why would wifi come and go come and go?

[abrogard]

I have win10 on a machine on our home lan. the lan functions perfectly for 5 other machines on it.
Also for that machine most of the time.
but sometimes it will boot with no connection - though 'connections available'
and sometimes even with 'no connections found'
where the previous night it was working perfectly.
sometimes set DNS to auto fixes it.
sometimes set DNS to a fixed address fixes it.
IPv6 on or off the same.
No matter what - the problem comes back.
The troubleshooter does dumb things like report no ethernet cable as the problem when it is troubleshooting wifi adapter
This morning I finally get it going after swapping adapters and usb ports.
Working fine.
Then ten minutes later it's all gone again.
'Can't connect to network' right now.
It seems erratic and irrational. I've installed/uninstalled drivers, too.
I think it needs a 'higher level' fix: like the whole internet module replacing.
Or maybe a whole new install of windows.
Any ideas/suggestions?

 

[ChatGPT]

Your issue indeed seems perplexing, however, I must assure you that you're not alone in dealing with bizarre WiFi behavior. Now, coming to the issues presented, there could be several potential causes. Allow me to list them down, and potentially suggest some solutions:

1. Router/Modem issue: Sometimes, the issue can be on the router's side, despite other devices working fine. The solution could be as simple as resetting your router/modem or updating its firmware.
2. Interference: Similar devices in proximity, such as other Wireless devices or microwaves, can interfere with the WiFi signal. Try moving your computer and see if the connection improves.
3. Power Management: Windows 10, by default, has a setting in the Network Adapter's properties that allows the computer to turn off the WiFi to save power. Navigate to Device Manager > Network Adapters > Select your WiFi Adapter > Properties > Power Management > Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
4. Positioning of Adapter: If you're using a USB Wi-Fi adapter, its position may influence signal strength. Try moving the adapter or using a USB extension to position it in a more optimal location.
5. Outdated Drivers: Ensure your network adapter drivers are up-to-date. If they are and you're still experiencing issues, you might want to consider rolling them back to a previous version, as sometimes new drivers can also be the source of problems.
6. Windows Network Troubleshooter: I understand your frustration with Windows' troubleshooter, however, it can sometimes throw a potential answer.
7. System File Corruption: Sometimes Windows system files can become corrupt and cause network issues. You can use Windows System File Checker to look for and repair these files.
8. OS reinstallation: If none of the above steps work, your suspicion about needing a new install of windows could potentially be correct. This is kind of a last-resort and a drastic measure but there are chances that it might solve the problem. Your WiFi connectivity issues could stem from any of these problems, or an unfortunate combination of them. I would recommend trying these solutions in order to determine whether any can rectify your issue.

 

[realpaoz]

Try changing the router or re-installing Windows. Perhaps the router from the ISP limits the number of devices.

 

[ussnorway]

sounds more hardware to me and i would swap out the cables with new ones as my next step... i would also replace the powerboard its plugged into

 

[TimurSan]

WiFi Analyzer is one good win app to see wifi issues.

 

[Monika AA]

And I have a problem with the fact that I can't connect to a Wi-Fi network. The computer sees the wi-fi, but for some reason I can't connect. Turning to a specialist, I was told that the problem was in the drivers. That I need to uninstall them and download them again. But I have not done such actions yet. What can you advise me?

 

[ChatGPT]

You make a great point—it’s critical to isolate whether the issue is caused by the router, the Wi-Fi environment, or the device itself. Situations like unreliable Wi-Fi connections often occur due to hardware limitations, software interactions, or even signal interference. Let’s unpack your suggestions and explore some deeper troubleshooting based on these potential causes.

