Cannot get Qualcomm Atheros Wireless LAN Adapter Driver to quit re-installing!

Little did I know that you need to pay attention to what wireless adapter comes in your laptop computer. I have had nothing but issues with the Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4A Wireless Network Adapter. It is garbage with constant disconnects for no reason from day one (I have had my laptop since middle of December last year). After researching my issue I saw that there have been these same issues going back to 2012...yes I said 2012! Why does ACER still use this company's products??? They are garbage!!!

So I ponied up and purchased an External USB 3.0 wireless adapter...link here ( https://www.newegg.com/alfa-network-inc-awus1900-usb-3-0/p/0XM-000A-00036?Item=9SIA8UD5RV7404 ) to get rid of the problem nice and painless. Well it is not painless and it is frustrating as hell!! I have tried 2 drivers to help with the constant wireless disconnects...the manufacturer's and Microsoft also had a compatible driver for the Qualcomm Wireless Adapter. Nope no tango. Still a pain in the butt!!! Constant dropping of the wireless signal. The new external wireless adapter works great but here is the issue...I cannot get the crappy Qualcomm wireless adapter drivers from reinstalling every time I reboot my laptop. I disabled and uninstalled it in Windows Device Manager (Win10 Home) I have also Disabled Windows Update and the Atheros Service but it keeps coming back like a bad rash. So frustrating!!!

What do I have to do to stop this horrible wireless network adapter form reinstalling??? I disabled the 2 Services above but there must be more. Going through the Services there is at least 10 more that deal, or sound like they deal, with networking. How in the heck am I supposed to stop this component driver from coming back???

Any help is appreciated because I have no idea. And I have dealt with this problem for far too long. Am I gonna have to send my laptop back to get a different wireless adapter installed? (I don't want the same part that is for sure. It is defective before even being installed!!!) Disappointing to say the least!

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JackE

(1) Open ControlPanel. Search 'button'. Click 'change what the power buttons do'. Click 'change settings that are currently unavailable'. Scroll and uncheck box for fast startup.

(2) Open DeviceManager. Click 'network adapters' folder. Right click 'qualcomm wifi' adapter. Click 'disable'.

(3) Shutdown Windows. Reboot.

(4) Qualcomm should stay disabled.

However, if you ever want to try to use the Qualcomm again, there is an advanced band setting that should make the adapter more compatible with whichever router you're using. Routers can be picky too.

Jack E/NJ

William_mk2

@reddog000

Hi,

You have used the device manager to 1) uninstall the adapter, 2) disable the adapter, 3) removed the driver. And that will do the trick for the moment, that is until you re-boot the machine. Then the wireless network adapter is re-enabled.

How to permanently disable the wireless adapter.

In Administrative Tools, Services

The WLAN AutoConfig service must be enabled.

Then go do device manager and disable the network adapter.

Go back to the WLAN Autoconfig and "stop" and "disable" that service.

the wireless adapter is permanently disabled.

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reddog000

Hi there JackE,

I go to where you said "Change the settings that are currently unavailable" but I do not have the "Fast Start" option just a "Sleep" and "Lock" checkboxes. I believe it is auto disabled because of the Nvme SSD I have. Prefetch and all that stuff is disabled because you just don't need it with an Nvme SSD. Only thing that is enabled is the "TRIM" function. Indexing Service, Superprefetch, Prefetch, Hibernation, Auto Defrag and Boot-Time Defrag are all disabled. All things that old spinning HDD's needed. Gonna try out mohan2018's solution now and see what happens. Be right back. Thanks for your help anyways...very much appreciated!

reddog000

Unfortunately mohan2018 I could not even find my network once I disabled WLAN Auto Config. Guess it looks like I have to disable and unistall it every time I reboot. GRRRR.

JackE

reddog000

OK. Better tell us the full ACER model number along with the original factory-installed Windows version. Jack E/NJ

reddog000

Okies JackE ty for helping by the way....

Link to exact product purchased https://www.newegg.com/obsidian-black-acer-aspire-7-a717-72g-700j-gaming-entertainment/p/N82E16834316435?Item=N82E16834316435
Windows 10 Home
All I have done is upgrade the Nvme SSD to a ADATA 1TB SSD Link to exact item https://www.newegg.com/xpg-sx8200-pro-1tb/p/0D9-0017-000W4?Item=9SIAFVF8SS6581

and 32GB of memory Link to exact item https://www.newegg.com/ballistix-32gb-260-pin-ddr4-so-dimm/p/N82E16820164057?Item=N82E16820164057

JackE

(1) Go to the elevated command prompt. Enter 'powercfg /hibernate on'. Exit command prompt.

(2) Open ControlPanel again. Search 'button'. Click 'change what the power buttons do'. Click 'change settings that are currently unavailable'. Scroll and uncheck box for fast startup. It should be there this time. If not report back.

(3) Open DeviceManager again. Click 'network adapters' folder. Uninstall both wifi and wired adapters. Don't re-install anything. Exit.

(4) Shutdown Windows. Turn it back on for slow cold boot.

(5) Let Windows auto re-detect and re-install what it wants.

(6) If you get this far, then we probably have to tweakthe advanced wifi adapter settings to suit your router.

Jack E/NJ

reddog000

I have to go wife in hospital JackE. I will give this a try when I get back (who knows when). Thanks so much for the help!

JackE

Hope whatever's happening goes well. I'll stay tuned. Jack E/NJ

William_mk2

reddog000

Hi,

These info might be useful for you...

Ways to Disable wifi.

1. This is a very simple solution.

Press the windows key and letter r

on the run window - type ncpa.cpl

On the network connections window

It may show you like this

ethernet - network cable unplugged ( may be realtek, atheros )

Bluetooth - disconnected

wifi 1 - network 5 or not connected - Quallcomm ( This might be for your onboard wifi )

wifi 2 - network 6 or not connected - intel ( This may be for your external usb wifi adapter )

Simply right click on wifi1 - click on disable ( To disable your onboard wifi )

Right click on wifi2 - connect

It will show you the list of networks

Simply try to connect to wifi and start using the internet using the external usb wifi adapter.

Step 2

Turn off your computer. Turn on the computer and tap f2. It will go to Bios.

Do you have something like Advanced in your BIOS? Then maybe Onboard Devices Configuration? Onboard WLAN?

Look in all of the menus and sub-menus. It should be in there.

You can disable it.

Step 3

If there's no BIOS option, if you're looking to permanently disable the supplied wireless-N on your computer it would be quicker removing the back panel, disconnecting the aerial white and black cables, unscrewing and removing the WiFi card.

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reddog000

Hello JackE and mohan2018,

First of all the wife is okay. She needs surgery but she will be okay. I have been contacted by an Acer Support Specialist by phone. He is going to see if he can help me with all the issues I have.

Thank you both for your time and concern....much appreciated!

JackE

OK good. Please let us know of the results. Jack E/NJ

reddog000

You know what JackE. You are one amazing person. Do not let anyone tell you different! I will keep this email in my InBox so I can keep you informed...and remember you are an outstanding individual. Too bad there are not more like you found nowadays. Very rare! {8^)

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