Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Can't connect to internet after factory reset

Jan 4, 2018 8:00AM PST

My computer started acting really weird all of a sudden, all browsesr gave an error trying to open, recycle bin wouldn't delete files. So I did a factory restore but now I can't connect to network at all. Nothing even shows up for available networks. I've done factory reset before and never had this problem. What's going on?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Not much to work with here.
Jan 4, 2018 8:09AM PST

Try reset again?

- Collapse -
Resetting again gave error
Jan 4, 2018 8:55AM PST

"There was an error resetting this PC. No changes were made."

- Collapse -
Is there a reason for this reset?
Jan 4, 2018 9:04AM PST

As to the WiFi working before, hallway lights work then they don't for no reason too.

But if you want, be sure to install the driver and app required for this to work.

For example on my Dell I have to install a few things after a W10 reset.
1. Motherboard driver package.
2. WiFi driver.
3. Dell's Quickset App.

That last item is to turn on the WiFi card. The card for some reason is off till I install this app. Other laptop models may require such an app.

- Collapse -
(NT) What am I supposed to do?
Jan 4, 2018 9:13AM PST
- Collapse -
Since I can't find make and model.
Jan 4, 2018 9:19AM PST

I shared the process for my Dells.

I know folk want their privacy but to get any more specific I think you know that you will have to share the make, model, year of the laptop.

WiFi modules so fail so I also carry some USB WiFi for testing purposes. These are under 20 bucks and far cheaper than a trip back to the shop.

- Collapse -
(NT) Where do I find the make and model on the computer?
Jan 4, 2018 9:23AM PST
- Collapse -
You called out the make and SERIES.
Jan 4, 2018 9:49AM PST

Dell Inspiron. The SERVICE TAG can reveal the rest and on Dell.com take you to the drivers for what Dell supplied on the machine.

If someone added WiFi, there's a high chance WiFi will not work at all on reset.

This is one of those times you have to know what you are working on.

If you want, share a WEB SPECCY and we may see what it's made of but sometimes not. The Service Tag should not be shared here unless you didn't buy it and then it's not going to leak who you are.

- Collapse -
How to share a Web Speccy link.
Jan 4, 2018 9:50AM PST
- Collapse -
So it's a Dell Desktop Inspiron.
Jan 4, 2018 9:22AM PST

I can't tell which of the thousand models that would be. Many didn't come with WiFi so you have to install the driver needed for what was added. If it came with WiFi it may still need the items I noted installed.

Remember I take it that most PC owners know where their PC drivers are and how to install. That is, with a Dell you have your service tag and know what that is, how to get the drivers at Dell.com etc.

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
was the wifi messing up?
Jan 4, 2018 8:45AM PST

Is that why you did the reset? This a laptop? Their wifi often burns out.

- Collapse -
The wifi was working fine
Jan 4, 2018 8:54AM PST

Its a desktop computer. Dell Inspiron

- Collapse -
did it come with wifi already in the computer?
Jan 4, 2018 9:12AM PST

If it was added later, then a reset wouldn't load the wifi driver files.

- Collapse -
I don't think so
Jan 4, 2018 9:16AM PST

I had a laptop before this with internet but that still works. What am I supposed to do?

- Collapse -
Look in system information
Jan 4, 2018 9:29AM PST

or device manager, find out what wifi model it shows. You can then find the proper driver files from the manufacturer site, hopefully.

- Collapse -
I think I found it
Jan 4, 2018 10:33AM PST

In the device manager for network controller is says the manufacturer is Qualcomm Atheros Communications Inc.

In the device status box it says

"This device is not configured correctly. (Code 1)

Driver is not intended for this platform."

I found the make and model too. It's a Dell Inspiron 3668.

I try installing some drivers from the Dell website. One wouldn't install. The other one did install and restarted my computer but it didn't fix the wifi problem.

- Collapse -
Remember the method I use?
Jan 4, 2018 11:07AM PST

Just to repeat.

1. Motherboard driver package.
2. The WiFi driver (use your service Tag!)
3. Dell Quickset from the downloads page found with the service tag.

If this fails, it's likely the card has failed.

- Collapse -
No model number given?
Jan 4, 2018 11:09AM PST
https://www.qualcomm.com/products/wi-fi

Here's where the driver files can be found for whatever model you use. If you have a bootable linux DVD, boot to it and run the following command in terminal, that will give us the model number if windows won't.

inxi -Nn

or if that doesn't try the following two commands;

lspci
lsusb
- Collapse -
Still not working
Jan 4, 2018 11:57AM PST

I installed the driver for Windows 10. No networks are showing up

- Collapse -
It shouldn't work if it's like mine.
Jan 4, 2018 12:03PM PST

I have to install three items and then turn on the WiFi with the Dell app.

But some have trouble with that. Wish it was simpler.

- Collapse -
Can't find 2
Jan 4, 2018 12:07PM PST

You said motherboard driver package and Dell quickset app, right? I can't find those

- Collapse -
Found quickset app but
Jan 4, 2018 12:22PM PST

It says it's not supported on this system

- Collapse -
That's why we use the Service Tag.
Jan 4, 2018 12:46PM PST
- Collapse -
Ok
Jan 4, 2018 1:11PM PST

The service tag is 4HB3HH2

Speccy won't let me publish snapshot because no internet. I saved the snapshot on a USB. Is there some way I can upload a speccy file?

- Collapse -
Answer
Since there are a dozen Inspiron 3668 models. Did you?
Jan 4, 2018 1:03PM PST

1. Use the service tag at Dell?

2. Try the "Let us analyze" option at http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/product-support/product/inspiron-3668-desktop/drivers ?

Remember I don't think we've discounted the drivers yet because I am not reading the correct replies from you. I know this is hard on many owners but the goal here is to avoid the service counter.

Some folk just say forget the card and go get some USB WiFi stick. These are a fraction of the cost of a service counter. Example at Amazon. There are so many more like it:
https://www.amazon.com/ANEWKODI-600Mbps-150Mbps-433Mbps-Wireless/dp/B01G8IPLD8/

- Collapse -
I did use service tag
Jan 4, 2018 1:23PM PST

I tried Dell system detect but there doesn't seem like I can download the application to USB to use on my pc

- Collapse -
This tells me we need to cover non-WiFi use.
Jan 4, 2018 2:48PM PST

At times you must be able to connect with Ethernet to correct things like this.

But again, if the WiFi is just broken, even that won't help.

- Collapse -
Answer
Fixed
Jan 4, 2018 3:42PM PST

I reinstalled Windows 10 from USB drive. Internet and everything else works now.

Thank you to the people that helped.

- Collapse -
Answer
Connect to internet after factory reset
May 4, 2018 4:50PM PDT

This worked for me:
Start
Internet Options
Advanced
Reset (Internet settings)
Apply

Hope this helps!