Solved! Can't connect to wifi + wifi issues with dell Inspiron 15 7000

Nov 15, 2018
2
0
10
Hi guys, I am having major problems with my laptop's internet - namely being able to connect to the Wifi and holding Wifi connection once connected. My laptop is a - dell Inspiron 15 7000. Sometimes I can connect and have no issues for hours, sometimes I will connect for a couple of minutes and then it disappears and most of the time I can't connect at all.



When I go into device manager under network adaptors - "Intel(R) Dual Brand Wireless-AC 3165" it is not 100% of the time always there - sometimes it appears, sometimes it doesn't (not linked to when i try to delete and reinstall), not sure if that's a clue on the situation... infact i've just checked this again internet keeps dropping out > wireless adaptor disappears from network adaptors list > reappears and then I can connect again. Oh and sometimes I get a yellow triangle on the Dual Band Wireless driver (like right now i've got it) but other times I don't have it. I've now deleted this, reinstalled and its been reloaded + the yellow triangle has now gone but the issue is still the same. Also when I don't have the yellow triangle on this for some reason it won't let me uninstall - just has the loading bar for ages and ages and nothing happens + can't cancel it, only way to stop it is to use task manager. Edit: Yellow triangle now back, when i open it up it says "This device cannot start - (Code 10). (Operation failed) The requested operation was unsuccessful. "



Before someone asks/suggests, i've already done the following:



- Deleting all history/cookies etc.

- Trying to update driver

- Trying to delete driver + reinstall

- "Turning it off and on again"!

- Turned off bluetooth

- Changing power management for Wireless to have tickbox for "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" (also did this with something else but can't remember off the top of my head)

- Going into battery settings and changing Wireless adaptor power settings to maximum performance

- Going into battery settings and changing PCI Express (Link State Power Management) to Off on battery and off for plugged in mode



It's at the point now where I can't reliably use the computer unless with a wired connection which makes the whole point of owning a portable computer redundant. Any advice/info appreciated - I am tearing my hair out over this and don't know how to solve the issue...
 
Solution
In the circumstances, I suggest leaving the machine with the company boys for the weekend unless you need it, in which case, they should give you another one.

If the aerial is loose, it would affect all wireless connections, not just one site. There is a Windows "Repair" option in Control Panel. Sorry I can't be more specific because at this time of the day, I'm on a Linux netbook.
It's worth opening up the box to see if both aerial connections are made on the little square wi-fi micro-circuit board. While you're in there, unclip the board and blow any dust that may be interfering before putting it back in.

All is not lost if it continues to fail. A UAB wi-fi dongle is no larger than a thumb drive and will replace the old board as soon as you disable that one in Device Manager.
 
Nov 15, 2018
2
0
10


Hi dude, thanks for your response - its a company WiFi so i'm not allowed to go fiddle around with it, however the issue isn't just with one specific wifi connection, its all wifi in general. I have got a "TP-LINK Archer T9UH USB Wireless Adapter - AC 1900, Dual-band" which I used to previously use for my desktop, do you think that would fit your 2nd recommendation (not at home atm so cant try)

 
In the circumstances, I suggest leaving the machine with the company boys for the weekend unless you need it, in which case, they should give you another one.

If the aerial is loose, it would affect all wireless connections, not just one site. There is a Windows "Repair" option in Control Panel. Sorry I can't be more specific because at this time of the day, I'm on a Linux netbook.
 
Solution
Feb 12, 2019
1
0
10
In sure this reply is well past relevant but there appears to be in at least some of the models of this type and issue between Windows 10 updates and the wifi card. Get on to Dell tech support.