Windows 10 laptop hogging the wifi

StocktonFlyer

Could it be synching to OneDrive or another cloud storage service like Google?

poppellerant

Which make and model (and hardware version, if applicable) router do you use? Is it the one your ISP supplied, or have you done as some people do and use a third party router for some reason? Also, when did you last reboot it? Perhaps a reboot of the router could fix the problem, albeit temporarily.

From what you've said, it could well be the router that has an issue.  It could be just running an out-of-date firmware which happens to have wireless problems too.

If the router can be ruled out, then I would suspect the wireless settings might need tweaking on your router.  Perhaps a simple driver update for the laptop's wireless device could provide some relief or even a solution.

tsb

StocktonFlyer said:

Could it be synching to OneDrive or another cloud storage service like Google?

No, Onedrive is disabled.  I've disabled everything 'unnecessary' at Startup 

tsb

poppellerant said:

Which make and model (and hardware version, if applicable) router do you use? Is it the one your ISP supplied, or have you done as some people do and use a third party router for some reason? Also, when did you last reboot it? Perhaps a reboot of the router could fix the problem, albeit temporarily.

From what you've said, it could well be the router that has an issue.  It could be just running an out-of-date firmware which happens to have wireless problems too.

If the router can be ruled out, then I would suspect the wireless settings might need tweaking on your router.  Perhaps a simple driver update for the laptop's wireless device could provide some relief or even a solution.

The ISP is Now Broadband.  It is a NowTV Hub 2 NR801, about 2.5 years old.

I've had to reset the router many times recently but only when this Acer laptop has been connected to the router.  It doesn't fix any issue, it lasts about 20 minutes and the router connection drops again.

I have no issues with the router any other time so it doesn't sound like a router problem to me.  

400ixl

You probably need to put a network sniffer on the laptop to see what it is doing. Something like Wireshark, but that does need a level of understanding on how to read the network capture.

Maybe start with deleting the network driver and re-installing a cleanly downloaded version (obviously download it locally before deleting the current one).

It may also be worth downloading and running malwarebytes to do a scan for any malware that could be causing issues.

What about if you connect it by ethernet cable to the router, does it then also flood the network so that other PC's can use the network? May help identify if it is a wifi issue.

Have you (or can you borrow) a USB wifi dongle to try to see if it is the in built wifi adaptor / driver or if happens with any wifi card.

400ixl

tsb said:

I have no issues with the router any other time so it doesn't sound like a router problem to me.  

I have a had a BT and a Plusnet router which when you attach Apple devices via wifi they will randomly stop the network stack on the router every so often.  This presents itself as all devices stop being able to send traffic to the internet and then eventually the router will lock up and need rebooting. It is not always the same Apple device that would cause it and it is a recognised bug in the router (BT and Plusnet are the same basic router). Thankfully I only use it as a modem and I have a more secure wireless router network sat behind it which doesn't have the issue. So don't discount the router, but equally check the laptop as the more likely source first.

tsb

400ixl said:

You probably need to put a network sniffer on the laptop to see what it is doing. Something like Wireshark, but that does need a level of understanding on how to read the network capture.

Maybe start with deleting the network driver and re-installing a cleanly downloaded version (obviously download it locally before deleting the current one).

It may also be worth downloading and running malwarebytes to do a scan for any malware that could be causing issues.

What about if you connect it by ethernet cable to the router, does it then also flood the network so that other PC's can use the network? May help identify if it is a wifi issue.

Have you (or can you borrow) a USB wifi dongle to try to see if it is the in built wifi adaptor / driver or if happens with any wifi card.

I think you maybe right.  I hoped it was something simple like a setting somewhere but I think it needs further elimination.  

I have run malwarebytes in the last few days and virus checked.  I did look at the driver for the network card but it wasn't obvious which one to update it with.  

I will try the ethernet cable, that is a good one to try, it should help to narrow down the issue.

Jenni_D

(After connecting via Ethernet cable) you could open Device Manager and choose to delete the wireless network device and the driver. (Should offer this as an option). Then scan for hardware changes and let Windows find the wireless network card again and download/install the driver automatically.

See if that helps.

tsb

Arghhhh... this laptop is infuriating.

I connected the Acer laptop up via Ethernet cable and left it alone, it would want to update the Windows security program by itself but other than that, it wasn't being used.

I was using another laptop on the same router at the time but connected via wifi.  Apart from a few little stutters, there was no major slowing down on the wifi.  That's good I thought, then after about 30 minutes the router disconnected from the internet.  No device would connect, laptop or phone. All showed the cross against the router for internet connection. The router had to be reset to get the connection back up and running. So the Acer Laptop only has to be connected to the router (and not via wifi) for it to be interfering with the home network.

I'm so confused now, I don't understand what this means or what is at fault.

Jenni_D

Did you actively turn OFF the WiFi on the Acer while it was connected by Ethernet cable? (Clue: you should have)

Have you tried deleting the WiFi adaptor per my previous reply?