Troubleshoot Wi-Fi Not Working Issues and Connect to Your Wi-Fi Network

Before You Begin

This knowledge base article provides advanced wireless networking troubleshooting steps for persistent Wi-Fi connectivity issues that remain unresolved after completing basic troubleshooting procedures. Use this guide if you have already completed all steps in the Wi-Fi Not Working? Solve Computer or Laptop Wi-Fi Connection Issues guide without success.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with these advanced troubleshooting steps, confirm that you have completed:

• Turned off Airplane Mode
• Enabled Wi-Fi
• Restarted computer and router
• Updated Wi-Fi drivers and BIOS
• Optimized network using SupportAssist
• Forgotten and reconnected to Wi-Fi network
• Run SupportAssist Wi-Fi troubleshooter
• Run Windows Network Troubleshooter
• Reinstalled Wi-Fi drivers
• Reset TCP/IP and DNS settings
• Reset network settings

If any of these steps have not been completed, return to the Wi-Fi Not Working? Solve Computer or Laptop Wi-Fi Connection Issues guide before continuing.

Table of Contents

1. Verify Wi-Fi Adapter Hardware Functionality
2. Optimize Wireless Adapter Configuration
3. Resolve Airplane Mode Issues
4. Analyze Wireless Environment and Interference
5. Test Alternative DNS Servers
6. Disable IPv6 Protocol (Diagnostic Test)
7. Configure Quality of Service (QoS)
8. Perform Clean Boot Troubleshooting
9. Reset WLAN AutoConfig Service
10. File Sharing and Network Location
11. Generate Advanced Diagnostics

1. Verify Wi-Fi Adapter Hardware Functionality.

Issue Addressed: Hardware-level wireless adapter failures or disabled adapters in BIOS/UEFI

Steps:

1. Restart your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI setup by pressing F2 during the Dell logo screen
2. Navigate to Connection settings
3. Locate the WLAN option and verify that the checkbox is checked.
4. If available, verify that Wake on WLAN is configured appropriately
5. Save changes and exit BIOS/UEFI
6. Run Dell hardware diagnostics:
   • Restart computer and press F12 during Dell logo.
   • Select the Diagnostics tab. The quick test runs and provides results.

Expected Outcome: The wireless adapter should be enabled in the BIOS and pass hardware diagnostics. If hardware tests fail, the wireless adapter may require replacement.

2. Optimize Wireless Adapter Configuration.

Your wireless adapter has advanced settings that can dramatically improve connection stability.

Find Your Wi-Fi Adapter Type.

1. In the Search box, enter change wifi settings
2. Select Change WiFi settings (System settings)
3. Select Hardware properties
4. Note the Manufacturer and Description listed you need this information

Issue Addressed: Aggressive power management causing adapter disconnections or poor performance

Steps:

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager)
2. Expand Network adapters
3. Right-click your wireless adapter and select Properties
4. Navigate to the Power Management tab (if available, otherwise go to step 7).
5. Clear the checkbox for Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
6. Click OK to save changes
7. Navigate to the Advanced tab
8. Review and adjust these settings if available:
   • Power Output: Set to Maximum or 100%
   • Power Saving Mode: Set to Disabled or Maximum Performance
   • Wake on Magic Packet: Set to Disabled (unless required for network wake functionality)
   • Wake on Pattern Match: Set to Disabled (unless required)

Now let us optimize the setting on your wireless adapter based on your adapter manufacturer.

Follow the section below that matches your manufacturer.

Intel Wi-Fi Adapters

Intel adapters are common in Dell computers and offer several performance settings you can adjust.

While on the Advanced tab, review and adjust the available settings as needed as listed in Table 1. Not all properties are present for every adapter model, so configure only the options available to achieve optimal performance.

Property	Recommended Value	What It Does
802.11n Channel Width for 2.4 GHz	Auto	Automatically adjusts the channel bandwidth.
802.11n Channel Width for 5.2 GHz	Auto	Automatically adjusts the channel bandwidth.
802.11n/ac/ax Mode	Enabled	Enables faster wireless speeds.
Fat Channel Intolerant	Disabled	Allows wider channels for better speed.
Roaming Aggressiveness	1. Lowest (home) or 3. Medium (office).	Controls how quickly you switch access points.
Throughput Booster	Enabled (if available)	Improves network throughput.
Preferred Band	3. Prefer 5GHz band (if 5GHz is available)	Prioritizes faster 5GHz connections.
MIMO Power Save Mode	No SMPS	Maximizes performance.
Transmit Power	5. Highest	Maximizes signal strength.
Wireless Mode	Select the highest option available.	Uses the latest Wi-Fi standard that your router supports.

