windows 10 not recognizing any usb wifi devices.

I'll try to say what happens with each one of the tips you've offered then:

1. the icon that shows up is the "no internet adaptors are connected" icon. (The ethernet icon but with a red circle and an X)
2. using the troubleshooting tools gives a "troubleshooting couldn't identify the problem"
3. there is no option to toggle WI-FI on either my keyboard or the settings

4/5. I have previously attempted, and although wi fi was restored to other devices, my computer at some point gained the issue i'm having now.

6. Tried each one provided by the link, none of it appears to have affected.
7. although there doesnt seem to have been a driver update recently, the most recent one I was able to find did not fix it.
8. The option to roll back drivers is greyed out, my best guess is that windows already removed previous driver versions.
9. I am fairly certain this isn't an issue with the internet providers, as other devices are working fine.
10. If attempting to use a hotspot did not work, I doubt another adaptor would work.
11. Unfortuntly the router is a floor down from my computer, so ethernet does not seem like a viable option.
12. I tried uninstalling the two updates which were installed today, although only one of them was able to uninstall, it didnt seem to make a difference.
13. Ive made the mistake of never setting up a restore point.
14. This issue started today, not at that update.

thanks for the reply, sadly i've already tried most of what you suggested, and didnt work. my issue is also with a desktop PC, not a laptop, so I dont think theres any way to apply those solutions. The icon i'm seeing is the ethernet cable but with an x, indicating that no network adaptors are connected, and there are no options to select a network, despite that i have a usb network adaptor connected.

I can confirm that the adaptor itself is working on different computers.

And I guess I'll try to re-itirate: I've already tried searching for an answer via google, and almost everything you have suggested were things that I already attempted in the past 2 or so hours, which is what has led me to ask here.

All the steps I gave will work for desktops too. You wrote in your original post that you had a USB router which means nothing, so I gave you the whole list of everything that works so at least something would work.

Now that you clarified that you have a USB wireless adapter, does it work in another PC? If not then I'd replace it with an inexpensive nano adapter Like the one I linked which has worked for everyone I've suggested it and so far no one has reported it failed.

The steps also take longer than 30 minutes to perform, so when you get a chance I'd actually complete them because at least one of them always works for countless thousands of people I've shared the list with.

Hi Tupe. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

I'll give you everything else possible to try in order of priority so that hopefully something works:

Which network icon is showing in System Tray: the Wireless waves or Ethernet TV with plug? Left click to see if any Networks show up to sign into.

If not right click the network icon in System Tray at bottom right end of task bar to Troubleshoot Problems.

Check that the wireless button on a laptop is toggled on. It may be a Function (Fn) key or it may be an actual switch on the side.

Try powering off modem, router and PC and then restarting in that order with 1 minute in between each.

Try all of these steps: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10741/...

https://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-reset-network-...

Update your network adapter drivers from the PC maker's Support Downloads web page using the full model number, HP Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

If you have the latest network driver then try on it's Driver tab also to Roll Back, or Uninstall and then restart PC to reinstall the driver. Try also all older drivers from Update Driver > Browse > Let Me Pick list working backwards.

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WIfi > Manage Known Networks, highlight and remove the network having problems, restart PC to see if it shows up again.

Try plugging in by ethernet cable to the router to compare, then plug the ethernet cable into the modem (if separate) to see if this might be an issue with the router.

You also are entitled to Support from your internet provider to get online on all devices. This is always included in the monthly bill. If your router is less than a year old they will also Support getting it connected and optimized.

Another option is you could replace the wireless adapter with an inexpensive USB nano adapter like this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XSFPDFX/ref=asc_df...

Or you can use an Ethernet cable as necessary which should connect automatically.

if this was caused by Windows Updates then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Installed Updates, then uninstall them from the link there, and hide with the Hide Updates tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

You can also use System Restore to get before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them: http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/how-t...

If this was caused by Version 1809 Update, if it's too late to roll it back I can help you shrink C by about 50gb in Disk mgmt to do a test Install to the shrink space, which will configure a Dual Boot you can sign into to set up to see if the problem goes away. If so I'll then help you move into the new install and eventually delete the old one and recover its space. Steps here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2672-parti...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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