Network card randomly disappears

[mal]

Hello!

 

A couple months ago I bought a Lenovo ideapad S340-14API (An AMD Model) A couple weeks after I got it, I started having this weird issue where occasionally the wifi and bluetooth cards will disappear.

Specifically, it'll only show up in the windows device manager when ticking "show hidden devices" and it doesn't show up on my linux partition when using lsmod.

 

Only way I've found to resolve this is to restart the laptop until it randomly shows back up. After this, it seems to work perfectly without cutting out or anything.

 

I'm pretty sure this is a hardware or at least BIOS issue, since it happens with both my Windows 10 and arch linux installs. I was considering returning it under warranty, but I honestly couldn't find the right option on lenovo's site. The closest I got it wouldn't let me select UK as a country lol.

 

Anyone had a similar issue?

[RageTester]

Linux uses different drivers doh, maybe these parts don't have any linux drivers available... If something doesn't want to work on linux there is a high chance of hardware problem though. 

As far as I am concerned while ethernet works, it's not a huge problem, you could also get USB dongle for wifi or bluetooth...

[Windows7ge]

Sounds like a hardware/firmware issue since its happening across multiple OS's. Are the cards built into the motherboard or are they removable?

[mal]

5 hours ago, RageTester said:

Linux uses different drivers doh, maybe these parts don't have any linux drivers available... If something doesn't want to work on linux there is a high chance of hardware problem though. 

As far as I am concerned while ethernet works, it's not a huge problem, you could also get USB dongle for wifi or bluetooth...

My bad, I should have clarified it's a laptop.

 

3 hours ago, Windows7ge said:

Sounds like a hardware/firmware issue since its happening across multiple OS's. Are the cards built into the motherboard or are they removable?

Pretty sure it's not a driver issue as it only happens intermittently and not every boot. I haven't opened it up since it uses some weird screws I don't have a driver for but I'd guess it's just a small PCIe card. It is still under manufacturer warranty so I'd rather not open it if it's hardware, but if it's firmware I doubt there's any point in returning it.

[Windows7ge]

Could be you need a BIOS patch. Did you try checking for later releases that claim to address any bug fixes?

[mal]

Sorry for the late reply, I just updated my BIOS and I'm getting the same issue.

 

I still haven't managed to find any actual official support, but I'd rather not return it as its all I have for uni and I don't know how long the turnaround will be. I'll need to pick up a torx screwdriver but when I do I'll probably try to disassemble it and check the wifi card is in right.

[mal]

A little update in case anyone has a similar issue, it looks like the problem has something to do with secure boot.

I had it disabled since I'm running a dual boot and that's just easier but after enabling it with both my own custom keys and microsoft's keys (an ordeal) it looks like it's being a lot more consistent now. Hopefully it stays like that.