Wifi adapter not working

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JJJasonM

JJJasonM

PCHF Member
Jan 12, 2021
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I bought a USB wifi adapter because I can't run an ethernet cable up to my room and it's cheaper than buying a wifi card. Everything's been fine up until recently where my internet cuts out every 3 minutes and 5 seconds on the dot. As this wasn't a problem before, I thought it was a problem with the adapter so I replaced it but it didn't change anything. I then assumed it was a problem with my pc so I went through all of the fixes online and nothing helped. I finally reset my computer completely which stopped the cutouts for a week or so but now it's right back to it.

Apparently, there are similar problems with USB wifi adapters doing the same thing. Restarting my pc and disconnecting the adapter works sometimes but not always. Is there any better or permanent fixes to this problem or will I have to deal with it or buy a proper wifi card?
 
Have you tried different ports some have issues using USB 3x

What security software are you using

Yes USB WiFi are not always stable and do not carry the range that internal ones do.

Are you connecting to 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz

Distance and barrier types from the computer to the Wireless transmitter.

You can also get the extenders that plug into the wall sockets for Ethernet and/or wireless that may help.

Have you changed the channel that they Wireless is transmitting on. If there are other WiFi signals in the area on the same channel they can over run yours.
 
Rustys said:
Have you tried different ports some have issues using USB 3x
Click to expand...
I've tried every USB port
Rustys said:
What security software are you using
Click to expand...
Just windows defender
Rustys said:
Yes USB WiFi are not always stable and do not carry the range that internal ones do.

Are you connecting to 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz
Click to expand...
I've tried both
Rustys said:
Distance and barrier types from the computer to the Wireless transmitter.
Click to expand...
Pretty small house, the router is across the room below me. I have no problem with my laptop or my phone in the same exact spot.
Rustys said:
You can also get the extenders that plug into the wall sockets for Ethernet and/or wireless that may help.

Have you changed the channel that they Wireless is transmitting on. If there are other WiFi signals in the area on the same channel they can over run yours!
Click to expand...
I don't think my ISP lets me change it off of automatic
 
What version of windows

You could also just have a crappy WiFi adapter and once it gets warm it stops working.

On thing to check and try may not be the cause.
If windows 10 check to make sure that the metered is not turned on.
Settings
Network
On the left click Propertied Button
Scroll down and turn off Metered

Make and model of the modem and or router which is supplying the wireless signal.

Have you rebooted the source of the WiFi

Use this command to show you the WiFi signals that are close by. It will also tell you the signal strength and Channel they are using.
netsh wlan show networks mode=bssid

Make and model of the USB WiFi adapter

Here are a couple of links that can be used for some reference and information
www.lifewire.com

The Best USB Wi-Fi Adapters of 2024

USB Wi-Fi adapters should be compact, fast, and have a large range. We tested to find the best models that will help you stay connected wherever you go.
www.lifewire.com www.lifewire.com
www.tomshardware.com

USB Wi-Fi Adapter 101

Learn the basics of USB Wi-Fi adapters, how the underlying technology works, and what to consider before you make a purchase.
www.tomshardware.com www.tomshardware.com
 
Rustys said:
What version of windows

You could also just have a crappy WiFi adapter and once it gets warm it stops working.

On thing to check and try may not be the cause.
If windows 10 check to make sure that the metered is not turned on.
Settings
Network
On the left click Propertied Button
Scroll down and turn off Metered

Make and model of the modem and or router which is supplying the wireless signal.

Have you rebooted the source of the WiFi

Use this command to show you the WiFi signals that are close by. It will also tell you the signal strength and Channel they are using.
netsh wlan show networks mode=bssid

Make and model of the USB WiFi adapter

Here are a couple of links that can be used for some reference and information
www.lifewire.com

The Best USB Wi-Fi Adapters of 2024

USB Wi-Fi adapters should be compact, fast, and have a large range. We tested to find the best models that will help you stay connected wherever you go.
www.lifewire.com www.lifewire.com
www.tomshardware.com

USB Wi-Fi Adapter 101

Learn the basics of USB Wi-Fi adapters, how the underlying technology works, and what to consider before you make a purchase.
www.tomshardware.com www.tomshardware.com
Click to expand...

I'm on windows 10.

WiFi Adapter for PC Gaming 1300Mbps, USB 3.0 Wireless Adapter Dual Band 5GHz 802.11AC Wifi Dongle 5dBi Antenna Support Desktop Laptop Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11 Mac 10.6-10.15 : Amazon.ca: Electronics

WiFi Adapter for PC Gaming 1300Mbps, USB 3.0 Wireless Adapter Dual Band 5GHz 802.11AC Wifi Dongle 5dBi Antenna Support Desktop Laptop Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11 Mac 10.6-10.15 : Amazon.ca: Electronics
www.amazon.ca
This is my adapter, but I don't think it's an overheating problem because the problem starts right when I boot.

Metered connection is off, I have the Bell Home Hub 3000 but this is only a problem on my computer so I doubt it's a problem with the internet itself.

I've rebooted the Router but the problem still persists.

There's only 1 nearby wifi signal and it's at 80% steady
 
Rustys said:
Are you loosing connection to the network or to the internet?
What was changed with the system when this started?
Click to expand...
It started doing this around half a year ago once every month or so, until about a couple of months ago when it started happening every day. I tried everything and finally completely reset everything which stopped the problem for a week or two, now it's back to everyday. The only thing I can think of is a hardware problem with maybe my motherboard.

The internet connection in the bottom left doesn't disconnect but everything goes to 0 when looking at graphs.
 
Have you tried browsing?
Can you access the Bell Home Hub 3000 at all?
JJJasonM said:
The only thing I can think of is a hardware problem with maybe my motherboard.
Click to expand...
Maybe do the USB ports work with other devices with out issue?
JJJasonM said:
The internet connection in the bottom left doesn't disconnect but everything goes to 0 when looking at graphs.
Click to expand...
What graph post a screen shot if possible.

A picture is worth a trillion words some times.
 
Rustys said:
Have you tried browsing?
Can you access the Bell Home Hub 3000 at all?

Maybe do the USB ports work with other devices with out issue?

What graph post a screen shot if possible.

A picture is worth a trillion words some times.
Click to expand...
I'll try and find a way to make it use the adapter on my laptop and I'll send a picture when it begins to act up again
 
Rustys said:
Do you have any new information for us.
Click to expand...
The problem hasn't been happening for a while but has just begun again.

1611423901681.png


Restarting my router worked when I tried it but I'm not exactly sure that's what fixed it.
Internet was also cutting out on my laptop in the exact same way when I tried it I changed back into the built-in wifi card and it was fine.

I guess I managed to buy 2 faulty wifi adapters. I'll just buy an in system wifi card unless you can think of anything else.
 
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