Wifi & Bluetooth not working on Windows 10 (ACER MODEL -aspire M3-581TG)

SidGupta

Hi Team,

I have an Aspire M3-581TG and I recently visited an Acer Auth Service Center as I was facing issues with my laptop.

The technician fixed the product issues and advised for Windows10; I went ahead with a format and clean install of Windows10, prior to this I was using Win7 (even activated windows10 with a MS provided license key). 

Post installation, my wifi was working and bluetooth wasn’t working; I got in touch with the service center, he opened the laptop, removed and plugged the wifi&bluetooth combo-chip back in, post this my wifi & bluetooth both have stopped working. 

Though the Atheros chip can be seen under device manager - I am unable to turn on neither Wifi nor Bluetooth. Urgent help is needed as I do not have anyother laptop, and my work is stuck. 

I tried multiple things -
1) Uninstalling device and installing with latest drivers by MS (Windows Update)
2) Uninstalling device and installing with latest drivers by Acer (windows 8 drivers available with acer) 
3) Changing adapter settings as well.
4) Tried DriverEasy as well.

but unfortunately none of the solution works! 

I am attaching a few snapshots below-
1> Wifi is turned off, unable to turn it on. 
2> Device Manager that recognizes the hardware.
3> Windows mobility manager does not show wireless or Bluetooth.
4> Adapter settings snapshot - Ethernet is working but wireless shows "Not Connected" even after being enabled.

Wireless + Bluetooth is a combo chip - Qualcomm Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter.

aphanic

The thing is, if there is no device being detected in the Device Manager it is the same as if it weren't connected. From the screenshots you posted I see Windows recognizing the WiFi part of that combo card, but just that, not the Bluetooth side.

Although it is a combo card, and it is plugged in a single socket, internally it is wired differently. The wireless part goes through a PCIe bus and the Bluetooth part goes through a USB bus.

Unfortunately, the reference you posted doesn't ID the Bluetooth module in the combo card, there have to be other markings in the card (take a pic of its label if it's easy for you to access, I see in Google Images some combo cards using the same AR5B22 WiFi chip with QCNFA222 naming for example, yours could be one); but it seems that the card is damaged somewhat and in need of replacement (hopefully, otherwise things get more expensive).

I know it's a hassle to visit the servicing center again, but they guys in there should be able to sort that out. For example by placing a different card inside to assess whether the problem lies with the laptop or the chip, but there's little we can do via software if the Bluetooth module is not even present.