only 18 months old - Hate to toss it out just for this! Any ideas of how to fix this? I've reset the router, hard reset the printer and followed all of the diagnostic steps. I'm baffled!
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Yes. Turn the printer off, hold the # and 6 keys while and a bit after turning it back on. The printer will reset. If this does not work you could try the same thing with # and 9 keys, but I doubt it will do any better.
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I am employed by HP

Trying to connect my printer and receive the message wireless radio is not functioning but the radio

i have a hp officejet pro 8500 wireless

Where are you receiving this message?
Run a wireless test by going to Setup>Network>Wireless Network Test. Does it show anything as failed? If so, what items are marked as failed?
What brand and model is the router?
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T61 - Intell 4965AGN - Wireless radio is powered off

I am getting to wits end trying to get my wifi connection to work. I NEED HELP!!!
I just purchased a Lenovo T61. It came with Vista which I despise!!!! So I decided to install XP. I didn't want to eliminate Vista since I develop programs for windows and want to keep Vista around for testing purposes. I partitioned the hard drive and installed Windows XP Pro SP2. After about 3 weeks of research and installs, un-installs and re-installs and then finally getting ThinkVantage Update installed and letting it get everything updated I think I have a pretty good setup. Except for the wifi adapter.
The computer came with the two LAN connections. A gigabit adapter for wired connections and an Intell 4965AGN wifi adapter. I am using ThinkVantage Access Connections. I prefer to keep this because I use the laptop at home, work and on the road. Access Connections gives me the capability to save a separate IP configuration for each location. That is worth a lot.
The wifi switch on the front of the T61 is switched on. If I bring up Fn-F5 it shows the "Hardware Wireless Radio Switch" as ON.
I am able to get the gigabit connection to work without issue. But I can't get the wifi adapter to work. If I bring it up on Device Manager I see the 4965AGN under Network Devices. If I bring up the Properties dialog it shows "Wireless On" on the Advanced tab and the Driver tab lists a driver version 11.5.0.36 dated 11/27/2007. The toolbar shows the wifi icon with a red X showing that it is not connected. If I click on "View Wireless Connections" I get the message that Windows cannot manage that wireless connection.
So I start Access Connections and start setting up a new wireless connection. I identify the connection as wireless and move to the second page titled "Enter wireless network configuration:". I give it an SSID and click on "Find Network". I immediately get a pop-up stating "The wireless radio is powered off. Do you want to power it on?". I click on "Yes" and that dialog goes away. But nothing on the entry page changes. None of the drop downs are populated. If I click on "Find Network" again I get the same message.
I have tried re-loading the wifi drivers from the Lenovo web page with no change. How can I fix this?
Glenn Puckett
Lexington, KY
Solved!
Go to Solution.

I think I have a solution to this. It worked for me. I wandered into this forum and found people with the same issues. I have just fixed my R61i. It was a Vista which I downgraded to an XP ( it was doing my head in)..
Everything went well, apart from the wireless not showing in access... it worked, but only outside. I too LOVE the access program.
This is how I fixed it..
I went here
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-62875
I then downloaded the patch and installed it. I was curious in that the "Intel Proset Wireless Software was NOT in my program list (under Add/Remove Software)
I ran the install (its clear in the instructions where to find it) page 3 under Manual install.
I restarted and ping... up came a new icon, and gone was the initial freeze at startup time (which was happening every now and again)
I love my R61i. I love it even better now it works under XP and works with access. Although Mine is an R61i A lot of T models are listed at the top of the solution. Print off the full text and read it whilst you work through.. Good Luck
I have registered just to pass this on because a few of you above seemed stumped, just like I was.
Steve

Can I disable my Verizon Fios Router Wireless radio, connect it to a switch and use my airport express as my wireless access point connected to an in wall ethernet port?

Here's the deal. I have a Verizon Fios MI424WR router. My house has CAT5 throughout the house. The media panel is located in the garage. I want to take the Verizon Fios Router and cannot it in the media panel so I can connect a switch to it, that way, all my CAT5 can fire throughout the house. Verizon being Verizon decided to connect the router directly in the office.
Can I go this route (Router in media panel, switch cross connect to it) and use Airport Express, connected to one of the in-wall CAT5 ports in my house and then set it up as my wireless access point to provide wifi to my portable devices (iPad, iPhone, Macbook)? Is this possible? Will Airport Express comminicate with my verizon router via ethernet in-wall? Do I have to turn off the wireless radio in the Verizon router? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

That is right, by hard wired I was just making clear wired vs wireless attachment. AirPort family of devices will only act in a repeater mode with their own family members, not FiOS routers. they have to be wired to work.
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Apple AirPort Networks
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I have a problem with my X60 Lenovo and the new toolbox software for windows 7.
After installing this new toolbox for windows7 the wireless radio turnes off and cannot be turned on ever again.
Only restoring a backup made just before installing the toolbox solved the problem. All other possible solutions failed. One other solution: Also you can go back to a recovery point made bij windows to remove the toolbox. Because as already said: even uninstalling the toolbox program (remove program) doesn't help, too.
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My Wireless Radio Connection switches off after about 2-3 minutes. Is there a setting I can adjust to lengthen this amount of time? When it shuts off, all I have to do is FN5 to reconnect but I shouldn't have to do that every 3 minutes. I have a T60. Thank you.

