Wireless Adaptor Problem

Question

I have an XPS with built in WiFi but I didn't realise that at the beginning so I've been using a Belkin WiFi dongle. Anyway, since I realised that mistake, I've been trying to use the built in adaptor - but with no success.
Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network Connections shows the built in Broadcom adaptor.
When I right click it, the computer shows Enabling..., then Enabled. However, once that short process is complete, the Control Panel page still says Disabled and the device doesn't work.
This is the same with the Belkin dongle unplugged and plugged in.
Any ideas anyone?
Chummy
This is my computer.

XPS 8700 Desktop
XPS 8700, Windows 10 Home English

599.25£

1

599.25£

Item	Description
Base	XPS 8700
Operating System	Windows 10 Home English
Memory	16GB Dual Channel DDR3L 1600MHz (4GBx4)
Keyboard	Dell KB213 USB Multimedia Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
Monitor	No Monitor
Video Card	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 745 4GB DDR3
Driver	Dell SRV Software 1704
Hard Drive	2TB 7200 rpm Hard Drive
Ctl 1st	XPS 8700, Black EPA Chassis
Mouse	Dell Laser Mouse
CD ROM/DVD ROM	Tray load DVD Drive (Reads and Writes to DVD/CD)
Sound	Integrated sound card
Speakers	No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Wireless	DW 1704 + BT4.0 [802.11bgn + Bluetooth 4.0, 2.4 GHz, 1x1]
Cable	UK 250V Power Cord
Documentation/Disks	English, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Spanish Shipping Docs
Bundle	CDX8742
Extended Service	1 Year NBD with Premium Phone Support
Placemat	Windows 10 Placemat (ENG, FR, DE, IT, NL)
Documentation	No Warranty Tech Sheet Required
Order Information	XPS 8700 Order
Processor	4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-4790 processor (8M Cache, up to 4.00 GHz)
Accidental Damage Support	No Accidental Damage Support
Packaging	Standard Packing (EPA)
FGA Module	GOOD1603_111/PL/ROC/BTO
Optical Software	CMS2.0, Win8.1, DVD no Media
CFI Included (Smart Selection)	CFI Not Included
Retail Information	No Retail Info Required
Retail Tech Sheets	No Retail Tech Sheet Required
Microsoft Application Software	MUI Microsoft® Office Trial
Non-Microsoft Application Software	FY16 Cycle 5 Additional Software Win 10
Protect your new PC	McAfee Live Safe XPS 12 Month Subscription
Operating System Recovery Options	OS Windows® Recovery Media Not included

DELL-Todd S · Answer

Hi,

I would recommend downloading the lastest Win10 driver for the DW1704 card. Here is a link to the Version 7.35.290, A01 driver.

I would then recommend going into Device Manager and removing all drivers for the various wireless cards, internal and USB, that are listed. Then, go into your network center and delete all the wireless profiles that exist.

Make sure the USB is disconnected, then shut down the system completely. After a few moments power the system back up and allow Windows to try and find a driver for the DW1704. If it doesn't, then install the driver you previously downloaded from the link listed above.

See if doing that will resolve the problem. Let us know if it doesn't and we'll see what else we can suggest for you to try.

Todd

ChummyChambers · Answer

Yep, that worked a treat, thanks Todd!By the way, I have a son called Todd, it's not so common in the UK.

ChummyChambers · Answer

Okay Todd, having to bump this. Recently, my Dell has been playing up.
I switch on in the morning and the same problem as above. Can't enable it.
So I have to disable the adaptor (with a warning that it won't function, obviously) and then reboot.
When my PC comes back on, I CAN then enable the adaptor.
Help!
Martin

PudgyOne · Answer

Martin,

In addition to what Todd stated...

Try these tweaks....

Hit the Windows key and the x keys at the same time, device manager. Click on Network and then right click on your network adapter, left click properties, power management. Uncheck the box, allow computer to turn off this device to save power.

Click on advanced. Look for Antenna Diversity. Change the Antenna Diversity from Auto to Aux.

Also under Advanced, bandwidth capability, change to 20/40mhz

Windows and x keys at the same time, power options, choose when to turn off the display, change advanced power settings. Change the Wireless Adapter Setting, from Maximum Power Setting to Maximum Performance.

Rick

ChummyChambers · Answer

Thanks Rick, looks like some good options there. The first one particularly makes sense.Will report back. :emotion-5:

ChummyChambers · Answer

Hi Rick,Thanks for your suggestions but still the same. Incidentally, the last item (change the Wireless Adapter Setting, from Maximum Power Setting to Maximum Performance) was already set that way.Is it something to do with the previous (plugin) adaptor? is there something left in my PC which is causing the issue? :emotion-3:Martin

PudgyOne · Answer

Martin,

I took the information I have from my notes from helping previous members. The Antenna Diversity and changing the bandwidth capacity were important.

If you have issues, on this system, when you are connected, can you run Network Interface and post the information back here.

Rick

ChummyChambers · Answer

Does it work with Windows 10 Rick?

PudgyOne · Answer

Martin, Network Interface works with Windows 10. You'll have to run as Administrator. Rick

ChummyChambers · Answer

Thanks Rich, here you go.MartinName : Wi-FiDescription : Broadcom 802.11n Network AdapterGUID : 50767ea4-db00-4d15-addb-d4ad1ec79776Physical address : ac:d1:b8:d9:64:35State : connectedSSID : Wellmeadow GuestBSSID : 00:1d:aa:c8:d9:51Network type : InfrastructureRadio type : 802.11nAuthentication : WPA2-PersonalCipher : CCMPConnection mode : Auto ConnectChannel : 6Receive rate (Mbps) : 150Transmit rate (Mbps) : 150Signal : 94%Profile : Wellmeadow GuestHosted network status : Not available

PudgyOne · Answer

Martin,

Looks like a very good connection. The only difference with the wireless router is the channel, compared to mine. If you have access to the wireless router, I would try channel 11. That would be the only change.

I would try the settings I recommended with the wireless adapter in the device manager.

I have a different wireless adapter and my Receive rate and transmit rate are 144Mbps.

Rick

ChummyChambers · Answer

The situation is still the same. The adaptor works fine all day, my Dell PC sleeps overnight and wakes up with it disabled.
I try to enable it, the computers says 'enabled' but it's not. So I have to disable the adaptor manually and then reboot and it WILL then enable.
Martin

ChummyChambers · Answer

I've done all those Rick so it looks like we're at a dead end! [:'(]By the way, what does 'Do NOT do this for the Microsoft Virtual adapter of it goes missing' mean?Martin

PudgyOne · Answer

Martin,

You changed the setting in device manager, your adapter, power management, Uncheck the box, allow computer to turn off this device to save power.

Do NOT do this for the Microsoft Virtual adapter of it goes missing.

Rick

ChummyChambers · Answer

I've done all those Rick!1. Unchecked the box  - allow computer to turn off this device to save power. 2. Antenna Diversity is Aux. 3. Bandwidth capability is now 20/40mhz. 4. Wireless Adapter Setting already was Maximum Performance.So it looks like we're at a dead end! [:'(]By the way, not sure what you mean by 'Do NOT do this for the Microsoft Virtual adapter of it goes missing.'Martin

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wireless Adaptor Problem

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