Windows 10 doesn't connect to Wi-Fi anymore.

Question

Windows 10 doesn't connect to Wi-Fi anymore.

Anonymous

Yeah, so this problem has been going on for at least a week or two now, but I didn't start fixing it until about five days ago. Or at least I tried to, all to no avail.

Before this, my computer did disconnect to Wi-Fi numerous times before, and I wouldn't be able to get back online unless I restarted, and then after the restart, the problem would be resolved. To be fair, I guess maybe the reasoning for this is because my PC is just constantly slow, I'm not even sure how old it is because I just found it somewhere. It's a Compaq Presario CQ57 laptop that previously had Windows 7 installed on it, but it has since been updated to 10 (so, maybe 2009-2011?)

It all started a couple of nights ago when the Wi-Fi disconnected again (I think this happens around the nighttime, say 12am maybe?). So I go and restart just because, and I find out that the little globe with the "no" symbol is still there after the restart. I just said "whatever", and turned it off for the night. Then a few days later I turn it back on and the "Not Connected" is still there. I click on it, and there are no networks listed at all, and the "Wi-Fi" and "Mobile hotspot" options are gone. And the airplane mode option is also grayed out.

So I went on the network and internet settings to see what I could find. I tried troubleshooting, it wasn't really no help as it just told me to plug an Ethernet cable into the computer. On "Change adapter settings", Ethernet sure enough is the only thing that comes up on the list. No Wi-Fi at all. I do have a router with an Ethernet cable (it's connected to a cable box, though), so I eventually went and plugged it in to the computer, and I was somehow back online. Apparently, another person who also had this problem plugged in an Ethernet cable to the PC, and somehow the Wi-Fi networks came back up for them. That WAS the whole reason why I plugged a cable to the computer and, ultimately, it didn't work. Additionally I also fiddled with the sharing options, and it was also no help.

After about a whole day of trying to fix the problem, I figured a system restore would solve it once and for all. So I went back to a date before this occurred, and it didn't help at all. Matter of fact, it made things even worse because when I tried to log in about an hour later (I went somewhere and closed the PC for a while), the "background" for the login screen went blue, as in the screen when the PC shuts down, and sure enough the PC restarted. And it wouldn't boot at all. It just tried to "repair" itself, and I couldn't even get into the system anymore because it kept taking me to the recover option screen. Thankfully, I downloaded an ISO, reinstalled Windows 10 and the system boots fine now, so never mind this.

The only problem however, the PC STILL can't connect to Wi-Fi. So finally, I've seen many answers about going into the Device Manager, so I go check it out. There was this Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter thing that I uninstalled, and then I tried to install another Wi-Fi driver that hopefully solved the problem. Despite downloading it and setting it up twice (I downloaded it via phone, then connected the phone to the PC and copied the files to the computer), it still did no effect to my computer at all. The driver I downloaded was "REALTEK SD Wireless LAN Driver" from the HP site (HP and Compaq are the same company). On second thought though, the driver doesn't even show up in the Device Manager, so maybe that could be it? Or maybe I just downloaded the wrong one altogether?

So, there IS a Wi-Fi button on the computer, but pressing it does nothing, it just stays orange no matter what (I never even paid attention to the light before, so I probably can't confirm if it's broken or not, but I do swear it was still orange even when it was connected). And no it's not a problem with the router at all, everything else still connects fine, except this PC which only seems to respond to Ethernet.

How else can I fix this?

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8 answers

Answer 1

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the issue you are having. I actually had the same problem. And did most of the possible solution that you have done.

However, this is the only thing that worked for me.

I tried Re-imaging my OS.

Windows 10 has a built-in tool called Reset this PC that can help you remove everything and reinstall Windows, which allows you to re-image Windows 10 without CD or USB drive.

If you can boot Windows 10 successfully

Click Start and navigate to Settings > Update&Security > Recovery.
From there, click the button Get Started under Reset this PC to launch Windows 10 Reset.

Reset This PC

In a pop-up window, choose the second option Remove everything.

Remove Everything

Then you can select Just remove my files or Remove files and clean the drive. If you have more than one hard drive installed on this computer, you will also be asked to select clean all drive or just the one where Windows installed.

Clean The Drive

Then click Next to Start the process. During the process, your computer will reboot several times, and you just need to wait for its completion.

Credits to this website for reference: https://www.ubackup.com/windows-10/reimage-wind...

Hope that helps,

Answer 2

Anonymous

Greg,

I've fixed some of your links, but there are still a few broken links in your post.

Don

Don, thank you so much! Corrected and saved.

0 comments

Answer 3

I'll give you everything that works to fix Wifi so that at least something will work. Even if you've already tried a step please try or check it again in sequence. If you need any assistance I'll be standing by here to help:

[snip]

- - -

Greg,

I've fixed some of your links, but there are still a few broken links in your post.

Don

Answer 4

*Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 5

I'll give you everything that works to fix Wifi so that at least something will work. Even if you've already tried a step please try or check it again in sequence. If you need any assistance I'll be standing by here to help:

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 Device Manager > Network Adapters, select Wifi adapter, then Power Management tab, clear the check box to "Allow the computer to turn off the device to save energy." Then on the Advanced tab disable any energy-saving options.

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 explained here:

https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninstall-and-block-updates-and-drivers-on-windows-10/

You can also use System Restore to get before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them.

If this was caused by Version update then you can roll it back in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and then hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool.

For Wifi won't connect after Version 1903:

https://windows101tricks.com/fix-wifi-keeps-dis...

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/wi-fi-and-bluetooth-not-working-after-windows-10-may-2019-update-heres-how-to-fix-it/

How to fix Wi-Fi problems on the Windows 10 October 2018 Update • Pureinfotech

Enable IPv6 in the network adapter settings:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/90033-enable-disable-ipv6-windows.html

Run the fixit from https://support.microsoft.com/help/929852 (Re-enable IPv6 on all nontunnel interfaces) and reboot.

Right click the network icon in System Tray at bottom right end of task bar to Troubleshoot Problems.

Try all of these steps:

Fix network connection issues in Windows - Windows Help

[How To] Reset Network Settings To Default In Windows 10

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.

Try powering off modem, router and PC and then restarting in that order with 1 minute in between each. You may need to reset your router or even optimize it following these steps:

https://www.lifewire.com/resetting-a-home-network-router-818061

https://www.pcmag.com/article/258865/how-to-set-up-and-optimize-your-wireless-router

Your router manual is always available from the manufacturer's website for your exact model.

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/OURLiNK-600Mbps-Wireless-Network-Computer/dp/B011T5IF06

If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, and is also the most stable method to advance to the latest version. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install

I hope this helps.

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Windows 10 doesn't connect to Wi-Fi anymore.

8 answers