Many times we encounter problems related to wireless networks. Sometimes it happens that the coverage is very weak or that the speed is not what we would like. However, on other occasions it may happen that the network adapter directly does not work well. There are several causes that can cause this. In this article, we are going to focus on an error that causes the Wi-Fi adapter to disconnect when connecting to a wireless network.
Wi-Fi adapter disconnects
This problem appears in Windows for many users. Suddenly the Wi-Fi adapter stops working when they click to connect to a particular network. They have to reboot the system or remove and put the adapter back in, but the same thing keeps happening and they can’t connect.
Users who have this problem usually report it after they have installed some Windows update . It may happen that there are corrupt files or that the process has not finished correctly and that is why the adapter is disconnected once they click on a wireless network.
It also occurs due to some program that is in the system and that may be generating a conflict. For example a VPN or a firewall. In this case it would be a software conflict and could lead to the connection being cut if it is not configured correctly or some application of this type detects it as a threat.
On the other hand, this error could appear if there is any malware on the computer. There are many varieties of viruses that affect system operation, but also specifically to some component such as the wireless network card, as is the case with this problem.
How to fix the problem
After explaining why the Wi-Fi adapter disconnects when you connect to a network, we are going to talk about what steps to take to try to prevent this from happening. A series of tips to ensure that everything works correctly and to be able to surf the Internet without any problem of this type.
Check pending updates
The first thing you should do is check that Windows is correctly updated. To do this you have to go to Start, enter Settings and click on Windows Update . It will automatically take you to a new window where possible files pending updating will appear.
It is important that you always have the latest version installed and that there are no pending files. If this happens, there could be problems when using certain components, such as the Wi-Fi network adapter or any other, since it would create a conflict.
Check that it is configured correctly
Do you have the Wi-Fi adapter correctly configured ? The most basic thing is to see that it is actually plugged into the corresponding USB port. Modern adapters can plug into USB 3.0 ports, so you should avoid putting it into 2.0 ports and having them limited in performance.
In addition, you should also verify that it is correctly updated. To do this you can go to Start, enter Device Manager, go to Network adapters and select the corresponding one there. You have to click the second button above the Wi-Fi adapter and click on Update driver .
This is a process that you should do periodically and not just when problems appear. In this way you make sure that you are using the latest versions available and you will not have problems to achieve the maximum speed of the Internet or avoid errors with the system that can cause blockages.
Avoid conflicts with VPN or firewall
If you are using a VPN or firewall , it is important that you check that they work well. These programs can be the cause of certain errors, especially when it comes to cuts in the Internet connection or inability to access the network wirelessly. They are very useful applications, but a bad configuration can cause problems.
The first thing to check is that the firewall is not blocking . It can especially happen if you have both apps running at the same time. This can generate a conflict at the connection level and the adapter disconnects as soon as you click on a Wi-Fi network.
You should also check that you are using a good program. In the case of VPNs, there are a plethora of options available. You will be able to find both free and paid alternatives. However, the latter are the ones that will offer the best guarantees and you will have fewer problems browsing without interruptions. Some options like ExpressVPN or NordVPN are very popular and work well.
Scan for threats
Another problem that can cause the Wi-Fi adapter to disconnect when connecting to a wireless network is that there is a virus in the system . In this case, the ideal is to have a good antivirus that is capable of analyzing the computer to detect any threat that may exist.
Some options you have are Windows Defender, Avast or Bitdefender. However, there are many antivirus programs out there, both free and paid, for all types of operating systems. You simply have to choose one with guarantees, that works correctly and that protects your equipment well.
But beyond scanning for threats, it’s best to keep viruses out. You should always keep common sense and not make mistakes, and use official applications to reduce the risk of a hacker sneaking maliciously modified software.
Restore the system to an earlier point
If all of the above hasn’t had any positive effect and the network adapter keeps disconnecting, you can always restore Windows to a previous point where it was working fine. There may be corrupted files, an update may not be recoverable, or you may have configured something wrong.
To do this you have to go to Start, search for Create a restore point and click on System Restore . There you will see different options to be able to choose a specific date or select another manually. The interesting thing here is that you choose a point where you know the equipment was working properly. For example before updating the system or before installing any program.
This process will take a few minutes and once it is complete you will be able to see if it has really been solved and the Wi-Fi adapter is working normally again. It is one of the resources that you will have available and you do not need to install anything, since it is a feature that comes integrated with the system.
All in all, if you encounter the Wi-Fi adapter has stopped working issue in Windows, there are a few steps you can take to fix it. It is a relatively common error if you have recently updated the operating system and some file has been left pending.