Aspire C27-962 WiFi network adapter vanished *poof*

gavmad

I have an Aspire C27-962, upgraded from Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Pro. A few months ago I got on the computer as I do every other morning but this time I couldn’t get online. Troubleshooter didn’t help. WiFi networks weren’t even showing as available connections. No WiFi network adapter appeared in Network Adapters. Eventually I became too frustrated so I bought a USB WiFi adapter at Best Buy. That remedied the issue—the computer connected to WiFi via the USB adapter no problem. I quickly forgot about this issue as the USB WiFi adapter connected flawlessly and maintained a strong connection. Well, wouldn’t you know it, about a week ago I could not get online. No available network. No network adapter for the USB WiFi adapter. Totally disappeared just like the original.

I have searched online for a solution. So far nothing has worked.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks for the help!

[Edited the thread to add model name to the title]

leonaip

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/679878/wifi-network-adapter-vanished-poof

downgrade to the original operating that came with your laptop which Windows 10

you can rollback the OS update (from Windows 11 to Windows 10) if it was done via Windows update

you can opt to have a System Restore or reset to factory image

try to update all the drivers using Windows update or use IObit Driver Booster/Driver Easy/Driver Talent (use LAN cable since you cannot connect wirelessly)

gavmad

Thanks for the suggestion. Should I downgrade to Windows 10 even if the issue did not coincide with upgrading to Windows 11? There must have been a year or 2 between going from 10 to 11 and this issue with the WiFi.

billsey

Show us a picture of Device Manager. Is there any error or warning shown?

leonaip

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1182431#Comment_1182431

you're welcome @gavmad

try to downgrade to see if the issue will be fixed.

gavmad

@billsey here’s a screenshot of Device Manager:

This is with “show hidden devices” selected. The 3 hidden Wi-Fi network adapters all have the same Device Status in Properties:

Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer. (Code 45)

To fix this problem, reconnect this hardware device to the computer.

billsey

WiFi on the C27-962 models is on an M.2 card. If you have an unknown device lower in the list in Device Manager it might just be a driver issue. If there's nothing in the bottom half of the Device Manager list it might be the card has failed, or the USB host controller needed to be reset with a driver reinstall.