OT: Laptop WiFi Problem for BWI Tech Geeks

[ThePennsyOracle]

I have a Dell Latitude e6520 laptop which has an Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 ABGN wireless card. The machine runs Windows 10 and is virus/malware free thanks to (among other things) MalWareBytes, CCleaner, & Avira Antivirus.

A couple weeks ago, it randomly started disconnecting from WiFi and telling me the wifi adapter couldn't be turned on. I'd have to restart and all would be well. This happened multiple times within a short period.

I updated the driver and all seemed well until it started to happen again a few hours later. Then, the wifi adapter completely disappeared from Device Manager--only the LAN and Bluetooth connections showing. Frustrated, I turned the thing off and let it sit for a few days.

Turn it on, and wa-la, the WiFi works fine. After a short time, the same stuff happens again. I figured the machine was just showing its age so I ordered a new wireless card thinking the current one was broke.

I installed the new card last night and all seemed to be well for about 10 minutes. Then, it starts disconnecting from WiFi again forcing me to do Windows Troubleshooter which "fixed" the problem by resetting the WiFi card. So far, nothing has disappeared from device manager, but if it follows the pattern the WiFi card will soon be "gone".

There are no issues with the router or cable moden--I've tested it on all my WiFi-connected devices, none of which has a problem.

So, it seems there's a software issue somewhere. Google-fu solutions have been fruitless and I'm totally stumped. I don't want to take it to a computer store either. Has anyone heard of something like this before or have any suggestions that don't involve reformatting the HDD?

 

[coveydidnt]

I have a Dell Latitude e6520 laptop which has an Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 ABGN wireless card. The machine runs Windows 10 and is virus/malware free thanks to (among other things) MalWareBytes, CCleaner, & Avira Antivirus.

A couple weeks ago, it randomly started disconnecting from WiFi and telling me the wifi adapter couldn't be turned on. I'd have to restart and all would be well. This happened multiple times within a short period.

I updated the driver and all seemed well until it started to happen again a few hours later. Then, the wifi adapter completely disappeared from Device Manager--only the LAN and Bluetooth connections showing. Frustrated, I turned the thing off and let it sit for a few days.

Turn it on, and wa-la, the WiFi works fine. After a short time, the same stuff happens again. I figured the machine was just showing its age so I ordered a new wireless card thinking the current one was broke.

I installed the new card last night and all seemed to be well for about 10 minutes. Then, it starts disconnecting from WiFi again forcing me to do Windows Troubleshooter which "fixed" the problem by resetting the WiFi card. So far, nothing has disappeared from device manager, but if it follows the pattern the WiFi card will soon be "gone".

There are no issues with the router or cable moden--I've tested it on all my WiFi-connected devices, none of which has a problem.

So, it seems there's a software issue somewhere. Google-fu solutions have been fruitless and I'm totally stumped. I don't want to take it to a computer store either. Has anyone heard of something like this before or have any suggestions that don't involve reformatting the HDD?

If it's not a Operating system issue and you have a spare USB port this thing should work and it is so low profile that it might as well be built in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003...fi+adapter&dpPl=1&dpID=31ChKj3dl7L&ref=plSrch

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

If it's not a Operating system issue and you have a spare USB port this thing should work and it is so low profile that it might as well be built in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003...fi+adapter&dpPl=1&dpID=31ChKj3dl7L&ref=plSrch

Thanks--I've actually used those on other machines and hate them!

 

[84Lion]

Have you tried uninstalling the firmware? First, download the firmware you need from the Dell site. Then uninstall the firmware for the device (or uninstall the device as they say in Win 7). Then reinstall using the firmware you downloaded.

I don't like the USB wireless devices either. If you have an Expresscard slot and aren't using it, you could get one of those adapters. Amazon has a Wireless-N Expresscard adapter for just over $10 (Prime).

One other thing I'd check is if the computer is dirty/dusty. Sometimes that can interfere with cooling and cause intermittent problems such as you're experiencing. Blow some canned air into the cooling slots and you might be amazed at the junk that comes out the other side. I'm not familiar with the Latitude but if you can remove the cover to get access to the cooling fans and innards, so much the better.

Good luck!

 

[PSUAlum91]

Were you running on battery or AC power when issue occurs? If on battery, we had similar issue in my company where we had to disable a 'power saving' option.

In Device Manager, open Network and then right-click on your wireless adapter, go into Properties > Power Management. Uncheck the option 'Allow computer to turn off this device to save power'.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

Were you running on battery or AC power when issue occurs? If on battery, we had similar issue in my company where we had to disable a 'power saving' option.

In Device Manager, open Network and then right-click on your wireless adapter, go into Properties > Power Management. Uncheck the option 'Allow computer to turn off this device to save power'.

It's happened on both--which is why it's particularly frustrating. I've done that step both on and off battery power. I too thought it was a power issue, but it doesn't seem that way.

 

[coveydidnt]

It's happened on both--which is why it's particularly frustrating. I've done that step both on and off battery power. I too thought it was a power issue, but it doesn't seem that way.

I suggested the dongle just because everytime I've seen this there's a HW issue on the motherboard. No good way to fix that for any price that would be really less than a complete new laptop. There's probably a capacitor going bad. A dongle get's you maybe some extra life out of it -- if one cap's going bad, others will too most likely.