Windows 10: Wireless adapter randomly stops working

At seemingly random times, my wireless adapter will just stop working. I cannot view available wireless networks, and the Wi-Fi properties in Network and Internet Settings simply aren't there. I CAN see the wireless adapter in Device Manager, where it has a yellow triangle indicating there is a problem.I cannot determine when this happens. It seems to happen regularly when I play Horizon Zero Dawn which is weird, because it's not an online game, but it happens at other times too. Often, once it happens once, it will keep happening for a while—sometimes hours. Once I fix it, it will often not

:)

 

Wireless adapter randomly stops working

Hi Brendan,

As per the description, I suggest that refer to the methods outlined below and check if it helps.

Solution 1: Install the latest updates

Installing the latest updates for your device and Windows can help fix many common connection issues. For Windows devices, here’s how:

Step 1: Go to Start, and select Settings >
Update & security > Windows Update.

Step 2: Select Check for updates. If updates are available, they will install automatically. You may need to restart your device after the updates have installed.

If installing updates doesn’t help, try Solution 2.

Solution 2: Check your HDMI and USB connections

Make sure both the HDMI end and USB end of the adapter are connected correctly.

• Make sure the HDMI end of the adapter is connected to the HDMI port on your HDTV, monitor, or projector. Use the included HDMI extension cable if needed.
• Make sure the USB end of the adapter is plugged into a USB power source.

Notes

• If the HDTV, monitor, or projector you’re connecting to doesn’t have a USB charging port, you can use the USB charging port on a device power supply or any other USB charger.
• Use a USB extension cord if you need more length for your USB connector.
• Make sure the electrical outlet you’re using for USB power is working properly. Test it by plugging in something else.

If you’re still having trouble after checking your connections, try Solution 3.

Solution 3: Update the adapter’s firmware

If you can connect your device to the adapter but what you can see on your device isn’t visible on your second screen, the adapter’s firmware may be out of date.

If your adapter’s firmware is up to date and you still have a problem, try Solution 4.

Solution 4: Restart the adapter

Step 1: Remove the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter from the TV or Monitor.

Step 2: Restart your device.

Step 3: Re-insert the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter into your TV or Monitor.

Step 4: Attempt to display one more time.



NOTE

It is recommended to check for updates on both your device, and Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter after completing Solution 4.

If you still have a problem, try Solution 5.

Solution 5: Reset the adapter

Try resetting the adapter. This is also helpful if you’ve forgotten your password. Here’s how:

Step 1: On the adapter next to the wired connection, press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds. The LED light on the adapter will blink.

Step 2: When the message “Ready to connect” appears on your second screen, swipe in from the right edge of your device screen or select
Action Center in the taskbar.

Step 3: Select Connect, and in the list of displays, select the name of the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.

If resetting the adapter doesn’t solve the problem, try Solution 6.

Solution 6: Remove the adapter and reconnect

There might be a problem with the connection between your device and the adapter. To fix the issue, try disconnecting the adapter from your device and reconnecting it. Here’s how:

Step 1: Go to Start, and select Settings >
Devices > Connected devices.

Step 2: Under Projectors, select the name of the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter and select
Remove device.

Step 3: Select Add a device to connect your device and the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.

If disconnecting and reconnecting the adapter doesn’t help, try Solution 7.

Solution 7: Allow the adapter to communicate through Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall might be preventing the adapter from connecting to your device. To allow the adapter to communicate through the firewall:

Step 1: Select the search box in the taskbar, enter allow firewall, and in the search results, select
Allow an app through Windows Firewall.

Step 2: Under Name, find Wireless Display and make sure
Private and Public are selected. Then, select
OK.

Note: If you can’t select anything in the Allowed apps and features box, you are not logged in as an administrator. Select
Change Settings, enter your administrator password, and select
Yes. Your administrator password should be the same as the password you used to set up your device. Then, make sure
Private and Public are selected and select
OK.

If your firewall is set to allow the adapter to communicate but you still can’t connect, try Solution 8.

Solution 9: Reinstall the Intel HD Graphics driver

An issue with the Intel HD Graphics driver on your device might be preventing your device from communicating with the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter. Try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver. Here’s how:

Step 1: Select the search box in the taskbar, enter Device manager, and in the search results, select
Device Manager.

Step 2: Select the arrow to the left of Display adapters and press and hold (or right-click) the Intel HD Graphics driver.

Step 3: Select Uninstall.

Step 4: Go to Start, and select Power >
Restart.

Step 5: After your device restarts, go to Start, and select
Settings > Devices > Connected devices.

Step 6: Select Add a device to connect your device and the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.

If you still can’t connect your device to your Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter continue to solution 9.

Solution 9: Uninstall and Reinstall the Device Wi-Fi Driver

Step 1: Select the search box in the taskbar, enter Device manager, and in the search results, select
Device Manager.

Step 2: Select the arrow to the left of Network adapters and press and hold (or right-click) your device’s network adapter.

Step 3: Select Uninstall.

Step 4: Go to Start, and select Power >
Restart.

Step 5: After your device restarts, go to Start, and select
Settings > Devices > Connected devices.

Step 6: Select Add a device to connect your device and the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.

Hope this helps

Regards

 

Wireless Adapter not working

Hi Nabil,

Thank you for keeping us updated on this query. We will assist you in resolving your issue.

Method 1:

Step 1: Update network adapter driver from the device manager by following the steps below and check if the issue is resolved.

• Press Windows key + X keys on the keyboard and click on
  Device Manager from the options.
• Expand the Network adapters from the options.
• Right click on the wireless network card and select Update option.
• Restart the computer and check if the changes are effective.

Step 2: If the issue persist, I suggest you to uninstall the network adapter driver from the device manager by following the steps below and check if the issue is resolved.

• Press Windows key + X keys on the keyboard and click on
  Device Manager from the options.
• Expand the Network adapters from the options.
• Right click on the wireless network card and select Uninstall.
• Restart the computer for automatic installation of network adapters and check if the changes are effective.

Hope this helps !



We are happy to assist you with any issues pertaining to Windows.



Thank you.

 

Realtek wireless adapter randomly disables

I have a laptop with a Clevo P150EM motherboard and Realtek RTL8723AE wireless adapter running Windows 10 Professional.

I am occasionally able to connect to a wireless network and connect to the internet but the adapter seems to randomly disconnect and disable then enable itself after roughly 20 minutes. When this happens I am unable to reconnect to the network without rebooting the machine.

Sometimes when I try to connect to a network, the connection will be attempted then the adapter disables and enables, stopping the connection from happening.

I have updated all drivers, uninstalled and reinstalled latest drivers, tried everything suggested by Microsoft including turning off the turn off adapter to save power option.

There are several other devices connected to the router that work fine, including Windows 10 devices.

I have exhausted the options presented in the Microsoft forums, most of which just point to solutions in the link above.

Does anyone know how I can get the wireless adapter to maintain a stable connection.