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Key Causes of Wi-Fi Dropping (Coming/Going)​

1. Router Issues:
   • ISP-provided routers often limit the number of simultaneously connected devices, as you suggested, or may throttle bandwidth across active connections.
   • Outdated firmware on the router can result in intermittent drops—especially under load (e.g., many devices streaming or gaming).
2. Signal Interference:
   • Overlapping Wi-Fi channels (especially on 2.4GHz) can cause drops if nearby routers use the same frequencies.
   • Physical obstacles or electromagnetic interference (e.g., from microwaves or cordless phones) weaken the signal.
3. Device Configuration or Issues:
   • The networking adapter in your device could be outdated, misconfigured, or failing.
   • Corrupted drivers on Windows might fail to maintain a stable connection.
4. Environmental Factors or Distance:
   • If the device is physically far from the router or there are multiple walls/obstructions, signal strength will degrade, leading to instability.

---

1. Test the Router​

Your suggestion to test a different router is spot-on. Start with this:

A. Eliminate ISP Router Limitations​

1. Log into your router's admin interface (check the label for credentials, typically on 192.168.1.1).
2. Look for:
   • Device limits: Make sure it’s not capping the total number of active connections.
   • QoS (Quality of Service): Disable QoS temporarily—some ISPs throttle certain devices based on usage.
3. Restart the router to flush any connection issues.

B. Test with Another Router​

• Borrow a router or use a higher-end consumer-grade device (e.g., ASUS, TP-Link, etc.) to rule out hardware limitations or faulty firmware in the current setup.

C. Update Router Firmware​

• Most router issues can be mitigated by updating to the latest firmware:
  • Check the manufacturer’s website or your router's interface for an update tool.
  • Restart after updating.

---

2. Update and Verify Device Settings​

If switching routers doesn’t resolve the issue, the problem could be tied to the device itself.

A. Update Wi-Fi Drivers​

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
2. Expand Network Adapters and find your Wi-Fi adapter.
3. Right-click > Update Driver > Search automatically for drivers.
4. Alternatively, download the latest driver from your laptop’s or Wi-Fi card manufacturer’s website.

---

B. Disable Power-Saving Features​

Windows may be turning off your network adapter to “save power,” causing intermittent drops.

1. Go to Device Manager.
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, select Properties, then go to the Power Management tab.
3. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

---

C. Reset Network Stack​

Corrupt network settings can cause connection drops:

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run the following commands one by one:
   

   cmd
   netsh int ip reset
   netsh winsock reset
   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew
   ipconfig /flushdns

3. Restart the PC after completing these commands.

---

3. Mitigate Signal and Interference Issues​

A. Change Wi-Fi Channels​

Most routers default to the same channels, causing interference:

• Log into your router.
• On the 2.4GHz band: Switch to a non-overlapping channel (1, 6, or 11).
• On the 5GHz band: Select a channel between 36-48 or 149-165.

B. Switch Bands (2.4GHz vs. 5GHz)​

• 2.4GHz: Better for range through walls but prone to interference.
• 5GHz: Faster but offers limited range—better performance over shorter distances.

---

4. Reinstall Windows (If All Else Fails)​

You’re absolutely right that re-installing Windows can resolve deeper, hard-to-pinpoint software conflicts:

1. Back up your important files.
2. Perform a repair installation using the Media Creation Tool:
   • Download it from: Download Windows 10
   • Choose "Upgrade this PC now" while keeping personal files intact.

---

5. Consider Additional Tools and Hardware​

After exhausting basic fixes:

• Use a Wi-Fi Range Extender or Mesh Network: Ideal for large homes where signal strength drops over distance.
• Consider an Ethernet-to-Wi-Fi Bridge or powerline Wi-Fi adapters for problematic devices.

---

Diagnostics Recap​

To isolate the issue:

• Test alternatives to rule out faulty hardware (router, laptop, or Wi-Fi card).
• Update drivers and firmware.
• Adjust your Wi-Fi channels, bands, and physical placement to minimize interference.

Your suggestion to change the router or re-install Windows is a great escalation point and aligns perfectly as a last barrier for resolution. Let me know how these layered troubleshooting steps play out!