How to enable or disable the wireless feature on a Dell Latitude E6420 laptop

On a Dell Latitude E6420, like on many laptops, you can turn the wireless function on or off with the flick of a switch.  If you don't know this switch is there, it can cause headaches as you try to troubleshoot why your wireless connection isn't working.

The switch is located on the right side of the laptop, and it is pictured here.  Pushing the switch toward the rear of the laptop (away from the user) turns the wireless function off, and pushing the switch toward the front of the laptop (toward the user) turns the wireless function on.  You can tell by looking at the switch whether the wireless connection is enabled or disabled by the color; if you see red (or orange) then the wireless has been switched off.

Turning the wireless on or off with this switch is almost instantaneous; there is virtually no lag time when you enable the wireless with the switch, other than the time it takes to connect to whatever wireless network you are set up to connect to.  Turning the switch off immediately disconnects the laptop from any wireless network that it was in communication with.