Table 1:

1. Select OK
2. Restart your computer

Broadcom or Dell Wi-Fi Adapters

While still on the Advanced tab, review the settings listed in Table 2 and adjust those that are available. Not all properties appear on every adapter model, so configure only the options available to optimize performance.

Property	Recommended Value	What It Does
AP Compatibility Mode	Broader Compatibility	Balances performance with support for older/non-standard devices.
Minimum Power Consumption	Disabled	Ensures that the adapter remains active during use without unexpected power‑saving disconnections.

Table 2:

1. Select OK.
2. Restart your computer.

Qualcomm (Atheros) Wi-Fi Adapters

While still on the Advanced tab, review the setting listed below and adjust it as needed.

1. Find Roaming Policy and set it to Very Low
2. Select OK
3. Restart your computer

Killer Wireless Adapters

While still on the Advanced tab, review the settings listed in Table 3 and adjust those that are available. Not all properties appear on every adapter model, so configure only the options available to optimize performance.

Property	Recommended Value	What It Does
Channel Width for 2.4 GHz	Auto	Automatically adjusts the channel bandwidth.
Channel Width for 5.2 GHz	Auto	Automatically adjusts the channel bandwidth.
802.11a/b/g Wireless Mode	Set to the option with the most protocols listed	Allows your wireless adapter to connect with a broad range of routers.
802.11n/ac/ax Wireless Mode	Set to the highest protocol available (ac is better than n, ax is better than n and ac)	Allows your wireless adapter to connect with a broad range of routers.
Fat Channel Intolerant	Disabled	Allows wider channels for better speed.
Roaming Aggressiveness	1. Lowest (home) or 3. Medium (office).	Controls how quickly you switch access points.
Throughput Booster	Enabled (if available)	Improves network throughput.
Preferred Band	Set to No Preference.	Allows your wireless adapter to determine which band has the best connection.
MIMO Power Save Mode	No SMPS	Maximizes performance.
Transmit Power	5. Highest	Maximizes signal strength.

Table 3

1. Select OK.
2. Restart your computer.

Realtek Wi-Fi Adapters

While still on the Advanced tab, review the settings listed in Table 4 and adjust those that are available. Not all properties appear on every adapter model, so configure only the options available to optimize performance.

Property	Recommended Value	What It Does
Wireless Mode	Set to Auto	Allows your wireless adapter to connect with a broad range of routers.
Bandwidth	Set to Auto or 20/40MHz for 2.4GHz, Auto, or 80MHz/160MHz for 5GHz	The wider bands provide potential bandwidth for maximum throughput.
WMM	Enabled	Quality of Service (QoS) feature in Wi-Fi that prioritizes data for applications like voice (VoIP) and video streaming.
AP Compatibility Mode	Broader Compatibility	Allows your wireless adapter to connect with a broad range of routers.
Minimum Power Consumption	Disabled	Ensures that the adapter remains active during use without unexpected power‑saving disconnections.

Table 4

1. Select OK.
2. Restart your computer.

Expected Outcome: Optimized wireless adapter settings improve connection stability and performance while ensuring the adapter remains active during use without unexpected power‑saving disconnections.

3. Resolve Airplane Mode Issues.

If Airplane mode will not turn off even after trying the basic steps, these advanced solutions can help.

Method 1: Reset the Airplane Mode Device in Device Manager.

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager)
2. If the User Account Control window appears, select Yes
3. Select the arrow next to Network adapters
4. Right-click your wireless network adapter (its name includes the word "wireless") and select Disable
5. Right-click your wireless network adapter again and select Enable
6. Right-click your wireless network adapter and select Properties
7. Navigate to the Power Management tab (if available, otherwise go to step 10).
8. Clear the checkbox for Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power
9. Select OK
10. Restart your computer and check if Airplane mode turns off

Method 2: Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter.

If Airplane mode still will not turn off, Windows has a specialized troubleshooter that can help.

