Internet disconnects

Thomas_Holding

My Windows 11 machine sometimes can't see wi-fi connections - even though they are there.

I have managed to fix this in the past by restoring windows but I'm not sure if this is the best idea.

I wonder if this is a hardware issue and maybe I need a new laptop.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance?

flaneurs_lobster

Restoring Windows does sound a bit drastic - assume you've tried turning Wi-fi off/on on the laptop?

One way to get round a hardware problem is to try a USB Wi-fi dongle, a cheap no-name can be found for less than a tenner online. Might be worth a punt.

Thomas_Holding

Thank you is this the sort of thing you mean

1300Mbps USB WiFi Dongle With Double Antenna, Dual Band 5GHz/2.4GHz High Gain Adapter for PC, Support Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

JSmithy45AD

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81957677#Comment_81957677

I'd stick to a more well known brand such as TP-Link myself.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Archer-T3U-Plus-Windows10/dp/B084WBTTN6?th=1

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81957875#Comment_81957875

For the sake of 3 quid, so would I.

Might not fix the problem of course…..

Grey_Critic

Have you tried a factory reset or whatever it is called. Windows is only an operating system - you can change and update that - WiFi/Internet is already on the computer so a reset is more leikely to resolve the problem

Tassie_Devil

have you tried working through this troubleshooting guide?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-wi-fi-connection-issues-in-windows-9424a1f7-6a3b-65a6-4d78-7f07eee84d2c

JSmithy45AD

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81957677#Comment_81957677

BTW, if you do use a dongle which I believe is your best and a relatively cheap way of solving it, don't forget to disable the onboard WiFi.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81958189#Comment_81958189

Those troubleshooting guides are useful when you have a "it's not working" problem.

Not so much when the issue is intermittent. Not a bad idea to work through it anyways.

Rodders53

My Win 11 HP laptop install sometimes loses WiFi when it 'dozes' and is wakened up for use… A Restart invariably fixes it… WiFi on/off does not.

Perhaps that's what the OP does rather than a full Windows Restore?

As my CPU is not Win11 'compatible' I just live with it. It's not that frequent as to be really annoying. (No more annoying than the need to reboot the mesh units from time to time). The same Laptop also sometimes decides not to charge the battery properly, and needs battery removed to fix that. Thankfully it is a removable battery pack. (In fact, I think the battery is having one of those episodes as I type).

Cisco001

AC1300… That is old tech.

Personally would get at lease Wifi 6E. They are something like £15 at aliexpress…

By the way, what is your existing adaptor?

Have you try re-install drivers?