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New PC shows no available networks (except mobile hotspot)

Anonymous
2021-03-11T00:47:25+00:00

I'm attempting to set up a new PC, running Windows 10 Home version 20H2 build 19042.867, however when I start it up and click on the wifi button it shows no available networks. If I turn on my mobile hotspot I can see and connect to that and all the built in troubleshooting tools say the network adapter is fine and don't flag up any other problems (other than "you aren't connected" or "you haven't chosen one of the available networks" if I run it while it's not connected to my hotspot). I've already done some pretty extensive troubleshooting:

  • updated drivers using the Intel website. adapter is Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168. current driver version is 19.51.33.1.
  • updated Windows
  • restarted the router
  • services.msc shows all the services relating to the wlan/network that have been suggested in other threads are already running
  • disabled and stopped IP Helper (also in services.msc) and restarted, no change so re-enabled it
  • made sure network discovery is turned on
  • confirmed location is correct
  • in the properties of the network adapter under Advanced tab I have tried all different values for the 802.11a/b/g and 802.11n/ac Wireless Modes
  • I have attempted to join the home wifi manually by typing in the SSID and password, it says it successfully added the network but hasn't connected to it and still does not show it as an available network (done this both for the standard network and the specifically 5Ghz)
  • the expected wifi networks do not show in the command prompt when running netsh wlan show networks, nor do they show in the wifi menu from the lock screen
  • ran several command line prompts as admin, eg netsh int ip reset, netsh winsock reset
  • in MS Config changed startup selection to normal start up (was on selective startup) and restarted computer. at this point it briefly showed my home wifi network and I started connecting to it, but then it reported "cannot connect to this network" and it disappeared again.
  • uninstalled the network adapter and restarted computer

I've probably missed a few as well. I went through the whole 16 pages of this thread and did basically everything with no change.

Obviously since it's brand new there's no VPNs or malware.

I'm on the other side of the house from the router so running ethernet would be impractical and I'd rather not spend up to $100 in local currency for a USB wifi adapter as someone else on that thread ended up doing, especially since I don't actually know that it would work.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-03-11T14:25:26+00:00

    Greetings Porcubear,

    I appreciate your time getting back to this thread, try to uninstall the wireless Intel Wireless driver that was installed and re-install it back to get the latest version of the driver.

    -Press Windows key + X

    -Go to Device Manager

    -Expand the Network Adapter

    -Look for Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168

    -Right click and Uninstall.

    Once uninstalled, go to this link below and download the updated driver.

    https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/30208...

    Once downloaded and installed, restart your computer and check the networks

    I hope the information above helps. Please let me know how it goes.

    Have a wonderful day ahead and stay safe.

    Sincerely,

    Carlo T.

    Standard Disclaimer: 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.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-03-11T20:22:27+00:00

    Hi Porcubear ,

    Do the other wireless devices in your home detect your home network and other Wi-Fi networks in the area?

    You have not provided any answer on this ...

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-03-11T10:32:46+00:00

           ...If I turn on my mobile hotspot I can see and connect to that... 

    Hi Porcubear ,

    are you referring to your phone's mobile hotspot or windows 10's mobile hotspot? Do other wireless devices in your home detect your wi-fi network and nearby networks? Try following this guide: 

    https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/how-to-reinstall-wi-fi-driver-on-windows-10-easily/ 

    NOTE: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to provide accurate and secure information. Beware of ads on the site that may advertise products often classified as PUPs (potentially unwanted products).

    Ignore advertising tips, do not use third-party driver installation programs.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-03-11T06:39:05+00:00

    The only things I hadn't done there was ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew. These both came back with the errors "No operation can be performed on [Wi-fi 2, Ethernet 4, etcetc] while it has its media disconnected" which matches what I found in the wlan report in the meantime - in the output for ipconfig /all it shows "Media State: Media disconnected" for all connection types, and "Connection-specific DNS suffix" is blank. They do have DHCP and Autoconfiguration enabled though. I looked up media disconnected and followed all of these steps but none helped.

    My PC is a custom build (though put together by experts, I don't trust my abilities enough to do it myself yet, and it used the company's PC builder tool to make sure the parts were all compatible) so System model just says "To be filled by O.E.M.". The motherboard is brand ASRock (A520M/ac) and the processor is AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-core.

    While I was there I also checked Components > Network > Adapter and each item for the Adapter Type says either Not Available (most of them) or Ethernet 802.3 (the Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168 and the Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter). Not sure if that's a problem, it certainly seems odd to me though. IP address, IP subnet, Default IP gateway, DHCP server, DHCP lease expires and DHCP lease obtained are all Not available.

    I may need to head into the city for a long ethernet cable tomorrow to at least see whether that works...

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-03-11T01:22:59+00:00

    Good Day Porcubear,

    My name is Carlo, I'm an Independent Advisor and community member like you.

    I am also using Windows 10 pc. Let us work together to sort this out.

    Here's the steps you can try.

    -Press Windows key + X

    -Go to Settings

    -Click Update and Security

    -Click Troubleshooter then Additional troubleshooter.

    -Look for Internet Connection and run the troubleshooter.

    Once done proceed with these steps.

    -Press Windows key + X

    -Go to Device Manager

    -Expand the Network Adapter

    -Look for Wireless driver that was installed

    -Right click and Update

    -Look for "Browse my computer for driver

    -Let me pick drivers available drivers

    -Choose an old driver and use it.

    Reset Network Settings

    Open Settings.

    Click on Network & Internet.

    Click on Status.

    Under the "Change your network settings" section, click the Network reset option.

    Click the Reset now button.

    Click the Yes button.

    -Click Start, type CMD and run as administrator

    -Copy and paste each of the command below and hit enter.

    netsh int ip reset

    netsh advfirewall reset

    netsh winsock reset

    ipconfig / flushdns

    ipconfig / release

    ipconfig / renew

    Restart your computer and try to connect.

    If issue persist, let's download the updated driver from the manufacturers website.

    What is the exact model of your computer?

    To check the system model proceed with these steps.

    -Press Windows key + R

    -Type msinfo32 and hit enter.

    -Look for the system model and provide it here.

    I hope the information above helps. Please let me know how it goes.

    Have a wonderful day ahead and stay safe.

    Sincerely,

    Carlo T.

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