Wifi starts only on cold boot, after unplugging on a newly built pc.

Understanding and Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues on a Newly Built PC: A Case Study

Introduction

Building a new custom PC is an exciting endeavor, but it often comes with its own set of technical challenges. One such issue faced by many enthusiasts is audio, network, or peripheral hardware not initializing correctly during startup. In this article, we explore a specific Wi-Fi connectivity problem encountered in a new system, analyze potential causes, and discuss possible solutions to streamline your PC’s startup process.

System Overview

The system in question features the GIGABYTE B650I AX motherboard, paired with the latest BIOS version provided by GIGABYTE. The user has installed a dual boot setup with Debian Linux and Windows 11, aiming for flexible operating system use. After installation, the latest device drivers from GIGABYTE were applied. Despite these steps, the Wi-Fi adapter consistently failed to initialize correctly upon normal startup. Instead, the Wi-Fi drivers reported device faults under both operating systems, leaving the system without wireless connectivity—forcing reliance on USB tethering as a temporary workaround.

The Critical Observation

An unconventional but effective method was identified to restore Wi-Fi functionality:

1. Power off the PC.
2. Unplug the power supply.
3. Hold down the power button until all motherboard LEDs turn off, ensuring a complete discharge.
4. Plug the power cable back in.
5. Start the system normally.

Performing these steps consistently resulted in the Wi-Fi device initializing correctly, and the Wi-Fi drivers working as intended. This suggests the issue is tied to the motherboard’s power management or initialization behavior, rather than driver faults.

Analyzing the Issue

Given that the problem persists across both Linux and Windows, and the fix involves an entire power cycle with complete discharge, several potential causes are worth considering:

• Power Management Settings: The motherboard or BIOS may have settings affecting PCIe device initialization or power states that interfere with Wi-Fi adapter startup.
• BIOS Configuration: Certain BIOS features, such as “ERP,” “Wake on LAN,” “Fast Boot,” or “PCIe ASPM” (Active State Power Management), can influence hardware power states and initialization sequences.
• Hardware Initialization Timing: The Wi-Fi module might not be initialising correctly during the initial system boot, potentially due to BIOS timing or power sequencing issues.

• Firmware and Driver Compatibility: Although the problem exists across different OSes, outdated or incompatible firmware could affect hardware startup routines.