ACER swift 5 SF514-54GT-78Y7 not able to connect to internet (and Bluetooth)!

Hi all,

I bought an ACER swift 5 SF514-54GT-78Y7 which I bought in Nov 2020 and since then on and off it is giving me problems.

The latest is this connectivity issues to wifi and Bluetooth. Out of the sudden, I just couldn’t connect to internet anymore because “no internet access, no connections available” - the globe sign. The wifi option and icon (and Bluetooth) has also totally disappeared!

Throughout the process, I have tried many methods (after browsing through for solutions), such as going to device manager to delete and reinstall driver, reset my internet connection, reboot/reset my laptop, etc. Suddenly it works again (which during this “on” time, I have updated and installed all the necessary windows update and intel updates from the intel website too).

Then suddenly it cannot work again. I really don’t know what the problem is. Help!!

first photo: no icons of the wireless and Bluetooth at all!

second photo of device manager - no Bluetooth and wifi network adapter (despite me updated from the latest install from intel

Accepted answers

All comments

Ovaltine

https://itechhacks.com/acer-laptop-not-connecting-to-wifi/

I have tried all these methods too and they all don’t work (or work transiently)..

Commodore_1995#

Can you tell the idhardware of this device?

Ovaltine

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1182416#Comment_1182416

Nope. I have no idea what this is.

It used to be this Wifi driver (Intel AX201) which shows a triangular icon with, and now it became the “network controller” thing.

I was reading through the thread and my issue is pretty similar to this.

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/643677/wifi-does-not-work-after-windows-update-on-acer-swift-5

Commodore_1995#

I refer to idhardware:

When you click on this problem driver does it show any error code?

Ovaltine

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1182428#Comment_1182428

Nope, this is what was shown.

Puraw

Hi @Ovaltine

Your Swift 5 comes with the Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX211 adapter that has 5.3 Blue Tooth build-in but this is not listed in your Device Manager. If I look at my a515-54G device list it shows:

Network adapter.jpg

So either the drivers for Intel Wi-Fi 6E were uninstalled or got corrupted, you have to restore your system to an earlier point ("Create a Restore point" in Windows) or do a “reset this computer” in “Recovery” without losing your files. Once you are online again you can check your Wi-Fi 6E drivers on Acer's support page and download the latest version, also uninstall and delete that unknown Network Controller on your device list.

leonaip

try to connect to LAN cable

update drivers using IObit Driver Booster, Driver Easy or Driver Talent

Ovaltine

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1182587#Comment_1182587

thanks @Puraw

at one point, there was this error.

I had the Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz adapter but it has the triangle exclamation sign and said it was not working properly.

I have no choice but to uninstall it and let the computer reinstall it again but it still doesn't work.

Once in a while, it worked transiently, then stopped working again. This time round, the whole adapter disappeared and this strange “network controller” appeared.

Ovaltine

thanks @leonaip

I dun have the external adaptor for LAN cable though.
there was a time somehow I manage to use my phone as the “Ethernet” and it works transiently ..

billsey

In Device Manager; Properties; Details tab you need to change the pull down menu from Device Description to Hardware IDs in order to get the correct IDs to determine if the AX201 is actually what's installed. Likely it is, since that's what came up before. If it is then the problem is probably that the card has gone bad or is going bad and should be replaced. If so, you can either put another AX201 (WiFi 6) in or go with an AX211 (WiFi 6E). You can't use an AX200 or AX210, they use a different protocol over the M.2 bus.

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1182635#Comment_1182635

Yes that is what I thought, your Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz adapter is gone and your model does not have a wired network adapter so the only way out for you is to Reset your Computer (type "Recovery" in the Search box, task bar and go to Advanced Options), or turn in your laptop to an Acer Service point to install the Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz adapter driver (there may be a small service charge).

Ovaltine

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1182722#Comment_1182722

thanks @billsey

When u said the card has gone bad or going bad, does this mean the physical card to the motherboard inside the laptop?

If it is, that means I have to change this card at the service Centre right?

I will try to reset the computer first (like what @Puraw suggested, thanks!) to see if it works. Though I have reset it once before, it worked for a while then it stopped working again..

Puraw

Hi @Ovaltine

Your Intel WIFI adapter is a separate module, loose from the motherboard. Try to Reset your laptop and download immediately the correct WIFI adapter driver for your laptop model only from Acer's Support website (not from Intel's website or anywhere else) before Windows11 deletes it again. I don't think this is hardware related but an Intel driver compatibility issue with W11. Let me know if the installation of that driver is blocked by W11.😉