Windows 11 Windows Update Killed My Wifi welp

[Jay84]

Following the recent Windows update on August 25-26, I've encountered a persistent issue with Wi-Fi connectivity. Despite holding a valid CompTIA A+ certification and executing a comprehensive set of troubleshooting steps, the problem remains unresolved.

Here’s a detailed summary of my efforts:

Network Adapter Reinitialization: Restarted network adapters via Device Manager.
DNS and Winsock Reset: Executed ipconfig /flushdns and netsh winsock reset commands.
Connectivity Tests: Ran ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew, which reported "Media disconnected."
Windows Troubleshooter: Utilized the native Windows Troubleshooter, which did not resolve the issue.
System Restoration Attempts: Attempted restoration to previous restore points and performed a full system reset, with no improvement.
Currently, I can connect through a Bluetooth PAN as an access point, but Wi-Fi remains non-functional. Attached are screenshots showing the disconnection status of Wi-Fi and other network media. I’m seeking advanced diagnostic suggestions or solutions.

 

[ChatGPT]

Hello Jay84, It sounds like your Wi-Fi woes post-update are quite an ordeal! With your skills (CompTIA A+ certified, no less) and the extensive troubleshooting steps you've already taken, I'm eager to help you explore additional solutions.

Summary of What's Already Done:​

1. Network Adapter Reinitialization: You've effectively restarted the adapters. That's usually a good first step.
2. DNS and Winsock Reset: Executing those commands is essential for network resets, and you've done it correctly.
3. Connectivity Tests: While ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew revealed "Media disconnected," this points to a more severe connectivity issue.
4. Windows Troubleshooter: It's notoriously unhelpful, but at least you tried!
5. System Restoration Attempts: Restoring system points and a full system reset can sometimes revert issues but clearly haven't helped here. Currently, connecting through a Bluetooth PAN is a clever workaround, though not ideal.

   Diagnostic Suggestions:​

6. Check Network Adapter Settings:
   • Open Device Manager → Network Adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and ensure it's enabled.
   • Under Properties, see if the "Power Management" tab allows Windows to turn off the device to save power. If it does, uncheck that option.
   []Driver Reinstallation:
   • Uninstall the Driver: Go to Device Manager, find your Wi-Fi adapter, and uninstall it. After uninstalling, reboot the system to let Windows reinstall it automatically.
   • Alternatively, download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website. Sometimes new updates correct issues introduced by recent Windows updates.
   []Network Reset:
   • Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Status. Select "Network reset" at the bottom. This will remove and reinstall all your network adapters and set other networking components back to their original settings.
   []Check for an Interference Source:
   • Sometimes, physical issues like interference can affect connectivity. Ensure no new devices are around your router that could be causing interference (microwaves, other wireless devices).
   []Advanced Command-Line Tests:
   • Use netsh wlan show interfaces to gather more detail about your Wi-Fi adapter’s status.
   • Run ping 8.8.8.8 to check if you can reach the internet, which helps identify whether the problem is solely with Wi-Fi or your network in general.

     Image Insights:​

     From the uploaded images, your system specs reveal that you are running a Dell Precision 7530 with an Intel Core i7 processor – a robust machine that should handle Wi-Fi well. However, the "disconnected" status shown raises some flags regarding adapter functionality. If the issue persists, feel free to share more specific outputs or errors. I’m here to help you refine your investigation further! Good luck, and may your Wi-Fi strength be ever in your favor!

 

[Mike]

Following the recent Windows update on August 25-26, I've encountered a persistent issue with Wi-Fi connectivity. Despite holding a valid CompTIA A+ certification and executing a comprehensive set of troubleshooting steps, the problem remains unresolved.

Here’s a detailed summary of my efforts:

Network Adapter Reinitialization: Restarted network adapters via Device Manager.
DNS and Winsock Reset: Executed ipconfig /flushdns and netsh winsock reset commands.
Connectivity Tests: Ran ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew, which reported "Media disconnected."
Windows Troubleshooter: Utilized the native Windows Troubleshooter, which did not resolve the issue.
System Restoration Attempts: Attempted restoration to previous restore points and performed a full system reset, with no improvement.
Currently, I can connect through a Bluetooth PAN as an access point, but Wi-Fi remains non-functional. Attached are screenshots showing the disconnection status of Wi-Fi and other network media. I’m seeking advanced diagnostic suggestions or solutions.


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Hello and welcome. Someone on the Microsoft Answers site had the exact same problem as you. For the Microsoft Answers site: WiFi Gets Disconnected and Cannot Detect...

Try running Dell Command Update or Lenovo Update depending on the manufacturer and see if there is an updated driver for the Qualcomm QCA61x4A 802.11ac Wireless adapter. I would go into the Device Manager (devmgmt.msc) and see if its posting an error/warning or if there is a driver rollback as well.

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like Jay84 has already conducted a thorough set of troubleshooting steps, but based on the description and the screenshots (though not analyzed directly), the issue might be related to the Qualcomm QCA61x4A Wireless adapter and its compatibility with the recent Windows update. Here's a refined guide to help solve the issue:

---

1. Update or Roll Back the Wi-Fi Driver​

• Download the latest driver from the manufacturer's website (e.g., Dell, Lenovo, or Qualcomm).
  • Use Dell Command Update or Lenovo Vantage for automatic driver updates.
  • Alternatively, visit the Qualcomm website, though many OEMs have model-specific tweaks to the drivers.
• If the latest driver doesn’t work, try rolling back:
  1. Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
  2. Locate your network adapter under Network Adapters (e.g., Qualcomm QCA61x4A).
  3. Right-click the adapter, go to Properties > Driver Tab.
  4. Click Roll Back Driver if available.

---

2. Advanced Power Management Check​

Verify that the power-saving settings aren’t disabling the adapter:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Right-click on the Qualcomm adapter, go to Properties > Power Management tab.
3. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

---

3. Reset the Network Stack​

Your existing steps included flushing DNS and resetting Winsock, but a full network reset may help:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run the following commands in sequence:
   

   cmd netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset ipconfig /flushdns

3. Restart the machine.

---

4. Check Windows Update and Feature Rollouts​

It’s possible the recent update introduced bugs:

• Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Look for optional updates, especially under Driver Updates.
• If the update caused the issue:

1. Roll back the update via Update History > Uninstall Updates.
2. Alternatively, delay installation of further updates until the issue is resolved.

---

5. Test Connectivity​

Using Another Access Point​

• If switching to another Wi-Fi network temporarily fixes the issue, the problem could be related to network/router compatibility.

Using Ethernet or USB Wi-Fi Adapter​

• Hooking up your system with Ethernet or a USB Wi-Fi dongle can isolate hardware-related problems within the integrated adapter.

---

6. System Integrity and Updates​

Run SFC and DISM Commands​

These commands check and repair corrupted system files:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run:
   

   cmd sfc /scannow DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

---

Still No Luck?​

If none of these steps resolves the issue, try:

• A third-party software tool like Driver Booster to scan for missing or outdated drivers.
• Checking the router firmware for updates—sometimes changes in the Windows Network Stack conflict with older routers.

Let me know how any of these steps go!