Wifi Network Disconnects Suddenly

[History658]

Hello everyone,

I have a problem with my wireless internet connection. It does not happen often, but at times the wifi connection simply disconnects. I did not think much of it for long, but this has now happened the third time during a zoom meeting. I normally have to restart my PC and then the connection is back on. But I have no idea why this happens. My Wifi at home seems to be fine, as I do not have this problem with my laptop or other devices.

Speccy: [ATTACH type=“full”]7576[/ATTACH]

Here is my ipconfig/all result:

[SPOILER=“ipconfig/all”]Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : DESKTOP-M0EFG7N
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : mynet

Ethernet adapter Ethernet:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 70-85-C2-C5-86-51
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Unknown adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : ExpressVPN Wintun Driver
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . :
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : mynet
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : ASUS PCE-AC88 802.11ac Network Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 2C-FD-A1-CE-CD-CD
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::18f6:e683:f8ba:3a09%14(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.65(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, February 8, 2021 9:58:01 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, February 9, 2021 9:58:01 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.128.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 439156129
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-27-1C-E2-39-70-85-C2-C5-86-51
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 1.1.1.1
1.0.0.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection 2:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network) #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1A-7D-DA-71-15
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes[/SPOILER]

Here is the info from the event viewer from around when the disconnect happened:
Log Name: System
Source: Microsoft-Windows-DNS-Client
Date: 08-Feb-21 9:51:55 AM
Event ID: 1014
Task Category: (1014)
Level: Warning
Keywords: (268435456)
User: NETWORK SERVICE
Computer: DESKTOP-M0EFG7N
Description:
Name resolution for the name wpad timed out after none of the configured DNS servers responded.
Event Xml:



1014
0
3
1014
0
0x4000000010000000

18025


System
DESKTOP-M0EFG7N



wpad
128
02000000010101010000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000


Log Name: System
Source: BCMPCIEDHD63
Date: 08-Feb-21 9:52:03 AM
Event ID: 5002
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: DESKTOP-M0EFG7N
Description:
ASUS PCE-AC88 802.11ac Network Adapter : Has determined that the network adapter is not functioning properly.
Event Xml:



5002
0
2
0
0
0x80000000000000

18026


System
DESKTOP-M0EFG7N



\Device\NDMP2
ASUS PCE-AC88 802.11ac Network Adapter
0000080002003800000000008A1300C0000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000100000004000000


Log Name: Microsoft-Windows-AppModel-Runtime/Admin
Source: Microsoft-Windows-AppModel-Runtime
Date: 08-Feb-21 9:52:29 AM
Event ID: 65
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Process
User: DESKTOP-M0EFG7N\Ghassan
Computer: DESKTOP-M0EFG7N
Description:
Failed with 0x57 retrieving AppModel Runtime status for package Windows.
Event Xml:



65
0
2
0
0
0x2000000000000001

16598


Microsoft-Windows-AppModel-Runtime/Admin
DESKTOP-M0EFG7N



87
Windows


Log Name: Microsoft-Windows-DeviceSetupManager/Admin
Source: Microsoft-Windows-DeviceSetupManager
Date: 08-Feb-21 9:53:40 AM
Event ID: 202
Task Category: None
Level: Warning
Keywords:
User: SYSTEM
Computer: DESKTOP-M0EFG7N
Description:
The Network List Manager reports no connectivity to the internet.
Event Xml:



202
0
3
0
0
0x4000000000000000

1229


Microsoft-Windows-DeviceSetupManager/Admin
DESKTOP-M0EFG7N





Log Name: Microsoft-Windows-DeviceSetupManager/Admin
Source: Microsoft-Windows-DeviceSetupManager
Date: 08-Feb-21 9:53:40 AM
Event ID: 200
Task Category: None
Level: Warning
Keywords:
User: SYSTEM
Computer: DESKTOP-M0EFG7N
Description:
A connection to the Windows Update service could not be established.
Event Xml:



200
0
3
0
0
0x4000000000000000

1230


Microsoft-Windows-DeviceSetupManager/Admin
DESKTOP-M0EFG7N




I would really be grateful for any kind of advice as to what I could do to make sure such a disconnect does not happen again.

Thanks!

[Bruce]

have you tried changing the DNS server to the WAN address of your internet service provider?
also check the power settings of the wireless adapter, it may be going to sleep.
check in Control Panel, Power Options, change it High Performance.

[History658]

Thanks for your reply. Power options have been on High Performance for some time, so I don’t think it is that. How exactly would I go about changing the DNS server to the WAN address (I tried googling it, but didn’t find anything concrete about my provider).

[Bruce]

sorry, my mistake, I was working on something at work yesterday and had the wrong train of thought in my head.

what I meant to say was try changing the DNS server to something else, like Google’s one 8.8.8.8
if your network adapter is set to auto, these changes are done by logging into your modem.
in a web browser, type 192.168.128.1 and hit enter.
if you haven’t changed the username/password, it’ll be on a sticker on the modem somewhere.

the other way is to go to Control Panel, Network and Sharing Centre, Change adapter settings, double click your Ethernet adapter, Properties, double click Internet Protocol 4 and enter the details there.
your ipconfig/all spoiler above has the details required.

but if what you say is true and the other PC’s in the house don’t suffer the same fate, then that would indicate an issue specific to your PC, unless you aren’t comparing apples with apples.
that is, have your Zoom’d on the laptop for a similar period to test that theory?

[History658]

that is, have your Zoom’d on the laptop for a similar period to test that theory?

Mmh, I have indeed zoomed with my laptop and so far nothing similar has happened. That being said, given that these disconnects don’t happen often (so far maybe every 2 months or so), it is pretty hard test on other devices. Maybe I just shouldn’t worry about this happening now and then with my PC, but even if it only happens every 2 months, it is very annoying if it happens during an important meeting…

[Bruce]

AH!, if it only happens maybe every 2 months, that is well within the allowed tolerances of wireless reception in my experience.
it could be anything from the neighbour doing some arc welding, someone downstairs flick a fluro on, the wife whacking food in the microwave, to someone walking between the PC wifi antenna and the wireless router. add to that storm conditions, solar flares, black magic and bad juju and sometimes you have to realise we should be thankful it works as well as it does!

[History658]

Ah, thanks, I see. I guess I’ll just have to live with it then. I suppose the only way around this would be to use a wired connection?

[veeg]

Yes a wired connection would be your best bet..

[Bruce]

obviously wireless is quick and easy, hence it’s popularity.

but if there is ever a choice between wired and wireless, I always go wired.
wireless is convenient but can be high maintenance, wired usually involves more setup but once done can be forgotten about.

[History658]

Thanks for the replies. WIll at least consider whether wired might not work in my case.