How to fix internet driver going out? Is my PC broken?

Question

Hi, I use a HP Pavilion 500 PC series computer running windows 10. After a random amount of time, the internet stops working. its not my router, it still works. I keep having to right click the taskbar icon and click troubleshoot and wait for it to finish. Can anything help me? Is my PC done for? I've already turned off sleep when not in use and it still is happening.

Answer 1

Hi, no worries about performing a clean boot. You may also check the link to confirm that it will only disable unnecessary background services. If that option does not work for you, you may proceed with downloading and installing the latest network driver from your manufacturer’s website.

Answer 2

Hi,try downloading https://support.hp.com/gb-en/help/hp-support-assistant HP Support Assistant (it has more tools)

Answer 3

Dear Rory Patton, 

I can understand how inconvenient this is, especially when the connection drops again after working normally for a while and you need to run the troubleshooter each time. From the behavior you described, more checks would still be needed before deciding whether this is a hardware issue with the PC itself. At this point, I recommend that you review and try the steps provided in the Independent Advisor’s answer on your thread. That reply typically include the most relevant checks for this scenario. 

To help narrow this down, could you please confirm the following? 

• Are you connected through Wi-Fi or Ethernet (wired connection) when this happens? 
• When the issue occurs, do other devices on the same network still have internet access? 
• What message does the Windows troubleshooter show after it finishes? 
• Did this start after any recent Windows update, driver update, or change to the device? 

In the meantime, you may try the steps below: 

1. Prevent Windows from turning off the network adapter 

• Press Windows + X and select Device Manager. 
• Expand Network adapters. 
• Right-click the adapter you are currently using and select Properties. 
• Go to the Power Management tab. 
• Clear the checkbox for: Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power 
• Select OK and monitor the connection. 

2. Reinstall the current network adapter 

• Open Device Manager. 
• Expand Network adapters. 
• Right-click the active network adapter and select Uninstall device. 
• Restart the PC. 
• After restart, Windows should detect and reinstall the adapter automatically. 
• If available, it would also be useful to compare the installed driver with the driver offered on the HP support page for your exact HP Pavilion 500 series model. 

3. Run Network Reset in Windows 10 

• Open Settings. 
• Go to Network & Internet. 
• Select Status. 
• Choose Network reset. 
• Restart the PC after the reset completes. 
• Please note that after this step, saved network settings may need to be configured again. 

While my initial response may not fully resolve the issue, I truly appreciate your cooperation as we work together toward identifying the most effective solution. Thank you so much for your understanding. 

I hope these steps help improve the connection stability on your HP Pavilion and reduce the need to run the network troubleshooter repeatedly. Wishing you success with the checks above and hoping your Windows 10 device returns to a more stable and reliable network experience. 

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Answer 4

Hi, I'm Bernard, a fellow Windows user. I'm happy to help!

This issue occurs when there is a miscalibration with the network driver. To sort out the issue, kindly follow the steps below:

Method 1. Roll back the network driver:

-Press the Windows key + X

-Go to Device Manager

-Expand the Network Adapters

-Look for the Wireless driver that was installed

-Right-click and click Update Driver

-Select Browse my computer for drivers

-Click Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer

-Choose an old driver or another driver name, then select it and hit next until it installs.

-Restart the PC and check.

If the issue persists, run the following command in Terminal (Admin). Follow the steps below to do so.

These sets of commands will reset the internet connection and recalibrate the internet settings you have.

Press Windows Key + X.

Click on the Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (admin)

Type the following commands, and hit Enter after each command:

netsh int tcp set heuristics disabled
netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled
netsh int tcp set global rss=enabled
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

If the same issue follows the methods below:

Do a clean boot:

A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs so that you can determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program.

• In the search box on the taskbar, type msconfig and select System Configuration from the results.
• On the Services tab of System Configuration, select Hide all Microsoft services, and then select Disable all.
• On the Startup tab of System Configuration, select Open Task Manager.
• Under Startup in Task Manager, for each startup item, select the item and then select Disable.
• Close Task Manager.
• On the Startup tab of System Configuration, select OK. When you restart the computer, it's in a clean boot environment.

Troubleshooting reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd

Note: If the issue persists, I suggest contacting a local technician to physically check the device for any hardware-related issues.