New Swift 5 Wifi Adapter Not Recognizing networks; Error Msg says Hardware/Driver Issue

Hello all. I just purchased an Acer Swift 5 SF514-54T-53VX (Switzerland Keyboard, 8GB/256GB SSD) with WiFi 6 adapter. When first setting it up it recognized my local network and allowed me to login to it. Then it stopped working and would not find any wifi networks. I ran the Windows 10 (Home) network/internet troubleshooting and got this error message: "The Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz adapter is experiencing driver- or hardware-related problems. Not Fixed"

What I tried so far: I went into Managing Devices and saw this: "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)" So, I uninstalled the adapter, then clicked on the "Scan for Hardware Changes" icon to that it would reload the driver and reinstall the adapter. That worked and I got the adapter working again...but only for a few minutes, then it again stopped and found no networks. I am at a loss.

An additional problem: I tried to report this problem directly to Acer support online and it first asked for my SNID and tried to validate it. The automated response was something like "The product with this serial number is out of warranty." I have the option of scanning my receipt and waiting for a few days while they sort this out and let me finally report my problem. I have to say that this initial experience as a new Acer customer is highly concerning! I bought this laptop two days ago. Did my 2 year warranty expire on the way home from the computer store? :-(

Help!

Accepted answers

JackE

>>> I bought this laptop two days ago. >>>

To help rule in or rule out a hardware issue, do an ALT+F10 cold boot factory reset as shown in the video below. Then open ControlPanel and search for 'restore point'. In the left pane click 'create a restore point'. Then make sure system protection is enabled in the properties box. If the issue re-appears, check for an automatic restore point created by an update that could be the problem. If none, then immediately return the machine to the vendor as defective for a refund or exchange before the vendor's returns policy period expires --- usually only a few weeks.. ACER warranty service will take longer. Jack E/NJ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpzLJRAZldA

All comments

JackE

>>> I bought this laptop two days ago. >>>

To help rule in or rule out a hardware issue, do an ALT+F10 cold boot factory reset as shown in the video below. Then open ControlPanel and search for 'restore point'. In the left pane click 'create a restore point'. Then make sure system protection is enabled in the properties box. If the issue re-appears, check for an automatic restore point created by an update that could be the problem. If none, then immediately return the machine to the vendor as defective for a refund or exchange before the vendor's returns policy period expires --- usually only a few weeks.. ACER warranty service will take longer. Jack E/NJ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpzLJRAZldA

SwissBob

Thanks, JackE. This was helpful. It was indeed a hardware error and I returned the unit for a refund. I am currently rethinking my laptop options and will repurchase something in the new year.

Flexor

SwissBob said:

Hello all. I just purchased an Acer Swift 5 SF514-54T-53VX (Switzerland Keyboard, 8GB/256GB SSD) with WiFi 6 adapter. When first setting it up it recognized my local network and allowed me to login to it. Then it stopped working and would not find any wifi networks. I ran the Windows 10 (Home) network/internet troubleshooting and got this error message: "The Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz adapter is experiencing driver- or hardware-related problems. Not Fixed"

What I tried so far: I went into Managing Devices and saw this: "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)" So, I uninstalled the adapter, then clicked on the "Scan for Hardware Changes" icon to that it would reload the driver and reinstall the adapter. That worked and I got the adapter working again...but only for a few minutes, then it again stopped and found no networks. I am at a loss.

An additional problem: I tried to report this problem directly to Acer support online and it first asked for my SNID and tried to validate it. The automated response was something like "The product with this serial number is out of warranty." I have the option of scanning my receipt and waiting for a few days while they sort this out and let me finally report my problem. I have to say that this initial experience as a new Acer customer is highly concerning! I bought this laptop two days ago. Did my 2 year warranty expire on the way home from the computer store? :-(

Help!

This looks like exactly the same problem I'm having with my Swift 5 SF514-54GT. Note that this issue happened immediately, as soon as I booted up the laptop for the first time!
I think it's some problem with the Intel chipset, probably related to the issues that are also coming up with the new Microsoft Surface laptops using the same chipset...

SwissBob

Flexor said:

SwissBob said:

Hello all. I just purchased an Acer Swift 5 SF514-54T-53VX (Switzerland Keyboard, 8GB/256GB SSD) with WiFi 6 adapter. When first setting it up it recognized my local network and allowed me to login to it. Then it stopped working and would not find any wifi networks. I ran the Windows 10 (Home) network/internet troubleshooting and got this error message: "The Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz adapter is experiencing driver- or hardware-related problems. Not Fixed"

What I tried so far: I went into Managing Devices and saw this: "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)" So, I uninstalled the adapter, then clicked on the "Scan for Hardware Changes" icon to that it would reload the driver and reinstall the adapter. That worked and I got the adapter working again...but only for a few minutes, then it again stopped and found no networks. I am at a loss.

An additional problem: I tried to report this problem directly to Acer support online and it first asked for my SNID and tried to validate it. The automated response was something like "The product with this serial number is out of warranty." I have the option of scanning my receipt and waiting for a few days while they sort this out and let me finally report my problem. I have to say that this initial experience as a new Acer customer is highly concerning! I bought this laptop two days ago. Did my 2 year warranty expire on the way home from the computer store? :-(

Help!

This looks like exactly the same problem I'm having with my Swift 5 SF514-54GT. Note that this issue happened immediately, as soon as I booted up the laptop for the first time!
I think it's some problem with the Intel chipset, probably related to the issues that are also coming up with the new Microsoft Surface laptops using the same chipset...

Thanks, Flexor! I just ordered a Surface Pro 7 and am crossing my fingers that the problem won't appear with it also.

Flexor

SwissBob said:

Flexor said:

SwissBob said:

Hello all. I just purchased an Acer Swift 5 SF514-54T-53VX (Switzerland Keyboard, 8GB/256GB SSD) with WiFi 6 adapter. When first setting it up it recognized my local network and allowed me to login to it. Then it stopped working and would not find any wifi networks. I ran the Windows 10 (Home) network/internet troubleshooting and got this error message: "The Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz adapter is experiencing driver- or hardware-related problems. Not Fixed"

What I tried so far: I went into Managing Devices and saw this: "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)" So, I uninstalled the adapter, then clicked on the "Scan for Hardware Changes" icon to that it would reload the driver and reinstall the adapter. That worked and I got the adapter working again...but only for a few minutes, then it again stopped and found no networks. I am at a loss.

An additional problem: I tried to report this problem directly to Acer support online and it first asked for my SNID and tried to validate it. The automated response was something like "The product with this serial number is out of warranty." I have the option of scanning my receipt and waiting for a few days while they sort this out and let me finally report my problem. I have to say that this initial experience as a new Acer customer is highly concerning! I bought this laptop two days ago. Did my 2 year warranty expire on the way home from the computer store? :-(

Help!

This looks like exactly the same problem I'm having with my Swift 5 SF514-54GT. Note that this issue happened immediately, as soon as I booted up the laptop for the first time!
I think it's some problem with the Intel chipset, probably related to the issues that are also coming up with the new Microsoft Surface laptops using the same chipset...

Thanks, Flexor! I just ordered a Surface Pro 7 and am crossing my fingers that the problem won't appear with it also.