{SOLVED} Wifi wont activate - using HP 250 G3 notebook with Ralink RT3290 wifi

[sealgair]

Hi, needing help fixing my laptop's wifi. Have replaced windows 8 with Linuxmint 20.2 Uma. Everything seems to be working but for the wireless card which wont show in the network manager. So far, have reset the bios settings to default with the action keys not needing the fn button held down to turn on the wifi. There is still an amber light on the fn12 button and cant get it to turn on.

The inxi -Fxz results are:

hp@hp-HP-250-G3-Notebook-PC:~$ inxi -Fxz
System:
Kernel: 5.4.0-74-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.3.0
Desktop: Cinnamon 5.0.7 Distro: Linux Mint 20.2 Uma
base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal
Machine:
Type: Laptop System: Hewlett-Packard product: HP 250 G3 Notebook PC
v: 096C100000405F00050660181 serial: <filter>
Mobo: Hewlett-Packard model: 2213 v: 57.46 serial: <filter> UEFI: Insyde
v: F.31 date: 10/23/2014
Battery:
ID-1: BAT1 charge: 24.7 Wh condition: 24.7/31.0 Wh (80%)
model: COMPAL PABAS0241231 status: Full
Device-1: hidpp_battery_0 model: Logitech Wireless Mouse
charge: 55% (should be ignored) status: Discharging
CPU:
Topology: Dual Core model: Intel Celeron N2840 bits: 64 type: MCP
arch: Silvermont rev: 8 L2 cache: 1024 KiB
flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 8666
Speed: 538 MHz min/max: 500/2582 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 744 2: 780
Graphics:
Device-1: Intel Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series Graphics & Display
vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: i915 v: kernel bus ID: 00:02.0
Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.11 driver: modesetting
unloaded: fbdev,vesa resolution: 1366x768~60Hz
OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel HD Graphics (BYT) v: 4.2 Mesa 21.0.3
direct render: Yes
Audio:
Device-1: Intel Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series High Definition Audio
vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0
Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.4.0-74-generic
Network:
Device-1: Ralink RT3290 Wireless 802.11n 1T/1R PCIe
vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: rt2800pci v: 2.3.0 port: 2000
bus ID: 02:00.0
IF: wlp2s0f0 state: down mac: <filter>
Device-2: Realtek RTL810xE PCI Express Fast Ethernet
vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: r8169 v: kernel port: 1000 bus ID: 04:00.0
IF: enp4s0 state: down mac: <filter>
IF-ID-1: enxa65e60a32cd8 state: up speed: N/A duplex: N/A mac: <filter>
Drives:
Local Storage: total: 931.51 GiB used: 8.72 GiB (0.9%)
ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Western Digital model: WD10SPZX-22Z10T1
size: 931.51 GiB
Partition:
ID-1: / size: 915.40 GiB used: 8.71 GiB (1.0%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 49.0 C mobo: 43.0 C
Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A
Info:
Processes: 190 Uptime: 4m Memory: 1.83 GiB used: 957.7 MiB (51.1%)
Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 9.3.0 Shell: bash v: 5.0.17
inxi: 3.0.38

PS: Have attached the rfkill and the iwconfig results below.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Nick

[JeremyB]

Post results for

Code: Select all

lsmod

[sleeper12]

It looks like the wifi is hard blocked. See if Fn & F12 turn it on.

[sealgair]

