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

General discussion

No internet connection except via the Ethernet cable

May 12, 2017 9:16PM PDT

Have 3 computers on network, 2 with W7 (desktop and laptop) and W10 laptop (new) using ATT internet.

W10 laptop cannot connect to the internet. Currently using Ethernet cable connect to ATT modem. Cannot use laptop away from home or in another room.

Have had 2 IT Techs (in home) and 2 on-line techs try to solve the problem. The second in home Tech was able to get the laptop to connect to the network but the problem re-occurred two days later when I tried to connect to the network.

The 2 on-line techs walked me through several troubleshooting techniques but none worked. I have also tried to fix the problem using instructions from Microsoft forums. All messages from troubleshooting indicated that all drivers/etc were working correctly. Still no network connection.

I contacted Microsoft to take advantage of the troubleshooting/technical service for which I paid BIG bucks. Micro tech did a factory reset by linking to my laptop. Still no network connection without the Ethernet cable.

Is there anything I can do to get the laptop working correctly?

Can anyone steer me in the right direction?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Sounds like warranty time.
May 12, 2017 9:43PM PDT

I read this as the new Windows 10 laptop has a failed WiFi. Back to the maker to determine how to get it fixed, exchanged, etc.

- Collapse -
no wifi
May 19, 2017 6:35AM PDT

try a new usb wifi dongle see if that fixes your issue first disable your old one on the laptop

- Collapse -
Internet Connection Fixed (currently)
May 21, 2017 2:11PM PDT

Spent about 3 hours reading many many documents on-line to try to understands wi-fi troubleshooting techniques before working my way through the Dell online documents.

Two of the IT techs who came to my home downloaded new drivers which was ok until I turned my PC off. Plus a Dell support tech did a factory reset which also only worked until I turned the PC off.

Don't know if the new drivers are really new but so they are working and I now know where to go to find info.

Hope this helps and also that I haven't missed anything.

Dell.com
http://www.dell.com/
http://www.dell.com/support/

Select Diagnostics
Select Diagnostics Testing
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/

Enter Service Tag
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/servicetag/fn731c2/diagnose

Test your system for hardware problems (Quick Test 10 min or Full Test 40 min)
I chose to do the Full Test for 40 min

General Maintenance Results:
Network Card: The network device has been tested and is operating normally.
-----

Select Drivers & downloads
Select Detect Drivers
Accept the terms to continue

Select Option: Reinstall Dell’s Drivers and Downloads
http://www.dell.com/support/drivers

Select Option: Find updates for your device? / Detect Drivers / Download and install drivers

2 were listed
Intel 8260/7265/7260/3165/3160 WiFi Driver (this one got stuck at 99% for 55 minutes so I cancelled and started the download again)

Network_Driver_8FKNJ_WN32_19.2.0.1_A07.EXE (85 MB of 168 MB)
-----

After drivers successfully installed, Rebooted system
After reboot, Wi-fi symbol immediately displayed in taskbar. Took a few seconds to realize that the icon displayed. Still here on 5/21.