Assuming your're using a version of Windows, use the Device Manager and configure the Advanced Properties
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If the issue is still occurring then load an alnternate Operating system, Knoppix or SLAX Live BOOT CD's enable the loading and execution of a featured LINUX kernel with driver support for most Thinkpads since it seems te developers of the LIVE CD's use thinkpads themselves or MAC's, it is likely the latest Knoppix distro is compatible with your NIC and observe whether or not the issue still occurs / if so then you can most likely attribute it to an odd hardware issue and you should begin researching whether or not a BIOS upgrade or even Downgrade is a solution.
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Also, determine whether or not your actual WiFi NIC is flashable, modern network adapaters have increased in complexity especially as a necessity of WOL and the Intel SLM features that more corporate purchasers demand thus NIC's have increased in complexity becoming more like mini VX systems with flashable firmware which may have merit as a solution if you isolate it to your hardware.
Don't just sit there, take a second and use the Kudo's button to compliment the people who help you.

HP Photoprinter C7280 printer. The wireless radio is on but not functioning - so no wifi conection.

HP Photoprinter C7280 printer. The wireless radio is on but not functioning - so am unable to gain wifi connection and print! - Why? How do I fix, Thanks

I would guess that the printer's wireless radio has died. Have you tried plugging the printer into your wireless router with an Ethernet cable? It should work and give you the same functions as wireless. Your computer or router will not care how the printer is connected.
Say thanks by clicking "Kudos" "thumbs up" in the post that helped you.
I am employed by HP

Ever since I received my Macbook Pro in July 2011 I've had issues with my wireless connection at home. After software updates, Apple support suggested I reboot my router which works. But now I have to do it every other day. ????

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If your using WEP encryption yes, Apple has discontinued that becaues it's worthless. WEP (and WPA) is cracked so encryption makes no sense.
Get a new Wireless N router, set it up with WPA2 (AES) Personal and two different 20+ randon letter/numbersymbol character passwords
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One for entering into devices, computers etc for Internet Access Only.
You need the long and random password to defeat brute force attacks by GPU software that the hackers have now.
Also if you give out the password to another, they can't hack the network with the guest access password.
Computers remember the internet password, so anyone with access to your machines or network will have the password.
Since you have another Admin only password, they can't hack in. got it?
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My Telus wireless only works with WEP, but if I switch to WEP the wireless goes down on the other Windows computer being used in the same house. Is there a way for both of us to get wireless internet or do one of us have to be connected by the ethernet?

My Telus wireless only works with WEP, but if I switch to WEP, the wireless on the other computers in the house (which is Windows and WPA) stops working. My computer works with the ethernet cord but I want to be wireless too! Do one of us have to sacrifice our wireless?

For assistance in getting your MacBook to connect to a WEP-protected wireless network, please check out this Apple Support article: AirPort: Joining an encrypted WEP or WPA Wi-Fi network

CAN NOT TURN ON WIRELESS RADIO

Wold you help me please? Mine's a V200. I can not remember what happened but I can not turn on the wireless radio on. It says the hardware is turned on (the switch is always on), but when I press Fn5 and click ON, nothing happens. Is there a software I may have accidentally removed?

Try reinstalling your drivers.
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On a wireless network test report, I get "The wireless radio is not functioning."

The printer is a Photosmart C309a all-in-one. I've used this printer for some time and did so wirelessly earlier today. Upon ordering a print job the printer failed to produce results. I ran a Network Configuration Page where it showed the printer to be offline with no Active Connection Type. I then ran a Wireless Network Test report and received the message: "The wireless radio is not functioning. Contact HP Support." IS THERE A FIX FOR THIS?
I reinstalled the printer software on my computer configuring it with a USB connection, in order to be able to use the printer. I was able to use it with the USB connection but would most definitely prefer a wireless connection. I also turned off the printer, router and computer and turned them on in the order outlined in the user's manual, but to no avail. This, of course, I did before reinstalling the software for a USB connection.

Hi,
I afraid the error indicate an an hardware failure..
You may try using a wired ethernet cable as a workaround, the printer will need to be services in order to repair its wireless card.
You may find the details to contact HP support by selecting your region and following Technical Support after you buy:
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-contact-us.html
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Can't power on Wireless Radio Access Connections ver. 5.83 build 83C753WW

I had the wireless working just fine. I did a System Update and now I can't get the Wireless Radio to power on for the life of me.
I've tried many things. I read many many other problems that sound the same but they are working with older version of Access Connections and most of them are working with XP.
I'm working with Win7 64bit Professional on a Thinkpad L512. Windows has all the updates available. The only way I know of to turn on the radio is with <Function> F5. I see the 802.11 Wireless Radio in the Off state. I see the power button. When I select the power button nothing happens.
I have replaced the hard drive and loaded the recovery disks. Then the wireless works just fine. So I know it's not a hardware issue. When I put the original hard drive back in I can't get the radio to power on. I have removed and reinstalled a number of pieces of software in a specific order but nothing seems to work.
Does anyone have any idea how to fix this?
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look in device manager / network adapter to ensure the wireless card driver is working
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Unablle to turn on wireless radio

We have an IBM Thikpad. we are unable to turn on the wireless readio. We have turned the switch on, the light is on and we have tried to power on the switch from the Think vantage instructions. We have spent hours trying to solve this problem. Please Help

I never ever thought I would be writing this but am totally frustrated with Lenovo and i guess it is time to move on and give another brand a try. I have owed Thinkpads going on 20 years and currently have 4 laptops, 2 X301's 1 T400 and a T500 in my family and they al have the same problems connecting wirelessly.
I cannot connect to the interent because it is telling me my wireless radio is off but it will not allow me to click on it to turn it on. On my actually laptop the wireless beacon is glowing brightly. And you I have turned off and on the wireless switch about a 100 times.
I have tried everything even uninstalling access connections ( at one time it worked great on all 4 ) now not so much,
What has bugged me is that no one from Lenovo can offer ANY TYPE suggestions as a fix and that is why I am frustrated. I have seen several posts on this subject so I know I am not alone.
Although the X1 carbons got my attention- I think this go round I will pass.

T420 wireless radio switch is ON but software insists it is off

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