Wi-Fi Driver Still Broken Even After Windows 11 Repair Install (ASUS ROG G531GT, Intel)

Title: Troubleshooting Persistent Wi-Fi Driver Issues on ASUS ROG G531GT with Windows 11

Introduction

Experiencing network connectivity problems can be frustrating, especially when standard troubleshooting steps fail to resolve the issue. This article addresses a persistent Wi-Fi driver problem encountered on an ASUS ROG Strix G531GT running Windows 11, illustrating effective strategies to diagnose and resolve such issues.

Overview of the Issue

The user reports that their Intel Wi-Fi adapter displays a warning sign in Device Manager following a failed driver update. Key symptoms include:

• Wi-Fi network not appearing in system network settings, ipconfig, or netsh commands
• WLAN AutoConfig service is unavailable or refuses to start
• Windows update KB5062660 (.msu package) fails to install, citing network issues
• Airplane mode remains unresponsive
• Attempts to reinstall drivers using traditional methods (.exe and .inf files) have been unsuccessful
• The problem persists even after a clean Windows reinstall, with multiple system components showing warnings

Initial Troubleshooting Attempts

The following steps were undertaken to resolve the issue:

1. Driver Uninstallation: Used pnputil to remove all Intel network drivers.
2. Device Cleanup: Cleared ghost devices and hidden devices, including WAN Miniports, via Device Manager.
3. System File Checks: Ran comprehensive SFC and DISM scans to repair system files.
4. OS Repair: Performed a repair installation of Windows 11, retaining files and settings.
5. Driver Reinstallation: Attempted to install the latest drivers (.msu and .exe), which continued to fail.
6. Older Driver Installation: Tried installing an older driver version (22.250.1) from ASUS but encountered a “newer version installed” message.
7. Driver Files Accessibility: Could not locate a portable .inf driver package from Intel, as only .exe files are provided now.
8. Post-Reinstallation Observation: Despite reinstalling the OS, the Wi-Fi adapter remains warning-signaled, alongside other system devices.

Current Status

• No Wi-Fi or Ethernet connectivity, resulting in complete internet loss.
• Bluetooth functionality continues to operate normally.
• The Wi-Fi hardware appears to be unresponsive, indicating potential deeper issues with driver binding or the ACPI subsystem.
• Manual attempts to install drivers via the .msu package or standard procedures have failed consistently.

Guidance and Recommendations