I recently built a PC with an ASUS B850-E WiFi motherboard. Ethernet and Bluetooth work normally, but Windows does not show any WiFi option. Device Manager only lists the wired LAN devices—there is no WLAN adapter, MediaTek device, or even an unknown network device. I installed every MediaTek driver available for this exact board, tried drivers from other B850 models, checked PowerShell, and confirmed that onboard WLAN is enabled in the BIOS. Could this indicate a hardware problem, or is there another way to make Windows detect the WiFi adapter?
2 Answers
Another board using the same MediaTek solution reportedly works with the driver from its ASUS support page, so the platform itself is not automatically incompatible. However, Windows should still show a WiFi adapter or an unknown device if the hardware is present. Because yours is missing entirely and WLAN is enabled in BIOS, I would focus on checking the physical wireless module and antenna connections, then pursue an RMA if reseating or a BIOS reset does not help.
Since Bluetooth is working but the WiFi adapter is completely absent from Device Manager, this is probably not just a driver-selection problem. First install the motherboard chipset and LAN drivers, then check Device Manager for hidden devices or unknown hardware and scan for hardware changes. If WiFi still does not appear anywhere, the wireless module may be faulty, disconnected, or missing. At that point, contact ASUS for a replacement or use a PCIe WiFi card. An Intel AX210-based card is generally a solid option.
So if it still does not appear after those checks, I should install a separate PCIe WiFi card or have the motherboard replaced?
I checked the BIOS setting already, and there is no WLAN or unknown device in Device Manager. Bluetooth and Ethernet remain fully functional.