My Wi-fi adapter is having problems

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Finch

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# 136759 8-Dec-2013 00:31

Hi guys.

Earlier tonight I was on my laptop, everything was fine. Went away for 5 minutes came back and noticed my internet was down. Thought it was something small so went to reconnect but no Wifi networks were listed like normal. Went into troubleshooting and it mentioned that my "Ralink rt3290 802.11bgn Wi-Fi adapter" is having driver or hardware related problems.

It said to plug an Ethernet cable into the router and my laptop, have done hat so I now have internet access but cannot get Wi-Fi. I can get it on my phone, so it isn't a Router problem its my Wifi card.

Went to update the driver software in device manger and it says it is up to date.

Just having a quick looking now, right clicked the Wi-Fi adapter in device manger and under the "general" tab it says "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)".

Also under the resource tab it says "This device isn't using any resources because it has a problem"

Not entirely sure what to do. Help please :)

Edit: Just had a quick google search and it looks like multiple people are having problems with this adapter. Also forgot to mention above my laptop is just under 1 year old.

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BDFL - Memuneh
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# 947367 8-Dec-2013 07:53

Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1? What's the router?

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Finch

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# 947400 8-Dec-2013 11:30

freitasm: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1? What's the router?

Hey. Sorry was 1am just wanted to get something up for the morning! Windows 8, 64-bit. Router is TP-Link, Model # TD-W8960N.

I don't want to be playing around with my router though because everything else connects to the wifi fine, just not my laptop now.

Finch

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# 947666 8-Dec-2013 21:30

Anyone...?

freitasm

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# 947868 9-Dec-2013 10:32

Is your router configured to automatically swtich bands? Perhaps it goes to a US band and the WiFi driver only works in New Zealand bands?

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robjg63

2981 posts

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# 947888 9-Dec-2013 11:33

1) If its still under warranty take it back and get it fixed.
2) If you cant stand to be without it
Get one of these:
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=NETEDI7811&name=EDIMAX-802.11n-150Mbps-Nano-USB-64-128-bit-WEPWPAW for a bit over $20

Other places may even be cheaper.

I had an old HP laptop at home where the wifi just stopped one day - no amount of playing around would make it work - I assume the card just failed. I had one of these on my desk (was using it on something else). Just plugged it it - from memory I dont even recall having to install a driver - but they available on the edimax website.

I just disabled the onboard wireless (broken anyway) and use this -seems to have better range than theoriginal built in now as well.

(just re-read your post - windows 8 just seems to recognise the Edimax micro wifi dongle and didnt require drivers to be installed)

The great thing is - that apart from the fact it takes a USB port - they are so small they dont make the laptops footprint any bigger - nothing to stick out.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Finch

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# 947963 9-Dec-2013 12:43

freitasm: Is your router configured to automatically swtich bands? Perhaps it goes to a US band and the WiFi driver only works in New Zealand bands?

I am unsure how to check this. Again I don't think it is a router problem. All other electronics in my house connect to the network fine. This just happened out of the blue. This laptop has been fine until 2 days ago. The Wifi adapter card in my laptop is at fault here, that's what it seems like anyway.

robjg63: 1) If its still under warranty take it back and get it fixed.
2) If you cant stand to be without it
Get one of these:
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=NETEDI7811&name=EDIMAX-802.11n-150Mbps-Nano-USB-64-128-bit-WEPWPAW for a bit over $20

I bought it from Dick smith just under 1 year ago so still under warranty/consumer guarantee I guess yeah. My Laptop is "hp envy 7215-tx"

I will bear that in mind, buying that adapter. I don't really want to buy anything though I feel as if I shouldn't have to.

Finch

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# 947975 9-Dec-2013 12:50

Here is a screenshot of the problem.

Ignore the second problem, I have to take the Ethernet cable out to get this window to pop up.

andrewNZ

2130 posts

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# 947978 9-Dec-2013 12:56

Silly question time, have you tried rebooting the laptop?

What were you doing before it happened, any configuration changes, windows updates, anything like that?

Location: Dunedin

Finch

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# 947980 9-Dec-2013 13:00

andrewNZ: Silly question time, have you tried rebooting the laptop?

What were you doing before it happened, any configuration changes, windows updates, anything like that?

Yeah mate. Rebooted, turned off overnight. I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary, think I was on Amazon or browsing some forums somewhere then I went away for 5 minutes to get some food, came back and that's when the problem came. No updates that I know of, I didn't get a message/pop up saying updates were downloading or restart to install important updates etc. It just happened out of the blue.

Its like it just died.

andrewNZ

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# 947990 9-Dec-2013 13:05

One person supports this post

That's OK then, sorry, you know these questions have to be asked.

Well, I'd remove the device from device manager and tell it to remove the driver completely, then I'd reinstall it with the drivers direct from the manufacturer.

If that doesn't work, go dig out the receipt and backup your data.

Location: Dunedin

freitasm

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# 947993 9-Dec-2013 13:08

Finch:
freitasm: Is your router configured to automatically swtich bands? Perhaps it goes to a US band and the WiFi driver only works in New Zealand bands?

I am unsure how to check this. Again I don't think it is a router problem. All other electronics in my house connect to the network fine. This just happened out of the blue. This laptop has been fine until 2 days ago. The Wifi adapter card in my laptop is at fault here, that's what it seems like anyway.

It could be a router problem. Each device uses a different WiFi chipset. All other devices could be configured to use all bands, this specific laptop may be configured to use just some bands... This would cause all other devices to connect, except this laptop.

Do check that your router is not configured to automatic, then check your laptop. If you don't know where to check on your router, go to WiFi settings and it has to be there somewhere.

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Finch

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# 947994 9-Dec-2013 13:09

I just googled "How to turn on wireless on Windows 8" and found a quick tutorial. In the tutorial where it says Wireless devices it lists Wi-Fi as well, but it doesn't list that for me as seen in the above screen shot.

jonb

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# 947998 9-Dec-2013 13:11

Finch:

I just googled "How to turn on wireless on Windows 8" and found a quick tutorial. In the tutorial where it says Wireless devices it lists Wi-Fi as well, but it doesn't list that for me as seen in the above screen shot.

That could just be because the wireless adapter has stopped working, so you no longer have the option there.

andrewNZ

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# 948004 9-Dec-2013 13:14

While it is possible it's settings, everything (including the error wording) points to hardware failure or a driver issue.
As the device has been stopped by Windows, there is no way of changing it's settings or running tests till it is running again. Think of it as being turned off.

Location: Dunedin

Finch

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# 948013 9-Dec-2013 13:15

freitasm:
Finch:
freitasm: Is your router configured to automatically swtich bands? Perhaps it goes to a US band and the WiFi driver only works in New Zealand bands?

I am unsure how to check this. Again I don't think it is a router problem. All other electronics in my house connect to the network fine. This just happened out of the blue. This laptop has been fine until 2 days ago. The Wifi adapter card in my laptop is at fault here, that's what it seems like anyway.

It could be a router problem. Each device uses a different WiFi chipset. All other devices could be configured to use all bands, this specific laptop may be configured to use just some bands... This would cause all other devices to connect, except this laptop.

Do check that your router is not configured to automatic, then check your laptop. If you don't know where to check on your router, go to WiFi settings and it has to be there somewhere.

Is this the auto you were talking about?

I have never played around with any settings, again it has been fine for 5-6 months since I got the router.

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