Fix: WiFi Adapter Keeps Disconnecting
Many users have reported the issue where the WiFi Adapter keeps disconnecting now and then. Directly, this issue could arise because of physical connectivity issues of the WiFi adapter or because of other software issues, such as the device driver being outdated, corrupt, etc.
Initially, there’s no way you can be sure of precisely what the issue is. But proper troubleshooting will help you diagnose the issue as soon as possible.
In this article, we look at various factors that could be causing the Wi-Fi Adapter keeps disconnecting issue and how to fix them, along with a bunch of information that will come in handy.
What is a Wi-Fi Network Adapter?
The Wi-Fi Adapter is a Wireless Network Interface controller; this enables your computer to connect to a wireless network, like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
The Wi-Fi adapter is a hardware device that can be attached to your computer. This generally comes as a USB stick or a PCI network card. This wireless internet adapter can be connected to any device with a USB port.
You need to purchase a USB Wi-Fi adapter with a network and connect it to your computer to establish a WiFi network connection.
At times, you may encounter an issue with your WiFi adapter, which most commonly is – the WiFi adapter keeps disconnecting.
Below are various solutions you can follow to try and fix the issue yourself.
Methods to fix – The WiFi adapter keeps disconnecting.
The following methods will assist you in fixing the issue with the internet network adapter driver.
Fix#1- Physical Inspection
When the internet service keeps drooping, you frequently see the ‘No internet service available’ message on your screen. You can check if the USB WiFi adapter or the dongle is fixed and functioning properly.
Sometimes these USB WiFi adapters tend to overheat with continuous use. This may lead to their short life span. Check if your dongle needs a replacement before going deep into fixing the issue at hand.
If the Network adapter was working a while back and suddenly your WiFi disconnects, you need to physically check the network adapters, especially when it is not showing up on the Device Manager.
In case you use an integrated network adapter, it is better to consult a technician, as they are more capable of handling the computer’s motherboard.
For a USB Wi-Fi adapter or an expansion card, extract the USB device and reinsert it or try a different USB port altogether. Now, check if this quick fix solved the issue of the network adapter disconnecting; if not, let’s move on to the next one.
Fix#2- Enable your Wi-Fi adapter via Control Panel
By following these steps, you can enable the WiFi adapter via Control Panel to fix the WiFi adapter.
Step#1– Type Control Panel in the Windows search bar, and select Open to launch Control Panel.
Step#2– From the Control Panel window, select Network and Internet.
Step#3- Now, select Network and Sharing Center from the Network and Internet window to change advanced adapter settings.
Step#4– From the left side panel of the Network and Sharing window, select the Change adapter settings option.
Step#5- Select the WiFi adapter driver causing the issue and right-click it. Select the Enable option.
If it is still showing ‘Not Connected’, there is no network to connect to. So let us refresh the wireless network adapter or restart the computer.
Fix#3- Configure settings in Device Manager
The Device Manager allows you to manage your hardware devices on the computer. For example, here you can check the WiFi networks adapter settings to fix the wireless adapter that keeps disconnecting.
Follow these steps to get back the wireless network connection.
Step#1– To open Device Manager, press the Windows icon key along with the letter R to launch the Run box. Type devmgmt. msc and press are Ok. This will open Device Manager.
Step#2– The Device Manager window will open with a list of options. Locate and expand Network Adapters by double-clicking them.
Step#3– After you expand Network Adapters from the list, select and double-click the wireless networks card.
The network adapters properties window will open. Select the Device tab and click on Enable Device.
Step#4– You can see Disable device; this means the WiFi adapter has been successfully enabled.
If you already see a Disable device, click it and click Enable Device to re-enable the USB Wi-Fi adapter.
Step#5- Select the Power Management tab on the same page. Now, Unselect the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save the power box.
Now, click Ok to save the settings on your computer.
This will prevent the computer from disabling the Wi-Fi adapter when the computer is in power-saving mode.
Step#6– Restart your PC; open the Wi-Fi connection to check if it is enabled.
Fix#4- Enable WLAN AutoConfig Service
The WLAN AutoConfig service configures, discovers, and connects the wireless network on your computer. If WLAN AutoConfig is disabled on your system, the Wi-Fi adapter will also be disabled.
Follow these steps to check if the WLAN AutoConfig service is running correctly.
