How to Set up both Wired and Wireless Networks to work simultaneously on a Latitude Laptop

Table of Contents:

1. Latitude E3 and E4 laptop Wi-Fi or 3G turns off automatically when LAN cables are connected
2. Why is this happening?
3. How do we stop this from happening?

Latitude E3 and E4 laptop Wi-Fi or 3G turns off automatically when LAN cables are connected

The Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) adapters are automatically shutting off. This is whenever a network cable is connected on Latitude E3 and E4 latitude laptops. (The Exx20 and Exx30 Series.)

This may prevent you from setting up connection sharing, a bridge, or connecting to multiple networks simultaneously.

Why is this happening?

The WLAN or WWAN adapter is disabled at the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) level when a network cable is plugged in.

There are no controls within Windows that enables the adapter until the network cable is unplugged.

Intel wireless adapters may report that the radio switch is turned off even when the switch is physically in the on position.

How do we stop this from happening?

Follow the steps below:

1. In the BIOS setup under Power Management, there is a section for Wireless Radio Control.

2. You can get to the setup screens by pressing F2 or F12 as your laptop starts up.

   • F2 takes you straight to the BIOS where your touchpad lets you navigate the screens.

   • F12 takes you to a Boot once menu where you can select system setup, which takes you to the same place.

3. When Wireless Radio Control is enabled, it senses the connection of the laptop to a wired network and then disables the selected wireless radios (WLAN and/or WWAN)

4. The BIOS default setting is Enabled.

5. You must set this to Disabled, click on Apply, and then Save and Exit - to boot back to your operating system.

6. This allows you to have the Wired and a Wireless network active simultaneously.

(Figure.1 BIOS at Wireless Radio Control Screen)

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