1. Right-click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray, and then select Diagnose network problems.
2. The status of the wireless adapter is given, and you are given several options.
   • Turn on Wi-Fi The wireless adapter is turned on (if this does not resolve the issue go to the next option).
   • Turn off airplane mode This opens the Airplane mode settings. Select the slider next to Airplane mode to the off position.
     NOTE: Turning off Airplane mode does not automatically enable Wi-Fi. You may need to turn Wi-Fi on separately.
3. Restart your computer.

Method 3: Reset the Network Adapter.

If Airplane mode still will not turn off, perform the following steps.

1. Right-click the Windows icon and select Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset > Reset now.
2. Restart your computer.

Method 4: Update BIOS and Wireless Drivers

Outdated system firmware can prevent Airplane mode from functioning correctly.

1. Update your BIOS following the instructions in our BIOS update guide
2. Download and install the latest wireless drivers from our Drivers & Downloads page

Cannot get online to download updates?

• Connect your computer to the router using a network cable, or
• Download the files on another device and transfer them using a USB flash drive

Alternative: Reinstall the Wireless Driver Without Internet.

If none of the above works and you cannot get online to download a new driver, you can force Windows to reinstall the existing driver.

 

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager)
2. If the User Account Control window appears, select Yes
3. Select the arrow next to Network adapters
4. Right-click your wireless network adapter and select Uninstall
   • WARNING: Do NOT check the box for Attempt to remove the driver for the device.
5. Select OK
6. Save your work, close all programs, and restart your computer
7. Windows automatically reinstalls the driver during startup

4. Analyze Wireless Environment and Interference.

Issue Addressed: Environmental radio frequency interference affecting wireless performance

See the Dell Make Your Home Wi-Fi Better: Boost Speed and Signal library page for guidance on improving performance and addressing speed or interference issues.

Expected Outcome: Reduced interference and improved connection quality by operating on the optimal wireless channel.

5. Test Alternative DNS Servers

Issue Addressed: DNS resolution failures causing "connected but no Internet" symptoms

To help resolve this issue, perform the following steps:

1. Right-click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray, and then select Network and Internet settings.
2. Select the Wi-Fi tab (where the Wi-Fi on/off slider is located).
3. Select the Hardware properties tab.
4. Select Edit on the DNS server assignment tab.
5. Using the drop-down menu select Manual.
6. Select the slider next to IPv4 to change it to On.
7. Under Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS select one of the options below and input them into the appropriate fields.

Option 1 - Google DNS:

• Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
• Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4

Option 2 - Cloudflare DNS:

• Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1
• Alternate DNS: 1.0.0.1

Option 3 - Quad9 DNS:

• Preferred DNS: 9.9.9.9
• Alternate DNS: 149.112.112.112

8. Click Save.
9. In the search box, type command prompt.
10. Open Command Prompt as administrator
11. In the command prompt, type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
12. In the command prompt, type ipconfig /registerdns and press Enter.
13. Save your work, close all programs, and restart your computer.
14. Test Internet connectivity by opening a web browser.

Expected Outcome: If DNS was the issue, web browsing should now function properly.

6. Disable IPv6 Protocol (Diagnostic Test)

Issue Addressed: IPv6 configuration conflicts causing connectivity issues.

To use this as a diagnostic test, perform the following steps:

1. Right-click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray, and then select Network and Internet settings.
2. Select the Wi-Fi tab (where the Wi-Fi on/off slider is located).
3. Select the Hardware properties tab.
4. Select Edit on the More adapter options tab (listed at the bottom of the page).
5. Clear the checkbox next to Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
6. Click OK
7. Test your wireless connection for 24-48 hours

 

Expected Outcome: If connectivity improves, investigate IPv6 router configuration or contact your ISP about IPv6 support.

7. Configure Quality of Service (QoS)

Issue Addressed: Network congestion or bandwidth prioritization issues

To help resolve this issue, perform the following steps:

1. In the search box, type command prompt.
2. Open Command Prompt as administrator

Disable Windows Auto-Tuning (temporary test):

1. In the command prompt, type netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled and press Enter.

Verify the Change:

1. In the command prompt, type netsh interface tcp show global and press Enter. The "Receive Window Auto-Tuning Level" should now show "disabled."
2. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect and test connectivity for several hours.

