Windows 10 don't allow the wifi module to start

Mr. Magoo 20 Reputation points
2026-10-12T14:01:12+00:00

I have installed a newer model wifi module (Intel AX210) the laptop original wifi module have failed.

The new wifi module is a combo model. same as the original. meaning this contains a Bluetooth and wifi module in one.

The BT section start up perfectly. And wifi section start up perfectly. (no error codes in driver section in the device manager).

But in the network section for the wifi. say the wifi is turned off. When i try to manually turn on. this seems windows trying to start (circling dots) but failed.

I have asked Intel support. (the manufecturer of the wifi card) and we tried everything. the wifi card functioning flawlessly and no faults.

we believe the problem is the windows 10. Possibly a blacklisting the wifi card.

my request you remove the blacklisting for this card. The reason is the original wifi card is impossible to find. this model card are not longer in production.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Internet and connectivity
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Answer accepted by question author
Baraniwala Chamali Lalanthi Liyanage 450 Reputation points
2026-10-15T13:22:01.2933333+00:00

Hi Mr. Magoo,

Windows 10 does not have a hardware blacklist. The issue you are experiencing is caused by your laptop's motherboard sending a permanent "hardware disable" signal to the new Intel AX210 card.

Because the card appears perfectly in Device Manager without errors, it has successfully bypassed any potential BIOS restrictions. However, the pin configuration on the new AX210 interprets the motherboard's radio control signals differently than your old original card, keeping the Wi-Fi radio permanently locked in a "Turned off" state.

Here is how you can bypass this hardware lock:

1. The "Pin 56 Tape Trick" (Hardware Bypass) This is the most common and successful fix for upgrading older laptops with newer Intel Wi-Fi cards. The M.2 NGFF Wi-Fi card has a specific pin (Pin 56, W_DISABLE1) that controls the Wi-Fi radio. If the motherboard constantly grounds this pin or sends a disable signal, the radio refuses to turn on.

Remove the AX210 card from the laptop.

Cut a microscopic sliver of electrical tape or Kapton tape.

Carefully cover Pin 56 on the AX210 card (you can find exact pinout diagrams for M.2 Key A/E Wi-Fi cards via a quick web search to identify the correct pin).

Reinsert the card. This physically blocks the motherboard from turning the radio off, forcing the Wi-Fi radio to stay awake and enabled.

2. Check OEM Hotkey Software

If you do not want to try the tape trick just yet, ensure you have your specific laptop manufacturer's (HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc.) "Hotkey" or "Energy Management" software installed. Sometimes, simply pressing the physical Fn + Wi-Fi key combination with the correct OEM driver installed will send the proper software signal to wake the radio up.

Try masking that pin and your Wi-Fi should immediately allow you to toggle it on!

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Mr. Magoo 20 Reputation points
2026-10-16T06:29:47.1933333+00:00

Hi All.

Good news.. The wifi card WORKING!!!! Hoorayyyyy!!!

I removed the AX210HMW again to check the kapton-tape have slipped off or something.

No this have not moved. So i replaced the card again and checked the Device manager.

No more "Code 10". Now i can see my wifi7 router and connected to the network. :-)

So masking the Pin 20 or Pin 56 is the solution. not a SW fix.

I hope this post can help other with older laptops with defective wifi card that are unobtanium to find. ;-)

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  1. Carl-L 23,620 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-13T08:59:42.6266667+00:00

    Hello Mr. Magoo,

    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

    As a user myself, I don't recall that Windows have any blacklist for Wifi adapter or card. Also, the Bluetooth is working means the card itself is fine.

    Before we proceed further, can you please open an elevated Command Prompt and type in these commands?

    • sc query WlanSvc
    • netsh wlan show drivers
    • netsh wlan show interfaces

    Please let me know the output.

    I'm waiting for your reply.

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  2. Mr. Magoo 20 Reputation points
    2026-10-12T14:07:46.7633333+00:00

    My hope is the Windows support can fix this "blockage"

    Because my laptop can't be upgraded to Windows 11.

    Have not fulfilled the hardware demands.

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  3. Mr. Magoo 20 Reputation points
    2026-10-12T14:04:08.4866667+00:00

    All these are tried. no luck.

    we believe this is the reason. see attached picture.

    Possible reason wifi6E

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