Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4A Wireless Network Adapter Drops Constantly and Disappears - Windows 10

msbree

I just received a brand new Acer Spin SP314-53N a few days ago, and have spent countless hours troubleshooting the QCA61x4A network adapter!  I've been offline more than online, and had already started the return procedure last night, but decided to give it one more shot by posting here and hopefully someone can give me a solid fix.  I've never dealt with such nonsense with any PC or laptop I've ever owned.

The Wifi drops constantly, and the only way to get the laptop back online is to reboot my router.  This is unacceptable.  The first time this happened, I spent hours trying to fix this, to no avail. I spent countless hours going through this community and sadly discovered this issue is common.  WHY is this even an issue?  My internet is Verizon FIOS Gigabit and have never had any issues with my internet on any of the devices connected to this router.

Windows is up-to-date...somehow I managed to get them all done before Wifi dropped.

When the connection drops, I click on "Network & Internet Settings" and the ONLY option that shows is "Airplane Mode", all other networks do not show.  

So I click on the Troubleshooter and message I get is: "Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter.  Windows did not detect a properly installed network adapter.  If you have a network adapter, the drivers for the adapter may not be installed correctly. Install a driver for your network adapter".

Off I go into Device Manager, Network Adapters and the Qualcomm QCA61x4A doesn't even show.  In Device Manager, I need to click on "View" then "Show hidden devices", and then the adapter magically appears, but kinda greyed out.  

I right-click to update the Qualcomm driver, and I get "The best drivers for your device are already installed".

So off I got to my model's support page (https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support-product/7994?b=1&pn=NX.HFCAA.001) on my desktop, because I have no internet on the laptop, to see if there is an updated driver for the Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4A Wireless Adapter.  I expand "Drivers" on this page, and I don't even see the Qualcomm wireless adapter, only 2 Bluetooth drivers and 2 Wireless LAN drivers, but NO driver for the Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4A Wireless Network Adapter.  Seriously?

I supposed if I could find and download the appropriate driver from either Acer's site or Qualcomm's site, I'd have to do it on my desktop and pop it on a flash drive, as the laptop does not have an ethernet port.  BUT I have no idea how to install the driver from the flash drive.

I believe I've followed all of the suggestions in this community forum to fix this problem, including and up to uninstalling this device, then restarting the laptop and Windows should automatically detect the wireless adapter and install it.  But this is not the case.  Windows is not detecting this adapter, so right now, there is nothing in Device Manager to even show there's a Wifi adapter on this laptop.  The ONLY way to get this back is to do a factory reset because a System Restore did not work.

I am at wits end and ready to factory-reset this laptop and send it back.  I am so hoping someone can give me a solid fix for this quickly.  I really love this laptop, but what good is it without an internet connection?

msbree

billsey said:

Sounds like the adapter card itself is wonky, you could reseat it to see if that helps, but at this point I believe it best for you to go the warranty route. If it's been a short enough time you can likely just swap it out with your vendor, if it's been longer just contact Acer support and they'll get it fixed for you.

Hey....thanks so much!  I had a feeling there might be something off with the adapter card, just wanted to make sure!  Thanks for confirming my suspicions!  👍

billsey

Sounds like the adapter card itself is wonky, you could reseat it to see if that helps, but at this point I believe it best for you to go the warranty route. If it's been a short enough time you can likely just swap it out with your vendor, if it's been longer just contact Acer support and they'll get it fixed for you.

msbree

billsey said:

Sounds like the adapter card itself is wonky, you could reseat it to see if that helps, but at this point I believe it best for you to go the warranty route. If it's been a short enough time you can likely just swap it out with your vendor, if it's been longer just contact Acer support and they'll get it fixed for you.

Hey....thanks so much!  I had a feeling there might be something off with the adapter card, just wanted to make sure!  Thanks for confirming my suspicions!  👍

rohithkaza

I am facing exactly the same problem, but my driver is "Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless- AC 7265". Did you got any solution for this problem. I am happy because at least it allows me to ask you a question. Please help me. Waiting for your reply

msbree

rohithkaza said:

I am facing exactly the same problem, but my driver is "Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless- AC 7265". Did you got any solution for this problem. I am happy because at least it allows me to ask you a question. Please help me. Waiting for your reply

Sadly, I did not solve this issue and ended up sending it back!  😞 Good luck and hope you can solve this cause it really is a nice laptop!

billsey

@rohithkaza you should start your own thread for this, you have a different problem since you are using a different wireless card.