hp@hp-HP-250-G3-Notebook-PC:~$ lsmod
Module Size Used by
bnep 24576 2
ipheth 16384 0
nls_iso8859_1 16384 1
intel_rapl_msr 20480 0
mei_hdcp 24576 0
snd_hda_codec_hdmi 61440 1
snd_hda_codec_realtek 131072 1
snd_hda_codec_generic 81920 1 snd_hda_codec_realtek
ledtrig_audio 16384 2 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hda_intel 53248 5
intel_rapl_common 24576 1 intel_rapl_msr
intel_soc_dts_thermal 20480 0
intel_soc_dts_iosf 20480 1 intel_soc_dts_thermal
intel_powerclamp 20480 0
snd_intel_dspcfg 28672 1 snd_hda_intel
coretemp 20480 0
snd_hda_codec 135168 4 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hda_core 90112 5 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_codec_realtek
snd_hwdep 20480 1 snd_hda_codec
uvcvideo 98304 0
snd_pcm 106496 5 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_core
kvm 663552 0
rt2800pci 16384 0
videobuf2_vmalloc 20480 1 uvcvideo
rt2800mmio 20480 1 rt2800pci
rt2800lib 131072 2 rt2800mmio,rt2800pci
videobuf2_memops 20480 1 videobuf2_vmalloc
rt2x00pci 16384 1 rt2800pci
rt2x00mmio 16384 2 rt2800mmio,rt2800pci
videobuf2_v4l2 24576 1 uvcvideo
snd_seq_midi 20480 0
rt2x00lib 61440 5 rt2x00mmio,rt2x00pci,rt2800mmio,rt2800pci,rt2800lib
videobuf2_common 57344 2 videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo
snd_seq_midi_event 16384 1 snd_seq_midi
punit_atom_debug 16384 0
snd_rawmidi 36864 1 snd_seq_midi
mac80211 847872 3 rt2x00pci,rt2x00lib,rt2800lib
videodev 225280 3 videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo,videobuf2_common
crct10dif_pclmul 16384 1
ghash_clmulni_intel 16384 0
mc 53248 4 videodev,videobuf2_v4l2,uvcvideo,videobuf2_common
snd_seq 69632 2 snd_seq_midi,snd_seq_midi_event
cryptd 24576 1 ghash_clmulni_intel
intel_cstate 20480 0
snd_seq_device 16384 3 snd_seq,snd_seq_midi,snd_rawmidi
snd_timer 36864 2 snd_seq,snd_pcm
mei_txe 28672 1
cfg80211 708608 2 rt2x00lib,mac80211
snd 90112 20 snd_hda_codec_generic,snd_seq,snd_seq_device,snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hwdep,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_timer,snd_pcm,snd_rawmidi
mei 106496 3 mei_hdcp,mei_txe
eeprom_93cx6 16384 1 rt2800pci
rtsx_pci_ms 24576 0
joydev 24576 0
input_leds 16384 0
memstick 20480 1 rtsx_pci_ms
libarc4 16384 1 mac80211
serio_raw 20480 0
hp_wmi 16384 0
sparse_keymap 16384 1 hp_wmi
soundcore 16384 1 snd
wmi_bmof 16384 0
hci_uart 126976 0
btqca 20480 1 hci_uart
btrtl 24576 1 hci_uart
btbcm 16384 1 hci_uart
btintel 24576 1 hci_uart
bluetooth 552960 12 btrtl,btqca,btintel,hci_uart,btbcm,bnep
hp_wireless 16384 0
ecdh_generic 16384 1 bluetooth
ecc 28672 1 ecdh_generic
rfkill_gpio 16384 0
mac_hid 16384 0
nf_log_ipv6 16384 5
ip6t_REJECT 16384 1
nf_reject_ipv6 20480 1 ip6t_REJECT
xt_hl 16384 22
ip6t_rt 20480 3
nf_log_ipv4 16384 5
nf_log_common 16384 2 nf_log_ipv4,nf_log_ipv6
ipt_REJECT 16384 1
nf_reject_ipv4 16384 1 ipt_REJECT
xt_LOG 20480 10
xt_limit 16384 13
xt_addrtype 16384 4
xt_tcpudp 20480 18
sch_fq_codel 20480 3
xt_conntrack 16384 16
nf_conntrack 139264 1 xt_conntrack
nf_defrag_ipv6 24576 1 nf_conntrack
nf_defrag_ipv4 16384 1 nf_conntrack
msr 16384 0
parport_pc 40960 0
ip6table_filter 16384 1
ppdev 24576 0
ip6_tables 32768 53 ip6table_filter
lp 20480 0
iptable_filter 16384 1
bpfilter 32768 0
parport 53248 3 parport_pc,lp,ppdev
ip_tables 32768 9 iptable_filter
x_tables 40960 13 ip6table_filter,xt_conntrack,iptable_filter,xt_LOG,xt_tcpudp,xt_addrtype,ip6t_rt,ip6_tables,ipt_REJECT,ip_tables,xt_limit,xt_hl,ip6t_REJECT
autofs4 45056 2
btrfs 1261568 0
xor 24576 1 btrfs
zstd_compress 167936 1 btrfs
raid6_pq 114688 1 btrfs
libcrc32c 16384 2 nf_conntrack,btrfs
dm_mirror 24576 0
dm_region_hash 20480 1 dm_mirror
dm_log 20480 2 dm_region_hash,dm_mirror
hid_logitech_hidpp 45056 0
hid_logitech_dj 28672 0
hid_generic 16384 0
usbhid 57344 1 hid_logitech_dj
rtsx_pci_sdmmc 28672 0
i915 1990656 13
i2c_algo_bit 16384 1 i915
crc32_pclmul 16384 0
drm_kms_helper 184320 1 i915
syscopyarea 16384 1 drm_kms_helper
r8169 90112 0
sysfillrect 16384 1 drm_kms_helper
sysimgblt 16384 1 drm_kms_helper
realtek 24576 1
i2c_i801 32768 0
psmouse 155648 0
fb_sys_fops 16384 1 drm_kms_helper
rtsx_pci 77824 2 rtsx_pci_sdmmc,rtsx_pci_ms
lpc_ich 24576 0
ahci 40960 2
drm 491520 6 drm_kms_helper,i915
libahci 32768 1 ahci
wmi 32768 2 hp_wmi,wmi_bmof
video 49152 1 i915
dw_dmac 16384 0
dw_dmac_core 28672 1 dw_dmac
i2c_hid 28672 0
hid 131072 5 i2c_hid,usbhid,hid_generic,hid_logitech_dj,hid_logitech_hidpp
hp@hp-HP-250-G3-Notebook-PC:~$

@sleeper12 - the fn + f12 did not work (light is still amber on wifi). In BIOS settings the action keys are set to default (function keys work without need of fn pressed).

[sleeper12]

I see, so F12 alone doesn't work either? If not, wait to see what JeremyB has in mind.

