Windows 10: Unable To Access Wi-Fi Networks When Using USB Adapter

I've recently upgraded my home PC from Windows 7 to Windows 10. I've been using a Realtek USB Wi-Fi adapter to connect to the internet. After installing the new OS and running it for the first time, I couldn't connect to my home network.

After reinstalling the drivers supplies by the manufacturer and reattaching the adapter, I attempted to again connect to the network. The "Verifying and connecting" message displayed, but after closing Settings and returning to the same page, all of the Wi-Fi settings have disappeared, like the drivers have crashed.

I can also confirm that this problem isn't unique to my network.

If anyone has any suggestions, it would be appreciated.

:)

 

No mobile Hotspot option in my desktop computer.

Hi MercyMonica,

to check if your desktop PC is equipped with the wi-fi adapter, go to Device Manager> network adapters, check if it is present. Or post the screenshot.

If the wi-fi adapter is not present, you can purchase and install a compatible wi-fi usb adapter (usb key wi-fi) for Windows 10.

Note: What DaveM121 claims is not true, mobile hotspot must be able to work even if the Wi-Fi adapter driver does not support the hosted network.

Mobile hotspot and hosted network use completely different network protocols.

 

NIC

"'NIC" stands for Network Interface Card (or Controller), and normally it refers to an Ethernet Adapter, not a Wi-Fi adapter. They're two different things. Most desktop computers don't come with Wi-Fi adapters, but they do come with Ethernet Adapters.
You can't access Wi-Fi networks without a Wi-Fi adapter.

 

When you say you "reinstalled the drivers supplied by the manufacturer", did you download Windows 10 drivers for your adapter or did you just install the drivers from the disk that came with the adapter?

 

I used the drivers supplied in the disk. I haven't attempted to uninstall any Windows drivers at this point. If that's a possible solution, any guidance would be great.

 

Will probably need to go online and find drivers for windows 10. If you post the manufacturer and model of USB adapter you have, someone here can probably point you to working drivers.

 

If it is Realtek, then go at www.realtek.com/downloads and then select Communication network ICs -> Wireless Lan ICs etc, according to your model. To find out which is your model use Aida64, go to Devices -> Windows Devices and click on your adapter. You see the exact model at the bottom.

 

I used Aida64 to identify the adapter, here's a screenshot. I can confirm that the drivers provided were from Realtek/Mediatek, but the adapter itself seems to be of the generic type.

 

A Google search with the vendor ID (VID) and the product ID (PID) reveals that it is a Ralink wireless USB module, model MT7601. Download the USB driver from Mediatek's site (manufacturer), extract it to a folder (open with WinRAR) and manually install it through Device Manager (I wouldn't try to run the setup).

 

I've attempted to install the driver through both Device Manager and by running the setup, and I was blocked from opening the app. It appears either Mediatek's certificate has been revoked, or I have some serious software issues on this computer. I downloaded another copy and installed the drivers but continue to have the same issue; connection only gets as far as "Verifying and connecting" and then the Wi-Fi settings window closes and refuses to reopen.

 

Try disabling your firewall. Bad settings can block access.

 

Thank you for your help spapakons, but I'm still not getting any results. I contacted the seller and they've told me the device works properly on their notebook running Windows 10, so mine must be faulty. I'll see if they have any possible solutions.

 

If it is still under warranty, return to the shop for a replacement. Ask them to test it with you present, if possible.

 

Is the USB adapter self-powered or through the port? Not enough continuous juice?

 

I've tested it in Windows 7 and Windows XP on the same computer, and it works fine for both. So I would say no, it's not an issue with power.