PC WIFI adapter constantly disconnects

[scoombs]

I have the Tornado A5X, AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Processor, RAM: 16 GB / Storage: 2 TB HDD & 512 GB SSD, Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT.

When I boot about 90% of the time my WIFI isn't found, it states it's disconnected and doesn't appear in device manager. Constant rebooting and removing all cables will eventually get the WIFI back.
when connected I have ensured all drivers are up to date and run diagnostics, but because it's then working it reports all is fine, only for the next reboot to have it disappear.

An ethernet cable works fine, but that's not a full time option where this machine is.

Any ideas on what I can do? To me it points at a hardware issue rather than software.
The machine was purchased in November 2020 and this has been an intermittent issue from then, driving me mad enough to do something about it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ubuysa]

First off, welcome to the forum!

Your troubleshooting to date has been excellent. We know that it's definitely a wireless card issue (because Ethernet works ok) which means it's either the wireless card itself (what card do you have in there?) or the driver.

I would suggest you uninstall the card via Device Manager and also uninstall the driver if asked. Then reboot and run Windows Update to see whether it will find the right driver for the wireless card (obviously you'll need to be Ethernet attached during this).

If that doesn't help, and you know which model of card you have, you could try seeing whether the card vendor's website has a later driver.

I would suggest you need to eliminate the driver before assuming it's the card.

It might help if you upload the System and Application logs, your system information, and the driver list as detailed in this post.

 

[scoombs]

Thanks for the help. I have followed the instructions as well as some advice from the Intel site to set the WWAN AutoConfig service to automatic (It's manual on my other machines). Full windows update and have now used the 28th April driver from Intel. It's an intermittent issue so will keep checking, my system was kept pretty up to date.

Appreciate the assistance.

Thanks.

 

[scoombs]

First off, welcome to the forum!

Your troubleshooting to date has been excellent. We know that it's definitely a wireless card issue (because Ethernet works ok) which means it's either the wireless card itself (what card do you have in there?) or the driver.

I would suggest you uninstall the card via Device Manager and also uninstall the driver if asked. Then reboot and run Windows Update to see whether it will find the right driver for the wireless card (obviously you'll need to be Ethernet attached during this).

If that doesn't help, and you know which model of card you have, you could try seeing whether the card vendor's website has a later driver.

I would suggest you need to eliminate the driver before assuming it's the card.

It might help if you upload the System and Application logs, your system information, and the driver list as detailed in this post.

And just like that it's failed again.
I have attached the following information:

• App_logs_no_wifi_scoombs.evtx
• System_logs_no_wifi_scoombs.evtx
• DriverQuery_no_wifi_scoombs.txt
• System_Info_no_wifi_scoombs.txt

I have performed a full windows update
I have uninstalled the wifi device in device manager and reinstalled using the Intel latest drivers and let windows also apply it's best driver (they may be the same).
I have changed the WWAN AutoConfig service to Automatic.

The wifi card is the Intel Wifi 6 AX200 160mhz.

Any assistance or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[ubuysa]

And just like that it's failed again.
I have attached the following information:

• App_logs_no_wifi_scoombs.evtx
• System_logs_no_wifi_scoombs.evtx
• DriverQuery_no_wifi_scoombs.txt
• System_Info_no_wifi_scoombs.txt

I have performed a full windows update
I have uninstalled the wifi device in device manager and reinstalled using the Intel latest drivers and let windows also apply it's best driver (they may be the same).
I have changed the WWAN AutoConfig service to Automatic.

The wifi card is the Intel Wifi 6 AX200 160mhz.

Any assistance or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

I've got the driver list, where are the logs?

TBH based on what you're saying here it sounds like a dud wireless card. That's not that rare.

Give PCS a call, they will almost certainly want to see your System and Application log files as well but they'll probably ship you a replacement card to install yourself.

 

[scoombs]

I've got the driver list, where are the logs?

TBH based on what you're saying here it sounds like a dud wireless card. That's not that rare.

Give PCS a call, they will almost certainly want to see your System and Application log files as well but they'll probably ship you a replacement card to install yourself.

Sorry, this files were too large or the wrong extension. I have modified the post and added them as zip files. Hope that's ok.

 

[ColEyt]

I'm going to ask the stupid question, but given that this has been happening since you got the pc, are the antennas attached to the WiFi card ?

 

[scoombs]

I'm going to ask the stupid question, but given that this has been happening since you got the pc, are the antennas attached to the WiFi card ?

Yes they have both been attached since November. I have also removed and replaced/checked they are properly attached etc.
Wifi range is fine, when it does work I have full wifi bars on the PC as well.

 

[ColEyt]

Yes they have both been attached since November. I have also removed and replaced/checked they are properly attached etc.
Wifi range is fine, when it does work I have full wifi bars on the PC as well.

Cheers, just wanted to make sure we weren't overlooking the obvious.

I'm sure Ubuysa will get you pointed in the right direction

 

[ubuysa]

Your System log is the strangest log I've ever seen. It dates all the way back to Christmas Day last year yet it contains nothing but Windows Update 'Servicing' informational messages. Are you sure you haven't exported a custom view rather than the entire log?

There doesn't appear to be anything startling in your Application log, although there are pretty regular errors for the iBtSiva.exe process - this is part of the Bluetooth service which of course is hosted on the same wireless card.

TBH I see nothing else that appears in any way related to your wireless card at all, that suggests that Windows doesn't know the card is having problems and that suggests it's some sort of hardware failure of the card.