[sleeper12]

If it isn't too difficult, you could remove & reinsert the wifi adapter. That sometimes removes a hard block.

[Legion99]

For the life of me I cannot find the reference and so am working on memory from 2 years ago. I bought a 2nd hand HP ProBook 450 G1 and loaded Mint. Everything worked great except the WiFI. I did a lot of research and tried everything but in the end gave up as the card in the ProBook was just not not compatible. I have a strong recollection it was this card, or at least something close. In the end I fixed the problem by getting a new card - "Dual Band HP 717381-001 INTEL WIRELESS N CARD 7260HMW AN 300Mpbs WLAN+BT 4.0" search ebay, about $10 and 10 minutes to fit. New card working like it should no problems at all.

[sealgair]

If it isn't too difficult, you could remove & reinsert the wifi adapter. That sometimes removes a hard block.

Hi sleeper12, cant remove it. It isnt a usb dongle (this is the built in wireless of the laptop). If you mean to open it up and fiddle with hardware I'd rather not unless last resort...

[Legion99]

Get the HP maintenance manual. Read it on how to access / remove /replace WLAN module. I understand your reticence but it is actually not that hard. http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04655216.pdf

[sealgair]

Ok, managed to pull the laptop apart and put it back together in one piece. The wlan card was connected by both a socket slot as well as by an antenna cable. I removed both completely and put back together again as was. The antenna cable is tricky in how small the connector tip is but managed to put it back together. It still comes up with the same result, it wont activate the wifi card. After testing the rfkill list all it comes up as hard blocked: yes, soft blocked: no.

[sealgair]

Time for a new usb wifi dongle right?

[Pierre]

Dual Band HP 717381-001 INTEL WIRELESS N CARD 7260HMW AN 300Mpbs WLAN+BT 4.0

is that worth you looking at they are not that expensive, either.

[JeremyB]

Did the wifi card have the screw at the top center or near the corner?

[foghorn1966]

OP, Did your HP laptop show the your WIFI network in the available networks or no wifi at all?
I'm helping a family member with a Mint 20 XFCE install on a former Win 8 HP laptop. Mint sees the WIFI network but wont allow the passphrase entry.
Suspect permissions?
Curious and watching this thread before creating another.
(Re-read original post - WIFI not showing I suspect)

[Legion99]

As I suggested a few posts up get a new card, search e-bay for Dual Band HP 717381-001 INTEL WIRELESS N CARD 7260HMW AN 300Mpbs WLAN+BT 4.0. They are about US$10. You see how easy they are to change.

[Legion99]

OP, Did your HP laptop show the your WIFI network in the available networks or no wifi at all?
I'm helping a family member with a Mint 20 XFCE install on a former Win 8 HP laptop. Mint sees the WIFI network but wont allow the passphrase entry.
Suspect permissions?
Curious and watching this thread before creating another.
(Re-read original post - WIFI not showing I suspect)

Probably the same fix, swap out the card for a different one. HP generally are very good with Linux, but some of their wlan cards just do not work regardless of what you try. Check the model number on the HP site and get their maintenance manual. Easy instructions on changing cards.

[sealgair]

Did the wifi card have the screw at the top center or near the corner?

Screw was off centre towards the edge near the antenna cable.

[sealgair]

Dual Band HP 717381-001 INTEL WIRELESS N CARD 7260HMW AN 300Mpbs WLAN+BT 4.0

is that worth you looking at they are not that expensive, either.

Thanks Pierre. Will check that one out.

[sealgair]

OP, Did your HP laptop show the your WIFI network in the available networks or no wifi at all?
I'm helping a family member with a Mint 20 XFCE install on a former Win 8 HP laptop. Mint sees the WIFI network but wont allow the passphrase entry.
Suspect permissions?
Curious and watching this thread before creating another.
(Re-read original post - WIFI not showing I suspect)

The bizarre thing is that the wifi card shows up when I tested it with another usb dongle I am using on another machine. As soon as I unplug the usb dongle the wifi adapter stops showing on the available network list... Hooray the gremlins are having a party in my laptop haha. See attachment below (added Qualcomm atheros usb dongle specifically for linux system). Even with the atheros dongle in, the 'activate' wifi stays inactive no matter if pressed.

[sealgair]

OP, Did your HP laptop show the your WIFI network in the available networks or no wifi at all?
I'm helping a family member with a Mint 20 XFCE install on a former Win 8 HP laptop. Mint sees the WIFI network but wont allow the passphrase entry.
Suspect permissions?
Curious and watching this thread before creating another.
(Re-read original post - WIFI not showing I suspect)

Probably the same fix, swap out the card for a different one. HP generally are very good with Linux, but some of their wlan cards just do not work regardless of what you try. Check the model number on the HP site and get their maintenance manual. Easy instructions on changing cards.

Hi mate, the network card only shows up when I add a usb dongle and even then it wont allow me to activate the wifi option when pressed. I ended reinstalling Linuxmint 20.2 and did full update thinking might have been something I did wrong the first time. It seems that it doesnt like that wifi card. Going to run a 5m cable to where I need this laptop setup in the house and cable link it to the modem at this point.