Teacher with No/Intermittent Internet Access

Rebooted and service connection has not improved. Still intermittent with frequent drops.

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I did not see your edit. V1909 is a Windows 10 update? How do I know when I started using it?

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I did not see your edit. V1909 is a Windows 10 update? How do I know when I started using it?

Version 1909 Successfully installed on ‎3/‎14/‎2020
No Driver updates since October last year. (Last one "HP HIDClass")
I uninstalled all of the WAN drivers from Device Manager
Checked for driver updates for AC 7260, says the best driver is installed.
Not sure about how to restrict bands in the wireless card, but this is what I see under "advanced" in card properties. Should I possibly install an older driver for the card?
Also it is possible the problems are connected to updating to V1909. Was updated a week ago but I wasn't using this laptop much until last couple of days.

If there were any problems with device drivers and/or OS updates, wouldn't this also manifest itself whether the connection is modem wifi or hotspot wifi ?

Having said that, I'm starting to favour the installing/uninstalling VPN - somewhere in that program, could it differentiate between the 2 wifi systems, and make some particular setting(s) as to what was connected when it was installed/uninstalled ?

Have you tried my suggestion on page 1 - booting to Linux USB and testing the modem wifi connection. I'm beginning to think that will be fine, because the problem the "left over" damage from installing/uninstalling VPN (it could have made a setting when installed, and not removed that setting when uninstalled, or removed a setting/function it shouldn't have when uninstalled).

I like spending people's time and money .... you could consider downloading Win 10 (still free) and getting a new drive, swapping out the existing drive (thus keeping it intact and it could immediately be replaced back if needed at any stage) and do a clean install of Win 10 (unfortunately also all other programs as well, which sometimes unfortunately makes this idea immediately impractical). But just with Win 10 installed on a new drive, it would test whether the problem lies in the current OS .... but the Linux option would also reveal this).

Did think of one more thing

Your laptop is a high end one that's probably more sensitive than most phones or tablets

Perhaps your WiFi router is on the same channel as a neighbors and your laptop, being more sensitive, is seeing the other router and getting interfered with and loosing connection

There are several Android apps you can install from the Play Store like a wifi analyzer. I like the Netgear WiFi Analyzer. Will tell you signal strengths, channels used by neighbors, and even measure the actual Internet speed from your location. WiFi slows down with distance

I experienced my ThinkPad doing a simular thing once and simply changing my WiFi router to a clear channel fixed that

Of course, this is perhaps a long shot.... But WiFi IS a radio signal so things like channel interference or interference by home appliances may happen. Your microwave oven radiates in the lower WiFi band

UPDATE -- Issues still not resolved

--Removed all WAN drivers.
--Cannot roll-back V1909 because it's been too long.
--Found an update available (Microsoft NET Framework), installed and rebooted.
--Network SEEMED resolved for a couple of hours, but issues have returned.
Will have solid internet for a few minutes, then error page ("A network change has been detected.") Then page will refresh and continue to work for a few minutes, then the same thing happens. Network works fine/fast except for continual drops/refreshes. So at least I can connect now but not continuously, which is big problem for video conferencing etc.
--Ran network diagnostics, found problem that could not resolve.
--Ran again, said problem was resolved, but did not really resolve anything, same problem.
--Network diagnostic report can be read here. I'm not very knowledgeable but this part seems relevant:

"Result of diagnosis: Problem found
Root cause: This computer is continuously switching between two or more wireless routers or access points
Detailed root cause: Excessive roaming (between access points, within a profile or a preferred network)
Repair option: Select one preferred network Windows Help and Support can provide more information about how to prevent your computer from continuously switching between wireless routers or access points."

I've now "forgotten"/deleted all known networks except my home network, and problem still persists, so I don't know what other access points it could be switching to without my permission or knowledge.

THANKS EVERYONE for your help and feedback!