Problem with wireless adapter or access point

[tony84]

Can anyone help with this?
Yesterday my laptop was working fine then my laptop disconnected from the internet.
I did the normal stuff, unplugged the router, restarted my laptop - did not work.
I went on the livechat to vodafone who told me to forget connection and then try to find it again - did not work. Then they told me to change some settings from 5ghz to 50/20 or something like that... Did not work.
I looked online and did windows + x - ipconfig and ip reset (or something similar to that), I have deleted the router from devices and restarted the computer, also did not work.

The bloke at vodafone told me to give it half an hour and it will work - at this point he had spent nearly 2 hours on live chat with me so I assumed it was a fob off but I was happy to leave so did not worry.

I tried my laptop this morning and surprisingly I could connect to the internet.

However...

Every time I close my laptop and open it back up, ordinarily it would connect to my wireless automatically (that button is still ticked) but it does not any more. If I click on connect, it also does not connect.

When I "network and internet" and click on troubleshoot problems it fixes the "problem with wireless adapter or connection point" but then the next time I come on my laptop I have to do the same thing.

Is there a way I can fix this?

Cheers

 

[Nico Albrecht]

Well Tony it would help if you can provide a bit more information such as

My laptop is brand + model
Model name of router
My Operating system is W10, W11

A good starting point based on the limited information would be to have have the power savings turned off for your WIFI card in your laptop and set it to max power. Next is to set up a static IP address for testing and check if the problem persists. Ideally have DNS pointing to 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8 for the test.

Next would be to turn of Anti virus software for testing, came around and issue with Kaspersky free version causing random wifi issues.

I would also check the log file on the router if there is any with Vodafone most likely a cut down version. Test all on 2.4GHz and not 5Ghz for now. If the router has bandwidth steering turn it off and create a 2.4 and 5Ghz AP.

Last but not least check for the wifi driver version and maybe either do a rollback or update of the Wifi driver. Check on the router which firmware version and when it was last updated, if it comes close to when your problem started this might be the issues. There have been recently many new malware in the wild for Linksys, D link and netgear routers ( 90% of the consumer market used ) hijacking and Vodafone might have patched it poorly recently.

 

[tony84]

Haha, awesome! Of all of those I think I only understood the last one and the anti virus.
I have actually dont the last one. And I think the anti virus software is fine.

Windows 10, HP Pavillion laptop 15 if that helps.
The router is a vodafone one, I will have a look at that but I dont think that is the issue. Alexa and my phone connect to the router fine. So I am guessing it is my laptop.

I will take a look at those things you mention tomorrow, I think I may need to concentrate a little more.

 

[Nico Albrecht]

Start with deactivating the power management on the WIFI card.

Disable the Power Off option for the adapter:
1. Open Device Manager. (Win Key+R > type devmgmt.msc > OK)
2. Expand the Network adapters.
3. Right click on the Ethernet/Wireless Adapter and click Properties.
4. Click the Power Management tab.
5. Remove the check mark beside Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
6. Click OK.
7. Test.

Next I would try is install the HP support assistant and check for updates.

 

[tony84]

All ok up to section 4, but Power management is not available.
However, if I click on Properties and then Advanced, there are a list of Properties and then Value.

If I choose Transmit Power - 5 (the highest) has been selected.

 

[Nico Albrecht]

If I choose Transmit Power - 5 (the highest) has been selected.

That would not really make a difference. This setting would be more related to roaming between different wifi AP's in a mesh system. Leave this one at default.

Your missing power management tab could be the issue. If it goes to sleep it might not wake up fast enough. Suspecting that this is related to your issues with this wireless adapter - very slow wake from sleep, sometimes 5ghz band will not reconnect after wake (forcing a restart to resolve), and overall poor wifi speeds.

could be a Windows problem with a recent update. There are some solutions for that google "

wifi Power management tab is missing in device manager​

Or if you are already in the device manage take a note of the WIFI adapter ( Broadcom I reckon ) and go to their website and download latest drivers. What date is listed on the drive tab for the wifi ?

 

[Deleted member 335660]

Have you tried connecting to a different system. Set up hotspot in your phone or go to a friends house. At least you can see if it’s your computer or equipment.

 

[tony84]

Have you tried connecting to a different system. Set up hotspot in your phone or go to a friends house. At least you can see if it’s your computer or equipment.

Tried this. It is the same on that too.

 

[Nico Albrecht]

Well you can do the usual trouble shooting such as drivers, Windows hacks etc.... or simple buy a USB wifi dongle for a 5er and deactivate the old one.

By all means it could be a failing wifi card as well but it seems the power management is not communicating properly with the wifi card and hence the time out on reconnect.

 

[The Byre]

Well you can do the usual trouble shooting such as drivers, Windows hacks etc.... or simple buy a USB wifi dongle for a 5er and deactivate the old one.

My wife had exactly the same problem and it went away instantly with a dual-frequency wifi dongle. You may have to go as high as a tenner nowadays! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153477712619?hash=item23bbfc0aeb:g:NDsAAOSwbihaQYwR