WiFi Adapter Keeps Turning Off

Question

The WiFi adapter (Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN) on my Dell Latitude E6430 (Windows 10 64-bit) refuses to stay on. I click the Network icon in my taskbar, my Wi-Fi says "turned off," so I click the button to turn it on, and a few seconds later, it automatically turns off again. It behaves the same whether I'm connected via ethernet or wireless. I've done everything possible that I've found on countless message boards, support forums, reddit, etc., but it will NOT turn on.

1. The Networking troubleshooter tries to turn on WiFi, but fails.
2. Uninstalled drivers, then reboot, and drivers are automatically reinstalled. But it still doesn't work.
3. Cannot find any drivers online to manually install after uninstalling. The Dell support website - and several Dell/Intel driver utilities I've installed - can find no compatible drivers.
4. I cannot revert to a previous version of the driver (it's always grayed out). I also cannot find the Setup file for my driver, so I cannot run it in Compatibility Mode (it only lists 2 .sys, 1 .dat, and 1 .dll).
5. I've tried disabling the Power option (the most common recommendation) to no avail. (Device Manager > Network Adapter > Wifi Adapter properties > Power Management > Uncheck the box labeled "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" > Reboot)
6. Checked BIOS and verified that the setting to automatically disable WiFi when on Ethernet is disabled. (but my issue happens when not hard-wired, too)
7. Ran these commands in PowerShell:
netsh int tcp set heuristics disabled
netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled (I have set this back to "normal")
netsh int tcp set global rss=enabled
8. Network reset
9. Uninstalled and reinstalled the Dell Command Update tool, ran it, and updated drivers and firmware.
10. Ran DISM and SFC by doing the following in command prompt/PowerShell:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
sfc /scannow

I don't know if it is relevant, but my Airplane Mode button is grayed out. This issue described above happened once about a month ago, and I was somehow able to resolve it (or it resolved itself). I remember something about Airplane Mode, but don't remember what.

I don't know what else to do, and I am getting REALLY frustrated. Any help is appreciated!

thePITman · Accepted Answer

I FIGURED IT OUT! On 10/6, I installed Windows 10 Update 2004. These issues started 10/7. So, I just finished following instructions to uninstall the most recent update and “Go back to previous version of Windows 10." Upon rebooting, not only does my WiFi adapter work perfectly fine, but my Airplane Mode button is not grayed out anymore, and I now see my Bluetooth Devices icon in the system tray that I hadn't even realized was missing.

Here is the link to the steps I followed: https://pureinfotech.com/uninstall-windows-10-2004-2020-update/

DELL-Cares · Answer

Thank you! We have received the required details. We will work towards a resolution via private messages to ensure the security of your information. In the meanwhile, you may receive assistance or suggestions from the community members as well.

JPB3141 · Answer

I have a similar issue. I just spent 2 hours on the phone with Dell Support. After we updated, disabled/enabled, re-downloaded then uninstalled/reinstalled the Wifi 9560 adapter, nothing changed. At the Tech's instruction, I took the back off the laptop and removed/replaced the Wifi card. Still no wifi. He suggested that I then reformat the laptop and reinstall windows and all of my other programs. I said no to that. I can reset the BIOS to its initial state and the wifi works for maybe an hour or two then fails again, so reformatting the laptop is not the solution.

Device Manager tells me that the issue is a code 10 (device cannot start). I have Windows 10 Pro, v 10.0.19041 on a Dell Inspiron 7786, with BIOS version 1.8.0 dated 8/5/2020 if any of that helps.

Somebody somewhere (Dell, Intel, Microsoft) please issue an update that will solve this issue. I have to connect to the Internet and to my Google cloud files by tethering my laptop to my phone. If this can't get resolved, I will go back to HP for my next laptop.

doug22 · Answer

Is there a Microsoft patch or Dell recommended option without rolling back Windows 10 update 2004?

WHR0310 · Answer

Looking for a solution to this also. I just installed a fresh version of Windows 10 on a new SSD. Previously I was able to toggle off the Power Management setting 'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power' and get the wifi back. To me, Windows update does not know that we have a manual switch to turn wifi off.

maplcomputers · Answer

IN BOOT TYPE SELECT LEGACY RATHER THAN UEFI And IN  SYSTEM CONFIGURATION- SATA OPERATION  SELECT RAID MODE  AND PROBLEM OF WIFI ADAPTER IS SOLVED

Thankyouforsunshine · Answer

@JPB3141​ hey man how's it going. Just wanted to ask did you manage to get past the issue(kinda have the same issue)

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WiFi Adapter Keeps Turning Off

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