Driver for network adapter isn’t running, tried everything i can find. Dont own a usb. Dont even have a Wi-Fi button anymore.

Troubleshooting Network Adapter Driver Issues on Acer AN515-43: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Experiencing connectivity issues can be frustrating, especially when troubleshooting options seem limited. If you’re using an Acer AN515-43 laptop with an Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz driver and have recently noticed your Wi-Fi button is missing or the network adapter isn’t functioning properly, this guide aims to help you navigate the problem with clear, accessible advice. Whether you’re unfamiliar with technical jargon or just overwhelmed, these steps will assist you in resolving driver-related network issues effectively.

Understanding the Issue

Your laptop’s Wi-Fi driver, which allows your system to communicate with wireless networks, is currently not functioning correctly. The Device Manager shows a yellow warning triangle with an exclamation mark next to your network adapter, indicating a problem. Additionally, the ‘Rollback’ option for the driver is greyed out, and attempts to reset the device have failed with error messages.

Common Causes

Recent Wi-Fi network changes or updates
Driver corruption or incompatibility
Windows update conflicts
Hardware issues (less likely but possible)

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Confirm the Issue
Check if your Wi-Fi hardware is hidden or disabled.
Ensure airplane mode is turned off.
Verify that your Wi-Fi button (if present) is activated—note that some models may have hidden or removed physical buttons.
Basic Restart
Restart your laptop to clear temporary glitches.
Sometimes, a simple reboot can resolve driver hiccups.
Use Network Troubleshooter
On Windows, open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
Select ‘Internet Connections’ and run the troubleshooter.
Follow on-screen instructions to see if Windows can detect and fix the problem.
Check Device Manager
Right-click the Start button and select ‘Device Manager.’
Expand ‘Network adapters.’
Right-click on ‘Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz’ and select ‘Properties.’
Under the ‘Driver’ tab, check the driver version and date.
If there’s a yellow warning, proceed to update or reinstall the driver.
Reinstall Network Adapter Driver
Since the driver is problematic and you have no internet access:
Download the latest driver from another device with internet access:
Visit the official Intel website or Acer support page.
Search for your specific model (Acer AN515-