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WiFi won’t connect because network adapter device cannot start and does not exist code 10

Anonymous
2021-04-08T16:59:26+00:00

Even though wifi was working on my other devices, I tried connecting to my network and it couldn’t connect. Now the wifi page doesn’t show any avaikable networks or an option to turn wifi on or off, it only shows airplane mode.

in device manager for the device status of my network adapter, which is Realtek RTL8821CE, it says: “this device cannot start. (Code 10)” and “this device does not exist”.

In the events it says ‘device deleted’, almost a month ago, butI had been using wifi fine after that date.

How do I fix this?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-04-08T17:33:07+00:00

    Good Day Bd_736

    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.

    -Press Windows key + X

    -Go to Device Manager

    -Expand the Network Adapters

    -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 check the connection.

    If issue persist, let's download the updated driver

    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 post 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.

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2021-04-08T17:52:53+00:00


    -Press Windows key + X 
    -Go to Settings 
    -Click Update and Security 
    -Click Troubleshooter then Additional troubleshooter. 
    -Look for Internet Connection and run the troubleshooter. 

    I tried this and it asked to use an Ethernet, but my laptop doesn’t have an Ethernet port. After I skipped that step it says

    “The Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe Adapter adapter is experiencing driver or hardware related problems “ and “A network cable is not properly plugged in or may be broken”

    “-Press Windows key + X 
    -Go to Device Manager 
    -Expand the Network Adapters 
    -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. ”

    It shows two driver options, one is the Realtek with (Microsoft) the other is the Realtek with (Realtek Semiconductor Corp.). I tried both but both times it says “Windows encountered a problem installing the drivers on your device” and “This device cannot start. (Code 10)”


    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 check the connection. ”

    It worked, thank you.

    9 people found this answer helpful.
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