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Windows 10 Wireless Adapter

10 years ago

Can anyone recommend a wireless network adapter that works well with Window 10? My current adapter was not recognized and I've learned that its not supported. It appears many wireless adapters have issues with Windows 10 64-bit. I'm trying to find one that works well.

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Comments (6)

Elmer J Fudd
10 years ago
Are you referring to a USB Wifi dongle? Have you tried to manually get an updated driver for the device?
johnkr25
Original Author
10 years ago
I was using a Linksys/Cisco AE1200 Wireless N300 USB adapter. Cisco is not supporting the device under Windows 10 and their drivers don't work. There are some workarounds, but speed is dramatically reduced.

I've looked at several other wireless adapters, both USB and PCI-E. Some quick Web searches show Windows 10 issues with many. It appears some that claim compatibility with Windows 10 still have issues with dropped signals and speed.

I'm hoping someone is using a wireless device that they can verify works as it should with the new OS. I'm using Windows 10 Professional 64-bit.

Thanks for all help and comments.
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To answer your specific question, I'd shop mainly by price. I don't see investing too much in a network adapter for an older computer. You'll want a USB adapter. I don't know how you feel about this or what you might have done, but it might be worth the effort to poke around a bit. I'd check with HP for the latest, greatest driver and install that. If that doesn't help, I'd delete the network card in Device Manager, reboot, let Windows reinstall it, and see what that does. The computer does use a mini card so you don't have to replace the motherboard. I can't see it being cost effective unless you can find a used one somewhere and have the ability to replace it yourself.
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OK...obviously I'm too dumb to be allowed to post on this forum. My sister just called the people who put her computer together. She does NOT have an internal wireless adapter. Not only that, the item we purchased, the ASIX adapter, is just an adapter...not what we thought it was. I am totally confused about the difference between "Ethernet" and the external adapter...and the whole thing. I see now that we need to purchase an external wireless card. Is that right? And could someone explain to me what it is that the Device Manager is seeing if it's not the item that allows for wireless connectivity? So sorry to be so incorrect about the information I thought I was providing all of you. I know nothing about hardware, as you can see. Thank you again for all of your help. Bugsy
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I was able to flush the dns on both the xp and vista laptops. But I still can't connect either laptop wirelessly to the "fmaily room" network (which is still unsecured). I cannot access the Nat,spi or firewall soI don't know if that's the problem. Both laptops show a strong signal (full bars) to the family room network - but don't connect. They do connect via wired connection (does this mean I have so far created a network switch). On both laptops I selected "family room" as the preferred network to connect to. But both connected to my Lynn network (from the opposite corner of the house - with only a weak signal). On the Vista laptop it says Windows cannot connect to "family room" - and when asked to connect to family room, it said "Windows association failed due to an unknown reason." When I selected "diagnose and repair, it said Windows did not find any problems with your Internet connection." Then I tried one further thing. I saw on the Vista laptop that it still listed the family room network as having WPA2 security - so i changed what the laptop had for listed for family room network to reflect no current security settings. Then I tried to connect again. It wouldn't connect. Then I clicked repair/diagnose - and it said "this network is marked as a "hidden" network and is either not in the range of this computer or the wireless settings saved on this computer do not match the settings of the network." It is in range of the network - 3 feet away and receiving a full strong signal. So perhaps the network settings do not match the router or access point (although I'm not sure where to look to check this since I think I set it all up to match). The other thing is says is "if you own or set up this network, reset your wireless router or access point and try connecting again." Should I try this? Does it mean unplugging SMC access point, linksys router and modem - waiting and replugging them in? If so, in what order? Or does this mean resetting the SMC completely and starting from scratch? So now what? Jane - I realize that Mikie's the guy - and I very much appreciate his help. Those links helped me get clearer on definitions, but don't really get specific enough to address these set up complications. Thank you. Lynn.
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Elmer J Fudd
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
This may be too technical for you, but many Wifi range extenders have ethernet sockets and can act as bridges. Meaning, while the device is intended for other purposes, it can act as the connection to the Wifi signal of your network, and then the signal path connects to your PC using an ethernet cable. There's no need for drivers on the PC side of any kind because what it's receiving is a vanilla ethernet connection.

You can also use an old router for the same purpose. Either way, you need to make sure that DHCP is turned off on the secondary device.

Or, you can buy Powerline devices to run network signal through your home wiring. One device at router, a second device at your PC, and then an ethernet connection.

If you try new kinds of devices, be sure to buy from a seller like Amazon that has a no questions asked return policy.
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Post #1 of 3 (Same Problem)

I have 2 Acer Aspire V5 573p-6896 Laptops that lost their connections after the Upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. If I was sitting within 5 feet of the Router I could connect Wirelessly. Anything further and I couldn't connect. My Sister purchased the exact same Laptop (same Wireless Card) and it works fine after her upgrade. I'm the one that set all 3 Laptops up and then Upgraded them to Windows 10. Everything was exactly the same! Why did 1 work and the other 2 wouldn't?

Anyway, I replaced my WiFi Cards in these laptops with a different Model WiFi/BT Card. The WiFi is now working Flawlessly in both laptops now. One of the WiFi/BT Cards that stopped working I decided to install into an older Acer Aspire 5742z-4601 Laptop that was already upgraded to Windows 10. The card that wouldn't work in the V5 573p-6896 worked in the 5742z-4601.

All of these computer are currently running on Windows 10 Home 64-bit. The newer laptops were originally running Window 8, upgraded to Windows 8.1, then finally Upgraded to Windows 10. The older laptop was upgraded from Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit to Windows 10.
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Post #2 of 3 (Possible Fixes)

Here is a Link to a YouTube Video for Repairing the WiFi Connections in Windows 10: Windows 10 WiFi Repair From reading the Reviews Method #3 has worked the best!
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Post #3 of 3 (Possible Fixes 2)

Here is what Microsoft said to do:

Welcome to our Microsoft Community. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused.

This issue may occur due to corrupt network drivers or settings.

Follow the below methods and check if it helps,

I would suggest you to run network adapter troubleshooter and check if it helps. Please follow these steps:

Method 1:

a. Type troubleshooting in the search box on taskbar.
b. Click troubleshooting in the search results.
c. Click "View all" and then click "Network Adapter".
d. Click "Next" and follow on-screen instructions.

Method 2:

Remove and re-create the wireless network connection
To remove and re-create the wireless network connection, follow these steps:

1.Click Start, type ncpa.cpl, and then hit Enter.
2.Right-click your wireless network connection, and then click Properties.
3.Click the Wireless Networks tab.
4.Under Preferred networks, click your wireless network, and then click Remove.
5.Click View Wireless Networks.
6.Under Network Tasks, click Refresh Network List.
7.Under Choose a wireless network, click the wireless network to which you want to connect, and then click Connect.

Also follow the troubleshooting steps from this article and check if it helps.

Note: This article also applies to Windows 10

Wired and Wireless Network Problems

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/network-connection-problem-help#network-problems=windows-...

Why can’t I get offline?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-10/getstarted-why-cant-i-get-connected

Fix network connection issues

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/fix-network-connection-issues

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