As above, I would call PCS and ask them to swap your wireless card.

 

[scoombs]

Thanks for the help. It's a machine my son uses for gaming so not much running on there really.

I will contact PCS and try to arrange a replacement.

Again, thanks very much for all your time and help, much appreciated.

 

[JasSpi]

Hello, I hope I'm not too late to add something here.
I have a very similar set up but with an Nvidia graphics card. Been having the very same issues with the wifi. Driving me mad.
I, like you have done everything - flushing DNS, reboots, driver updates and roll backs - you name it.
I got a replacement card from PC Specialist and it made no difference at all. Issues persist.
I did find on a few forums that the card comes with the Intel AX200 chip. There seems to be random issues with this chip and some Windows systems where you cannot connect to the 5Ghz frequency on the router. Intel are aware but apparently happy to let it roll.
What I did, and I only tried it today but, for the first time ever, on start up, the system connects first time and stays connected, was to go into the adapter properties for the wifi connection through the network and internet settings and set it to 2.4Ghz only as in screenshot. Although slower, it is stable and connects. I'm no gamer so the speed issue is not a factor for me. Another workaround I have heard is changing the channel width for the 5Ghz frequency to 20Mhz but this ahgain slows your speed down. Not tried this as I'm happy with the 2.4Ghz speeds.
I'm letting the tech guys know so hopefully they can be forearmed and maybe even use different wifi cards.
Another altenative is to get a replacement wifi card that doesn;t use this chip. Maybe a Broadcom one or something.
Anyway, best of luck.
Hope it helps.
J

 

[scoombs]

Hello, I hope I'm not too late to add something here.
I have a very similar set up but with an Nvidia graphics card. Been having the very same issues with the wifi. Driving me mad.
I, like you have done everything - flushing DNS, reboots, driver updates and roll backs - you name it.
I got a replacement card from PC Specialist and it made no difference at all. Issues persist.
I did find on a few forums that the card comes with the Intel AX200 chip. There seems to be random issues with this chip and some Windows systems where you cannot connect to the 5Ghz frequency on the router. Intel are aware but apparently happy to let it roll.
What I did, and I only tried it today but, for the first time ever, on start up, the system connects first time and stays connected, was to go into the adapter properties for the wifi connection through the network and internet settings and set it to 2.4Ghz only as in screenshot. Although slower, it is stable and connects. I'm no gamer so the speed issue is not a factor for me. Another workaround I have heard is changing the channel width for the 5Ghz frequency to 20Mhz but this ahgain slows your speed down. Not tried this as I'm happy with the 2.4Ghz speeds.
I'm letting the tech guys know so hopefully they can be forearmed and maybe even use different wifi cards.
Another altenative is to get a replacement wifi card that doesn;t use this chip. Maybe a Broadcom one or something.
Anyway, best of luck.
Hope it helps.
J

That's great information , thanks. I received a new wifi card which I installed today and it did connect, will see how it behaves and if still an issue will try the above steps.

I may even get another powerline adapter and just use ethernet, if it stops my son complaining.

Thanks again.

 

[scoombs]

Hello, I hope I'm not too late to add something here.
I have a very similar set up but with an Nvidia graphics card. Been having the very same issues with the wifi. Driving me mad.
I, like you have done everything - flushing DNS, reboots, driver updates and roll backs - you name it.
I got a replacement card from PC Specialist and it made no difference at all. Issues persist.
I did find on a few forums that the card comes with the Intel AX200 chip. There seems to be random issues with this chip and some Windows systems where you cannot connect to the 5Ghz frequency on the router. Intel are aware but apparently happy to let it roll.
What I did, and I only tried it today but, for the first time ever, on start up, the system connects first time and stays connected, was to go into the adapter properties for the wifi connection through the network and internet settings and set it to 2.4Ghz only as in screenshot. Although slower, it is stable and connects. I'm no gamer so the speed issue is not a factor for me. Another workaround I have heard is changing the channel width for the 5Ghz frequency to 20Mhz but this ahgain slows your speed down. Not tried this as I'm happy with the 2.4Ghz speeds.
I'm letting the tech guys know so hopefully they can be forearmed and maybe even use different wifi cards.
Another altenative is to get a replacement wifi card that doesn;t use this chip. Maybe a Broadcom one or something.
Anyway, best of luck.
Hope it helps.
J

So, I installed the new wifi card and it worked first time, result.........a reboot and it disappeared, another reboot and it was found again, now it's gone again and after 10 reboots i've given up. I will connect to ethernet which seems to resurrect the wifi and make the changes you suggested.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[ubuysa]

So, I installed the new wifi card and it worked first time, result.........a reboot and it disappeared, another reboot and it was found again, now it's gone again and after 10 reboots i've given up. I will connect to ethernet which seems to resurrect the wifi and make the changes you suggested.

Thanks again for your help.

Remove and reinsert the card. Even a tiny amount of dirt on a pin can cause problems.

 

[scoombs]

Remove and reinsert the card. Even a tiny amount of dirt on a pin can cause problems.

Tried that. I will contact PCS again. As JasSpi said above, it could be related to the chip not working with normal wifi frequencies.

 

[ubuysa]

Tried that. I will contact PCS again. As JasSpi said above, it could be related to the chip not working with normal wifi frequencies.

Intel do not have a terribly good reputation where WiFi cards are concerned.