Internet doesn’t stay connected for long on laptop.

Troubleshooting Frequent Wi-Fi Disconnections on Your Gaming Laptop

Having a reliable internet connection is essential, especially when gaming or performing high-bandwidth tasks on your laptop. However, experiencing frequent Wi-Fi disconnections can be both frustrating and disruptive. If your relatively new gaming laptop (around two months old) persistently drops the Wi-Fi connection, despite other devices remaining unaffected, it’s important to systematically diagnose and resolve the issue.

Understanding the Problem

In this scenario, the laptop disconnects from Wi-Fi approximately once every hour, indicating a sporadic connectivity problem. Notably, other devices on the same network continue to function normally, suggesting the issue may be specific to the laptop rather than the network itself.

Initial Troubleshooting Steps Undertaken

Several common troubleshooting measures have already been attempted:
– Performing a network reset
– Searching for and installing available system updates
– Updating all network drivers (confirmed to be current)
– Uninstalling and reinstalling network drivers
– Resetting the router
– Disabling antivirus software via system configuration

Despite these efforts, the disconnections persist.

Additional Considerations

One noteworthy detail is that the issue emerged shortly after uninstalling McAfee antivirus software from the laptop. While uninstalling security software can sometimes affect system stability or network behavior, it’s unlikely to be the sole cause but is worth investigating.

Recommended Next Steps

Check for Windows Network Troubleshooter:
Windows offers built-in tools to diagnose and automatically fix network problems. Running the Windows Network Troubleshooter can sometimes identify underlying issues.
Review Power Management Settings:
Navigate to Device Manager > Network Adapters.
Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Properties.
Under the Power Management tab, uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
Reset TCP/IP Stack and Winsock Catalog:
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Run the commands:
netsh int ip reset netsh winsock reset
- Restart your laptop afterward.
Check for Driver Rollback or Alternative Drivers:
Even if drivers appear up-to-date, sometimes a rollback to a previous version can resolve compatibility issues.
Visit the manufacturer’s website for your laptop or Wi-Fi adapter for alternative driver versions.
Examine System Event Logs:
Use Event Viewer to identify any network-related errors or warnings around the time disconnections occur