Acer Spin 311 CP311-2H won't stay online

The Spin CP311-2H (model #N17Q8) Chromebook I bought for my middle-schooler at the beginning of the 2020 school year has become useless after just over a year (just outside the warranty period!), due to continually dropping its wireless network connection, and refusing to reconnect (not recognizing any networks). Presumably there is something wrong with the network card, but when I brought it in to a repair shop, I was informed that the network card in this unit is soldered in, and therefore not replaceable. We tried to get it to recognize a USB wireless antenna, but it would not. I thought I would try plugging it in to an ethernet cable, but there is no ethernet port. Does anyone have any suggestions? Right now, it is a VERY expensive paperweight (purchased end of summer 2020, when laptops were scarce). Thank you!!

Accepted answers

1casey

Thank you all! So far, it looks like updating the OS did the trick. Fingers crossed. I seriously appreciate all of this advice. Happy Thanksgiving, all.

All comments

billsey

Which version of the ChromeOS is installed? Google seems to have issues with WiFi in some builds.

1casey

billsey said:

Which version of the ChromeOS is installed? Google seems to have issues with WiFi in some builds.

Thanks, Billsey. We seem to have Version 94.0.4606.114 ("official build", 64-bit).

1casey

Just in case it helps, if I can get online, I am going to check for updates.

1casey

FYI, I did manage to get online, and now have Version 94.0.4606.124. We'll see if that helps.

Athwart

If the driver upgrade doesn't help or as just an interim fix, you can get an ethernet to USB connector or a USB hub that includes an ethernet connection. I have the latter which has 1x ethernet + 3x USB in and 1x USB out to connect to the laptop. It works a treat and was pretty inexpensive.

billsey

Be aware that some of those aren't supported with a Chromebook, they seem to have only done drivers for the most popular chips...

1casey

Thank you all! So far, it looks like updating the OS did the trick. Fingers crossed. I seriously appreciate all of this advice. Happy Thanksgiving, all.

1casey

The OS update seemed to work for a while, but now we are having the same problem again. Hmph. I wonder if the USB to ethernet connector would work. The machine would not recognize the USB wireless antenna that we tried.

dbvann

Having the same issue. Upgrading to Chrome Version 94.0.4606.124 (Official Build) (64-bit) to see if it helps. It's especially fussy when I attempt both bluetooth and wireless at the same time.

1casey

We have not tried the USB to Ethernet adaptor idea yet, but I am skeptical since the machine would not recognize a USB wireless antenna. So, does anyone have any other recommendations? Would anyone ever buy another one of these machines? I am not impressed with basically one year of service, and then I have to figure out how to dispose of all this plastic and electronics **** because it's junk...

KellySJacobs

I have the same issue…my network drops constantly. It started happening following an update. I haven't received any suggestions that have worked yet. Open to ideas.