Windows 11 Wi-Fi Adapter Disappeared

Question

Hi, fellow Windows users.

My wifi is problematic and it started happening since I updated to Windows 11. I've seen people with similar problems in the forums here and even on other websites but after trying (almost) all of their suggested solutions, I still can't solve the problem here. I've tried these solutions, but to no avail: winsock reset, network reset, unchecking "Allow computer to turn off this device to save power" in the driver properties, turning all the network settings to default, and all the troubleshooting options available. I would try to be as specific as I could in explaining my problems here.

It happens in a few particular situations, but I can't seem to find what these situations have in common. When playing games like Genshin Impact (online games), Hades (offline games), Overcooked (offline mode), or just being AFK long enough from my laptop, my wifi would disconnect, and then when I try to reconnect it, it would say "Can't connect to this network" while the wifi is actually fine on other devices. And if I'm lucky, I could just use the network troubleshoot and the problem is solved but only temporarily, and it would eventually happen again. And if I'm unlucky, my wifi button would disappear completely and in the Device Manager, my wifi adapter would be "hidden". Then I have to restart my laptop, and if I'm lucky, one restart would fix it, sometimes it takes 3 restarts, but other times the wifi adapter would be completely gone and I have to use "Startup Repairs" from my BIOS menu to fix this (which was a very random solution, but it was one of the myriads of solutions I've looked up, and it actually helped). But weirdly enough, this doesn't happen when I'm playing Minecraft (online games) and Overcooked (online mode).

This was never a problem for me when I'm using Windows 10, but according to what I've read in the forums, many people seemed to have had this problem even when they were using Windows 10. So, I don't know if it's a Windows 11 problem, or my wifi adapter. One thing for sure is I know this is not a problem with my connection, but rather it's my network adapter. So if anyone could help me out, I would really appreciate it.

PS. One thing I haven't successfully done is reinstalling the wifi network adapter, since I couldn't find a proper driver for the installation anywhere on the internet. After uninstalling the network adapter, I've actually downloaded a driver for the installation, but it doesn't help at all. My adapter isn't showing in the Device Manager, and I had to use the "Startup Repairs" from my BIOS menu to actually reinstall my wifi network adapter. My laptop is ASUS TUF A15, running on AMD Ryzen 7 4800H. The network adapter is Realtek 8822CE Wireless LAN 802.11ac PCI-E NIC. Thank you so much.

Answer 1

This worked for me too- thanks!

Answer 2

OS: Windows 11
Machine: Inspiron 14 5000 2 in 1
Driver: Intel Wireless AC -9560

When did it happen: Last night, 6/25/2022, after a windows update. Showed error code 10 on driver
More important info: Ethernet & wireless driver did not appear under network adapters. However, when I connected my laptop to my docking station, the ethernet adapter appeared. The wireless adapter did not apear but showed as disabled under devmgt.msc.

Things I tried:

(1) Uninstalled driver. Tried to reinstall driver using Dell Support Assist via website, got an error that it was forbidden by system policy. Opened up GPE via gpedit.msc. Go to --> Local Computer Policy--> Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> Windows Installer. Double-click Prohibit non-administrators from applying vendor signed updates, change from "Not Configured" to "Disabled". Installed driver, restarted, wireless adapter still not working.

(2) Shut down machine. Turned on, pressed F2 repeatedly until BIOS came up.

Made changes in BIOS - (A) Made sure WLAN & Bluetooth were checked under Wireless Switch
(B) Made sure WNLAN & BLuetooth were checked under Wireless enable

Restarted machine, wireless adapter still not working.

What eventually fixed it:

(3) Ran Dell Support Assist one more time & it showed there was one more urgent update needed, it was a BIOS update. Ran that, restarted. My WI-FI is working. I was able to click on wireless connections, select my Home Wi-Fi & add in the network credentials.

It's possible that a combination of everything I tried is eventually what fixed it.

URL that helped me resolve this issue (thanks to all of these users, their answers helped me to resolve my issue fairly quickly):

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/intel-software-installer-the-installation-is/ddd6d331-e7e9-460b-b36c-60d8d7462587

I hope this helps someone else.

Answer 3

It seems this post is about the wifi adaptor is missing in the recent March and April 2022.

I have the same issue too. I tried most of the above methods (except BIOS menu) so I won't mention for those suggestions again.

Firstly, I want to complain how Windows 11 cause this problem so many times. Last several time I was lucky which fixed by restarting the laptop. However, this time I was taking my laptop outside for work and trying to connect my phone hotspot, and not getting lucky anymore. The situation was so annoying, embarrassing and furious.

I think it's not my own laptop fault, it is common for many Wins11 users as the search engine results shown. I hope Microsoft take this seriously because apart from audio or screen mirroring missing or disable(which happened to me) internet connection is crucial.

Secondly, I am looking for help too. It seems out of no where the windows adjusted my network adaptor. You can see the errors in my screenshot.

I ran troubling shooting and ran the recommended Network reset. It seems the driver cannot be fixed. Since I'm outside, if I was at home, I could connect ethernet through the router and search for driver update.

At this point, any suggestion?

Answer 4

I'm having the exact same issue except my driver is completely gone from my laptop it wont appear on any of my system settings and my adapter seems to have gone with it

Answer 5

I have same problem

Im also having same please share solution if you have got any..