Intermittent internet connection issue with WiFi - How do I fix?

mikemagill · 28 Sep 2019

I have a Dell laptop connected by wifi to a Deco M5 mesh wifi box that is plugged into a VirginMedia router. Nothing has changed in my setup recently but I am not getting regular but intermittent occurrences where my laptop is still showing as connected to the wifi but cannot connect to the internet.

I initially used to reboot the laptop to solve the connection issue but more recently have gone into the 'Network and Sharing Centre', selected my wifi network, clicked on 'Diagnose' and it has fixed the problem. Today it has happened twice so far. The first time it said 'Wifi doesn't have a valid IP configuration' and the second time it said, 'The default gateway is not available'. I have also rebooted the Wifi and the Router but the problem persists.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Caledon Ken · 28 Sep 2019

Hi mikemagill. Welcome to the Tenforums @mikemagill

You didn't mention what type of wireless adapter you are using in Dell. I'm find some of the older adapters are having issues with the newer drivers. If you find your adapter in device manager, right click properties, details tab, in the property box load Install Date.

If it the date coincides with an increase in failures I might suspect the driver. You could try loading an older driver and testing. Of course you would have to tell windows to stop updating drivers.

Option 2 this tutorial.

Enable or Disable Driver Updates in Windows Update in Windows 10

If your Virgin router also has Wifi on I think I would disable and just go with your Mesh router.

Have you checked if the Mesh router has firmware updates available?

I would also shut off Windows ability to shut off the Wireless adapter in device to save power. Device manager, find adapter, right click, properties, Power management tab, uncheck box.

Not sure if laptop is dual band, if so do you get these drops if you use the 2.4GHZ band. (rather than 5 Ghz band)

As our wireless can be impacted by our neighbours have you looked at the channels being used and are there any interfering broadcasts present from a neighbour. (Thinking maybe they bought a new router to help with their reception)

This free tool while older will allow you to see networks and channels.

inSSIDer 3.1.2.1 Download - TechSpot

Ken

mikemagill · 28 Sep 2019

Thanks for the guidance. It appears the driver hasn't been updated for over a year but I have found and installed a more recent driver. I'll post back if the problem persists.