Reenable auto-tuning if no improvement:

1. In the command prompt, type netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=normal and press Enter.
2. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Expected Outcome: Improved bandwidth allocation and reduced network congestion impact.

8. Perform Clean Boot Troubleshooting.

Issue Addressed: Third-party software or services interfering with wireless functionality

See Dell Knowledge Base article How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10 and 11 for instructions.

If Wi-Fi works in clean boot:

1. Use System Configuration to reenable services/startup items one group at a time
2. Restart after each group is enabled
3. Identify which service or application causes the conflict
4. Uninstall or update the problematic software

Common Conflicting Software:

• VPN clients (especially older versions)
• Network monitoring tools
• Third-party antivirus/firewall software
• System optimization utilities
• Virtual machine networking software

Expected Outcome: Identification and removal of conflicting software restores wireless functionality.

9. Reset WLAN AutoConfig Service

Issue Addressed: Windows wireless service corruption or configuration issues

To help resolve this issue, perform the following steps:

1. Press and hold the Windows key, then press r
2. In the Run box, type services.msc and press Enter
3. Locate WLAN AutoConfig service
4. Right-click and select Stop
5. Wait 30 seconds
6. Right-click WLAN AutoConfig and select Start
7. Test wireless connectivity

If the issue persists:

1. In the search box, type command prompt.
2. Open Command Prompt as administrator

Reset WLAN AutoConfig service dependencies:

1. In the command prompt, type sc config WlanSvc depend= Ndisuio/RpcSs/Dhcp and press Enter.

Restart the service:

1. In the command prompt, type net stop WlanSvc and press Enter.
2. In the command prompt, type net start WlanSvc and press Enter.

Verify that the service is running:

1. In the command prompt, type sc query WlanSvc and press Enter. Ensure the STATE reads as RUNNING.

Expected Outcome: Service restart resolves wireless service corruption.

10. File Sharing and Network Location

Configure Network Location Settings.

Windows uses network location settings to control security and file-sharing capabilities. Setting the correct location ensures that your computer can communicate with other devices on your network.

When to Use Public vs. Private Networks:

• Public: Use this at coffee shops, libraries, airports, or hotels. It provides maximum security by blocking file sharing and device discovery.
• Private: Use this at home or in your office. It allows your computer to see other devices and printers on the network.

To confirm or change Your Network Location.

1. Ensure that you are connected to your Wi-Fi network
2. Select the network icon in the system tray (lower-right corner)
3. Select the arrow above your network name.
4. Select information icon in the upper right corner.
5. Choose either Public or Private based on your location.
6. Close the window.

File Sharing (Windows 10/11)

 

Alternative Sharing Methods:

1. Network Sharing:
   • See the Microsoft Knowledge Base article Microsoft: Changes to File Sharing for more information.
2. OneDrive Cloud Storage:
   • Free with Microsoft account
   • Access from any device
   • See the Microsoft Knowledge Base article Sync files with OneDrive in Windows for more information.

11. Advanced Diagnostics Options

Check Windows Event Logs for Wireless Errors.

1. Press and hold the Windows key, then press r
2. In the Run box, type eventvwr.msc and press Enter
3. Navigate to Windows Logs > System.
4. Click Filter Current Log in the right panel
5. Under Event sources, check WLAN-AutoConfig
6. Review error and warning events for clues about wireless failures
7. Common error codes:
   • Event ID 4001: WLAN service cannot start
   • Event ID 8003: Wireless driver failed to initialize
   • Event ID 11000: Wireless adapter not functioning properly

Generate Wireless Network Report.

1. In the search box, type command prompt.
2. Open Command Prompt as administrator
3. In the command prompt, type netsh wlan show wlanreport and press Enter.
4. Report saves to:
   C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WlanReport\wlan-report-latest.html
5. Open the HTML file in a web browser
6. See the Microsoft Knowledge Base article Analyze the wireless network report for more information about how to read the report.

Run Dell Online Diagnostics.

1. Go to the Dell Network Adapter Diagnostics page
2. Follow the on-screen instructions.
   Do not have SupportAssist? Download it from our SupportAssist page.

Run Dell ePSA Diagnostics.

See Dell Knowledge Base article How to Run Dell Preboot Diagnostics and Hardware Tests on Your Dell Computer for instructions on how to run the ePSA Diagnostics.

 

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