Step#1– Press the Windows icon key and the letter R to launch the Run box, type in services.msc, and press Ok.
Step#2– The Services window will open with a list of options in alphabetical order; scroll down to locate and select WLAN AutoConfig.
Step#3- The WLAN AutoConfig properties window will open; check if the Startup type is set on Automatic and the Service status shows Running. Click OK to save and Restart your computer.
Fix#5- Run Network Troubleshooter
In Windows 10, the Network Troubleshooter will detect, configure and fix problems. For example, this can help fix the issue with the Wifi adapter driver.
Follow these steps to run a network troubleshooter.
Step#1– Open the Start menu and select the Settings option.
Step#2– Now, click the Network and Internet option.
Step#3- Select Status on the left side of the Network and Internet window. Now on the left side, select Network Troubleshooter.
Step#4– The system will begin the process of troubleshooting; once complete, check if the wireless adapter is back to working usually.
Fix#6-Check Power Settings
Power settings can be a reason why the USB WiFi adapter keeps disconnecting. The problem can be related to the USB Wi-Fi adapters or the advanced power settings.
All these issues aim to save power consumption by disabling the USB WiFi adapter settings.
1- Disable USB selective suspend settings
Let us look into this issue by first disabling USB selective suspend settings; it can be done by following these steps.
Step#1– Type Control Panel in the Windows search bar and select Open.
Step#2– From the list on the Control Panel window, select Hardware and Sound.
Step#3– The Hardware and Sound window will open; select Power Options.
Step#4– Select the option on the left side of the Power Options window, Change plan settings.
Step#5– Now, from the Edit Plan Settings window, select the Change advanced power settings option.
Step#6- From the power options window,
1- Expand USB settings.
2- Expand USB selective suspend settings.
3- For both the options that open- On battery and Plugged in, select the Disabled option.
Click Ok and check if you now have a WiFi connection.
2-Disable USB root hub power preserving
Step#1- Right-click on the Windows Start button. This will launch the Power User Menu. Here, select the Device Manager option.
Step#2- Double-click the Universal Serial bus Controllers option to expand it. Select and double-click the USB root Hub from the list. Always select the first USB Hub.
Step#3– When right-click the USB root hub option from the window, select Properties.
Step#4– Select the Power Management tab and uncheck the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power option.
Select the Ok option to save the changes. Then, restart your computer to reconfigure.
Fix#7- Update WiFi Adapter Driver Software
There are chances that the network card may be outdated or you have a corrupted network driver, causing the WiFi adapter to keep disconnecting.
Let us update the WiFi adapter driver by using two methods.
Note: This requires an internet connection. You can use an alternate internet connection, such as an ethernet cable, or download the updated version of the WiFi driver software separately and move it to your computer.
1- Update the WiFi network adapter driver manually
Visit the manufacturer’s website of the network card, and find and download the latest version of the WiFi driver. Make sure that the downloaded driver is compatible with your Windows Operating system.
2- Automatic driver update
Driver Easy allows you to download and install network drivers offline with its Offline Scan Feature.
Step#1– Download Driver Easy and install it. Run the software and click Scan.
The software will scan and detect any issues.
Step#2– Click the Update button beside the WiFi adapter; now, the software will download the driver and install it on your computer.
Please restart the computer so that it can configure the update. Now, you will find your WiFi connection stable.
Fix#8- Uninstall the Network Adapter Driver
Sometimes the problem lies with the network adapter driver; uninstalling the driver may solve the issue. Windows will reinstall and update the driver once the system reboots.
Step#1– Right-click the Windows start button to launch the user power menu and select Device Manager.
Step#2– Select and double-click from the list to expand the Network adapters section.
Step#3- Now, select your USB WiFi adapter, then make right-click on it—Click Uninstall the device.
Step#4– You will see a window pop-up prompting you to uninstall the device from your system. Clickthe Uninstall button.
Step#5- Restart the computer with the WiFi adapter plugged in. This will allow immediate reinstallation of the driver to the operating system.
Conclusion
The use of USB WiFi adapters can ease your work to a great extent, but the issue of the WiFi connection or the WiFi network adapters keeps disconnecting can hinder your work.
The above-explained methods can fix this issue and back the network connection in some time. In any case, if these methods did not help you; there is a good chance that your UBD WiFi adapter is defective and you need to replace it.
