Wifi adapter disables itself randomly - unable to enable it until reboot
I purchased a new Dell Inspiron 15 Windows 10 laptop and for some reason the built in wifi adapter disables itself randomly, and will only go back to being enabled until a reboot. Then randomly it will do the same thing over and over again. If I click on the wifi signal in the system tray, it will say "no networks available". I then will go into control panel/network sharing center/change adapter settings and the wifi adapter is disabled - I'll then right click to enable, and it will remain disabled no matter how many times I do it. But like I mentioned, when I reboot, it connects perfectly fine. It could be 15 minutes or an hour, but it will repeat over and over. There is also an F Key that has a wireless tower on it, I've hit that and the Fn button to make sure that it's not causing the issue, and it does nothing to help. If anyone has any info on this very frustrating issue it would be appreciated!
nobus
check the power settings for the adaptor in cintrol panel>Energy options, and set it to never power down
I agree. Although one would not expect a power state change to do this, it should be set. Also try newer drivers.
ASKER
Hi - I'm sorry I forgot to add that did check the powers settings and I did change it from "turn off to conserved power" to "always on" - I don't check the driver because I figured any computer having Win10 (not an upgrade) would have the appropriate drivers.
"because I figured any computer having Win10 (not an upgrade) would have the appropriate drivers" - that word "appropriate" is not applicable here. Drivers that "match" can also have bugs. Look for an updated driver.
Update the driver first. If that does not work, then you may want to check into whether the card itself might be bad. Do you have access to a USB one or even a replacement internal one that can be installed?
if you post the exact modle - we may find your drivers
there are several models of inspiron 15
there are several models of inspiron 15
ASKER
Hi - sorry for the delay - here's whats happened since:
I removed the wifi adapter from device manager, rebooted and when it came back up it was working again. I rebooted, and it still was working.
2 hours later, i looked and the wifi was disconnected from the router again, was showing "no connections available, and the wifi adapter was disabled, and right clicking/enable was not enabling it. it still remained disabled.
I went to device manager, deleted it again, this time checking the box to "remove driver software for this device" as well. rebooted, it picked up the device, and i installed the newest driver from the Dell site. all good for about 12 hours. Then the same thing started all over again. wifi adapter disabled, unable to enable. Ugh.
I removed the wifi adapter from device manager, rebooted and when it came back up it was working again. I rebooted, and it still was working.
2 hours later, i looked and the wifi was disconnected from the router again, was showing "no connections available, and the wifi adapter was disabled, and right clicking/enable was not enabling it. it still remained disabled.
I went to device manager, deleted it again, this time checking the box to "remove driver software for this device" as well. rebooted, it picked up the device, and i installed the newest driver from the Dell site. all good for about 12 hours. Then the same thing started all over again. wifi adapter disabled, unable to enable. Ugh.
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ASKER
Its a brand new laptop - If anything, i'd have Dell replace it.
In that case, contact Dell. One other thing that I might be able to suggest is trying to reset the TCP/IP stack, but that is highly improbable to help you at all.
You never did mention whether this issue happens everywhere or just at home. wlwhat type of router you are using? Could be that it needs a firmware upgrade. There are a number of routers that need one to play nice with newer wireless cards.
You never did mention whether this issue happens everywhere or just at home. wlwhat type of router you are using? Could be that it needs a firmware upgrade. There are a number of routers that need one to play nice with newer wireless cards.
ASKER
It happens in multiple locations. Also, I wouldn't think that the wifi card on the laptop would disable itself if the router needed new firmware. I still think the strangest thing is when I remove the adapter from device manager, reboot, when it comes up it will work for a while - that's what (at this point) makes ne think the adapter is faulty.
so yes - return it to Dell for servicing
Depending on how new the driver that Dell provides is, I'd rather go for a driver directly from the network card's manufacturer. Or, try a bootable linux like knoppix and see how that behaves.
Passing that problem to Dell is of course ok but I'd try these.
Passing that problem to Dell is of course ok but I'd try these.