Windows updates killed my wifi

[RustyKnight]

Last week when I had no wifi and it took me 12 hours of system restores to get it working.

 

Yesterday I had 14 Windows updates and today my wifi isn't working - the adapter is showing in the device manager with an exclamation mark on it.

 

Anyone know how I can get my wifi back and stop windows updates from killing it?

 

At the moment Micro$oft has made my computer so secure its useless!

[KenB]

Hi R-K,

 

The exclamation mark is usually driver related - indicating a problem.

If you Right click on the driver in Device Manager ....then click on "Update Driver"

Select "Search Automatically"

I know you don't have internet access - but if the drivers exist on the system this may locate them and re-install.

 

Before you do the following - please make a note of the offending driver from Device Manager.

 

failing that:

Right click on the offending driver in Device Manager.

Then click on "uninstall"

Reboot the system.

Windows will see "new hardware" and attempt to install a driver for it.

 

Let me know how you get on.

[RustyKnight]

I tried reinstalling the driver from the hard drive and that doesn't work, it says its installed but the exclamation mark is still there.

 

I also tried your second solution, that didn't work either, it searched for a driver and then said it had failed.

[Plastic Nev]

Still in the device manager and the drivers section, do you have the "Roll back driver" function available? If so try that, the Windows update just might have installed the wrong driver over the old one for your WiFi.

 

Nev.

[KenB]

Try Nev's suggestion first.

 

I also tried your second solution, that didn't work either, it searched for a driver and then said it had failed.

I suggested earlier that you made a note of what was listed in Device Manager.

 

What was this ?

[RustyKnight]

It's listed as: 802.11n Wireless LAN card

 

Windows says the driver is up to date, there is no roll-back option.

 

The device status says:

 

Windows cannot verify the digital signature for the drivers required for this device. A recent hardware or software change might have installed a file that is signed incorrectly or damaged, or that might be malicious software from an unknown source. (Code 52)

 

All I did between it working fine and not working was install Windows updates - obviously Windows is malicious software :p

[KenB]

802.11n Wireless LAN card

Does it say "Ralink" or anything else next to this ?

 

 

What is the make and model number of your machine please ?

Hopefully from this we can locate the drivers for the wireless side of your network.

 

If you connect to the router with an ethernet cable - do you have access to the net ?

[RustyKnight]

It doesn't say Ralink but it did when it was working.

 

The computer is an HP p6-2022uk

 

I'm going to see if there's anything on the HP website about it when I have time.

[RustyKnight]

I downloaded the latest driver from the HP website and installed it, but the same message appears.

 

I have now got the computer connected via a LAN cable which isn't ideal but it does work.

[KenB]

It doesn't say Ralink but it did when it was working.

It is looking like a driver problem .... it should say "Ralink"

 

If you go back to Device Manager - right click on the wireless device > click on "Update Driver Software"

Let it search automatically.

 

You will need the LAN cable connected.

 

You could also try this:

http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Pavilion-p6-2000-Desktop-PC-series/5151865/model/5176985/drivers

 

Let HP identify missing and out of date drivers

[RustyKnight]

When I right click and select "update driver software" it replies with "The best driver software for your device is already installed."

 

I also have an exclamation mark on my NAS drive, which wasn't there before the windows updates - but it is working fine so I'm not touching it!

[KenB]

Did you try the HP link ?

 

Other option - System Restore to a date before the updates.

Then manually install the updates one at a time - making a restore point after each if there is no problem.

[RustyKnight]

I'm just trying the HP Support Assistant, it says there's an update for my Ralink wireless LAN and is downloading it now. I'll report back as soon as its done.

[RustyKnight]

Sorry about the double post, my browser is playing up I think.

 

I uninstalled the driver than used the HP Support Assistant and downloaded the new driver, it has installed and the exclamation mark is gone.

 

When I go to Network and Sharing the wifi adapter is there but disabled and I can't get it to enable

[KenB]

Hi

No problem with the double post - I deleted it :)

 

Go back to Device Manager > right click on the wifi device > can you enable it from here ?

 

Just a thought - do you have Aeroplane Mode on?

If so - turn this off.

[RustyKnight]

I right clicked and clicked enabled, it says it enabled but it still shows as disabled.

 

I'm beginning to think its a waste of time trying to get it working, I might just have to get a longer network cable.

[KenB]

I'm beginning to think its a waste of time trying to get it working

I am happy to continue with suggestions if you wish :)

[RustyKnight]

At the moment the exclamation mark has gone but windows still says there's a problem with the adapter even though it also says its working properly.

 

As I don't use my Xbox much now I have connected my PC to the Devolo home plug adapter in place of the Xbox so I think I'll just leave it like it is.

 

Thanks everyone, for trying to help and sorry for not solving it.

[KenB]

No problem R-K .......let us know if we can help further :)