No WiFi adapter detected after Linux install

After reinstalling a Linux distribution on a Toshiba laptop you might find that the WiFi adaptor is hard-blocked. You can confirm this with the rfkill command:

> rfkill list
0: Toshiba Bluetooth: Bluetooth
    Soft blocked: no
    Hard blocked: no
1: phy0: Wireless LAN
    Soft blocked: no
    Hard blocked: yes. <== This is the problematic one

You will find that it will not get unblocked with the command rfkill unblock 1 (where 1 is the number of the device indicated in the previous output).

On my Toshiba Satellite S50-B-126 the solution is:

• Make sure the laptop is unplugged.
• Remove the battery (you need to unscrew two little screws on the back of the laptop).
• Plug in the laptop
• Press the power button for 30 seconds
  • The laptop should start up and show that the WiFi adapter is available
  • If not, try again.