Windows 10: New Laptop Monopolizes WiFi Router

I recently bought a new laptop (HP, Windows 10). This PC appears to mess up my WiFi router so that my cell phone and my old laptop (Dell, Windows 10) can’t connect. If they’re already connected when I turn on the new PC, the connection is broken – not always instantly, but within a couple hours – and can’t be re-established unless I cycle power on the router. I have not been able to figure out what triggers it. Sometimes my other devices are able to reconnect after I power down the new PC, other times they won’t reconnect until I cycle power on the router.



This is not a bandwidth issue. It happens even when the new PC is essentially idle, with no resource-hungry processes running in the background. It is NOT running a Windows Update, and successful connections to the WiFi and internet operate at "normal" speed.



The router (Belkin) is a few years old. It would be easy to say it’s worn out or obsolete but it works perfectly when the new PC is not connected – and the connection to the new PC works perfectly all the time – so I have no reason to believe replacing the router will solve the problem.



Ideas?

:)

 

New Laptop Monopolizes WiFi Router

I recently bought a new laptop (HP, Windows 10). This PC appears to mess up my WiFi router so that my cell phone and my old laptop (Dell, Windows 10) can’t connect.
If they’re already connected when I turn on the new PC, the connection is broken – not always instantly, but within a couple hours – and can’t be re-established unless I cycle power on the router.
I have not been able to figure out what triggers it. Sometimes my other devices are able to reconnect after I power down the new PC, other times they won’t reconnect until I cycle power on the router.



This is not a bandwidth issue. It happens even when the new PC is essentially idle, with no resource-hungry processes running in the background. It is NOT running a Windows Update, and successful connections to the WiFi and internet operate
at "normal" speed.



The router (Belkin) is a few years old. It would be easy to say it’s worn out or obsolete but it works perfectly when the new PC is not connected – and the connection to the new PC works perfectly all the time – so I have no reason to believe
replacing the router will solve the problem.



Ideas?

 

New Laptop Monopolizes WiFi Router

Greg, thanks for your reply. You've given me quite a laundry list.

I was really hoping someone might have experienced the same problem, or a similar one, and had a more specific idea of what the problem might be. Maybe someone else will offer some insight.

In the meantime I guess I'll start working through these suggested fixes and also contact HP Support - but keep in mind while the problem occurs daily I can't predict exactly when it will happen and don't know what triggers it, so it will be next to impossible
to determine in real time whether or not a given action has solved the problem. As I said above, the WiFi connection to the new PC works perfectly - but after some unspecified amount of time, connections to other devices are lost and cannot be re-established
without cycling power on the router.

 

New Laptop Monopolizes WiFi Router

Hey Denny. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Guardian Moderator here to help you.

I'd try resetting the router and then optimize it for best performance following these excellent tutorials for both:

https://www.lifewire.com/resetting-a-home-netwo...

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/ultim...

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/21132/change-you...

You can easily find your router's Manual for more specific instructions by googling the exact make and full model number + Downloads.

If that doesn't help try all these fixes to try to correct the Wifi signal:

I'll give you everything that works to fix Wifi so that at least something will work:

Enable IPv6 in the network adapter settings:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/90033-enabl...

Run the fixit from
https://support.microsoft.com/help/929852 (Re-enable IPv6 on all nontunnel interfaces) and reboot.

Right click the network icon in System Tray at bottom right end of task bar to Troubleshoot Problems.

Try all of these steps:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10741/...

https://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-reset-network-...

Update your network adapter drivers from the PC maker's Support Downloads web page using the full model number, HP Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager
reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

If you have the latest network driver then try on it's Driver tab also to Roll Back, or Uninstall and then restart PC to reinstall the driver. Try also all older drivers from Update Driver > Browse > Let Me Pick list working backwards.

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WIfi > Manage Known Networks, highlight and remove the network having problems, restart PC to see if it shows up again.

Try plugging in by ethernet cable to the router to compare, then plug the ethernet cable into the modem (if separate) to see if this might be an issue with the router.

Try powering off modem, router and PC and then restarting in that order with 1 minute in between each. You may need to reset your router or even optimize it following these steps:

https://www.lifewire.com/resetting-a-home-netwo...

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/ultim...

You also are entitled to Support from your internet provider to get online on all devices. This is always included in the monthly bill. If your router is less than a year old they will also Support getting it connected and optimized.

Another option is you could replace the wireless adapter with an inexpensive USB nano adapter like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-wireless-network...

You can also add an extender. The best one I've found is $17 at Amazon, configures itself, and so good I'd never use any other:

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Extender-Externa...

If this was caused by Windows Updates then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Installed Updates, then uninstall them from the link there, and hide with the Hide Updates tool downloaded from here:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

You can also use System Restore to get before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them:

http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/how-t...

If this was caused by Version update then you can roll it back in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and then hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool downloaded from here:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

However if you don't yet have the latest version 1903 (check in Settings > System > About) then I would install the Media Creation Tool from this link

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m... choosing Download Tool Now, install the tool, open it and choose Upgrade this PC Now. This will save your files and apps while bringing you up to the latest version by the most stable method. It will also
bring all of your Updates current and solve most problems since it reinstalls Windows.

Finally you can contact HP Support as you have a one year Support, Repair and Replacement warranty included so they must either fix or replace the laptop. It may also still be under Store return policy. For example Best Buy lets you bring back any PC within
15 days for full refund no questions asked.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

______________________________________________

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