After my computer recently restarted from an update, it has been unable to truly connect to any source of internet. In the help window, it switches rapidly between connected, a DNS error, and not connected at all. No matter what it displays as the status, nothing that requires internet will load. All other devices in my house do not have this problem.
Solutions I have tried include:
Restarting my router and modem
Restarting the WiFi network adapter
Restarting my pc multiple times
Uninstalling the WiFi driver in device manager and Restarting
Attempting to update the wifi driver (says its the most current version)
Attempting to roll back the driver to a previous update (Not possible, not sure why)
Trying other networks other than my home network
None of these solutions worked.
The only solution I am not able to try is going to my manufacturers driver website and attempting to download a different wireless wifi driver, as doing so would require internet to access.
Please, please help, I need this computer for school and work.
If relevant, my exact model is an Acer Aspire A715-51G series, Model NO. N22Q3
Follow these steps on the Windows 11 PC that has the issue.
Run the built-in Network troubleshooter
On Windows 11, run the automated Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It will run diagnostics and attempt to fix common connectivity issues.
Check if the wireless adapter is detected and enabled
Select Search on the taskbar, type device manager, and open Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
If the wireless adapter is listed but has a down arrow, press and hold (or right-click) it and select Enable device.
If it is not listed at all, Windows is not detecting it. In that case, a driver must be manually installed from the device manufacturer’s website using another PC and a USB drive.
Verify the driver status and version
In Device Manager, expand Network adapters.
Press and hold (or right-click) the wireless adapter, select Properties, then the Driver tab.
Check Driver Version and Driver Date and compare them with the latest version on the Acer support site (from another device). If they do not match, download the correct driver on another PC, copy it to a USB drive, and install it on the affected PC.
Uninstall and reinstall the wireless adapter driver (with backup driver ready)
On another PC with internet, go to the Acer support site for the Aspire A715-51G (Model N22Q3) and download the latest Windows 11 wireless/Wi-Fi driver. Save it to a USB flash drive.
On the affected PC, open Device Manager > Network adapters.
Press and hold (or right-click) the wireless adapter > Uninstall device.
Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device > Uninstall.
Restart the PC: Start > Power > Restart.
After restart, if Windows does not automatically install a working driver, install the driver from the USB drive that was downloaded from Acer.
If the adapter still behaves erratically, use Network reset (last resort)
Select Start > type settings > open Settings > Network & internet.
On Windows 11, select Advanced network settings > Network reset.
Select Reset now > Yes.
The PC will restart; Windows will remove and reinstall all network adapters and reset their settings to defaults.
After restart, reconnect to Wi-Fi and test.
If, after these steps, the wireless adapter still disappears from Device Manager or cannot maintain a connection while other devices work fine, the issue is likely with the Wi-Fi hardware or a very specific driver problem, and contacting Acer support with the model information is recommended.