Windows 10: Windows 10 Wifi Network Adapter Missing, FIOS Router or MB Issues?

Hi:

Thanks for having me on your forum.*Smile

As the title of my post states, I'm having issues with my Windows 10 Wifi or lack thereof.

Let me clarify. I just got FIOS installed back in May 2016. Originally, it was supposed to be installed in March but then Verizon workers went on strike.

Anyway, before getting FIOS and the Quantum Modem/Router, I had DSL Linksy router. I attempted to access/utilize the wireless capabilities of the old DSL router and lo-and behold it worked. I was able to use the "Cast to" feature with the Samsung Smart TV. Everything was working great. Then I got the FIOS Quantum Modem/Router and now not only did the Wifi disappear from my Windows 10 "Settings" but the WLAN Network adapter is also missing from my "Device Manager". Basically I need to know if this is FIOS Modem/Router or something with my motherboard. I don't know if it's the motherboard but I'm not ruling the possibility out that it could be. I say this because there wasn't an issue with WLAN Adapter missing from the "Device Manager" before I got new so-called improved FIOS Quantum Modem/Router. Regardless of how things shake out I would appreciate any help that you can provide.

Thanks,

P.S. I might not get back to you quickly as sometimes when I get home from work the last thing I feel like doing to getting on the computer.

:)

 

Network Name from Router is Wrong Sometimes

Instantly sounds like 'Home network 2' is your neighbors wifi. Or you a guest account enabled with separate passphrase or security different.

Or you have misconfigured your Access Point. \\ &/or your fios router.

Fios router needs to assign a set lan IP to the access point, that is not within the DHCP range that the fios router hands out to the lan.

Network cable not plugged into the Access Points WAN. DHCP disabled in the Access Point.

 

Problem

You can setup a wireless (WiFi) connection but you'll need to get a WiFi-enabled router and a WiFi adapter for your laptop (unless it already has an adapter built in.) The router and adapter will come with complete instructions for setting up a WiFi network.

The router doesn't need to be specifically for Windows 10 but you'll get a more reliable connection if your network adapter is supported on Windows 10.

 

Reinstall the device driver. Your ISP service would not make things change. If you disabled the onboard Network adapter if there is one, you can enable it or check the settings in the bios.

 

I agree with Bro67's analysis: the ISP connection would not affect your local driver situation. Try starting up Device Manager, then click the View/Hidden Devices menu items. You may then see your "missing WLAN adapter" and be able to start the process of getting it working again. If worst comes to worst, you can uninstall it completely, then grab a driver from the mfgr or PC maker and try starting over from scratch. When all else fails, that usually works in my experience.
HTH,
--Ed--

 

Hi bro67: Thank you for replying. I don't know how I could have disabled the network adapter. All I did, or all the FIOS guy did was hook the FIOS Quantum/Router up to the back of my machine. Yes, there is an onboard network adapter or there was one, currently it is M.I.A. from "Device Manager". There also isn't any listing for it in the registry either. Question: Where exactly or what heading would my adapter be under in the bios?

 

Hi Ed:

Thank you for replying.

I did the "Hidden View" option and this is what I found





As you can see there is no listing of the WLAN adapter. It was shown/listed in Device Manager BEFORE the new router. How do I go about uninstalling something that I can't find? Also, this is a generic system. I installed the motherboard etc myself. I know how to do some things but obviously other computer concepts elude me.*Huh

 

Accidental Function keypress for the wifi adapter or Airplane mode. There have been cases that systems have gone into Airplane mode in Windows 10 for some unknown reason, which could just be someone setting their sleep or hibernate states incorrect.

If it is not in the registry or in Device Manager, it was uninstalled along with the driver.

 

Desktops will only have an Ethernet adapter installed, unless you added a PCIe or USB WLAN adapter or the motherboard came with a built in WLAN chipset that would also do BlueTooth. Fill out all of your System Spec's. You can also download Speccy from Piriform, then run it to give you an output of all installed hardware even if it does not show up in Device Manager and put the URL that it gives at the end in a post on here.