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Wi-Fi Randomly Drops on Windows 11 PC – Tried All Fixes, No Solution

Group3215

New Member
I’ve been battling a persistent Wi-Fi issue on my Windows 11 PC for the past two weeks. The connection randomly drops (despite showing "Connected"), forcing me to manually disable/re-enable Wi-Fi to restore it. Other devices on the same network work perfectly, so the issue is isolated to my PC.

What I’ve already tried:
  • Updated network adapter drivers (Intel/Realtek/etc.) to the latest version.
  • Switched between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands (problem occurs on both).
  • Uninstalled/reinstalled the network adapter via Device Manager.
  • Performed a full PC reset and rolled back recent Windows 11 updates.
  • Disabled power-saving settings for the Wi-Fi adapter.
  • Reset TCP/IP stack and flushed DNS.
System details:
  • OS: Windows 11 (Version 24H2)
  • Network adapter: [RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E 160MHz]
Question:
Has anyone encountered a similar issue? Are there any less common fixes I might have missed? Could this be a hardware problem with the adapter itself? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
 

win

Windows Forum Moderator
Below are advanced troubleshooting steps to help resolve the issue:


1. Update Wi-Fi Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common cause of Wi-Fi issues.

  • Manual Update:
    1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
    2. Expand Network Adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and select Update Driver.
    3. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
  • Manufacturer’s Website:
    • Visit the website of your PC or Wi-Fi adapter manufacturer (e.g., Intel, Realtek, Qualcomm) and download the latest driver.
  • Uninstall and Reinstall:
    1. In Device Manager, right-click the Wi-Fi adapter and select Uninstall Device.
    2. Restart your PC, and Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.

2. Disable Power Saving for Wi-Fi Adapter

Windows may turn off the Wi-Fi adapter to save power.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Network Adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and select Properties.
  3. Go to the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
  4. Click OK.

3. Reset Network Settings

Resetting network settings can resolve configuration issues.

  1. Open Settings (Win + I).
  2. Go to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
  3. Click Reset now and confirm.
  4. Restart your PC.

4. Change Wi-Fi Frequency Band

Interference or compatibility issues can cause drops.

  1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
  2. Click Hardware properties.
  3. Under Preferred band, select 5 GHz (if your router supports it) or 2.4 GHz.
  4. Save changes and test your connection.

5. Disable IPv6

IPv6 can sometimes cause connectivity issues.

  1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
  2. Click Hardware properties > Edit next to IP assignment.
  3. Select Manual and toggle IPv6 to Off.
  4. Save changes and restart your PC.

6. Check for Router Issues

The problem might not be with your PC but with your router.

  • Restart your router and modem.
  • Update your router’s firmware (check the manufacturer’s website for instructions).
  • Test the connection with another device to rule out router issues.

7. Disable Background Apps

Background apps can interfere with your Wi-Fi connection.

  1. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Background apps.
  2. Turn off Let apps run in the background.
  3. Alternatively, disable background activity for specific apps.

8. Disable VPN or Proxy

VPNs and proxies can cause connectivity issues.

  1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > VPN.
  2. Disable any active VPN connections.
  3. For proxies, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy and disable any proxy settings.

9. Check for Windows Updates

Ensure your system is up to date.

  1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
  2. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
  3. Restart your PC.

10. Perform a Clean Boot

Third-party software or services might be causing the issue.

  1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  2. Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all.
  3. Go to the Startup tab and open Task Manager.
  4. Disable all startup items.
  5. Restart your PC and test the Wi-Fi connection.

11. Use a USB Wi-Fi Adapter

If the issue persists, your internal Wi-Fi adapter might be faulty. Consider using an external USB Wi-Fi adapter as a temporary or permanent solution.


12. Reinstall Windows 11

As a last resort, perform a clean installation of Windows 11 to rule out software corruption.

  1. Backup your data.
  2. Create a bootable USB drive using the Media Creation Tool.
  3. Boot from the USB drive and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Windows.

13. Contact Manufacturer Support

If none of the above steps work, your Wi-Fi adapter or motherboard might have a hardware issue. Contact your PC or adapter manufacturer for further assistance.
 
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