Wireless Adapter keeps disconnecting

Victorious Secret · April 10, 2015

So this is a problem on one of my rigs, and I've tried practically everything to solve it but haven't had much luck.

My WiFi adapter, an ASUS AC53 Wireless AC adapter, my motherboard is a Z87 Sabertooth and this occurs under both Windows 8.1 and now Windows 10.

I've tried everything. Turning off the "allow computer to turn off device" setting in device manager, uninstalling and reinstalling drivers. I've used the front panel ports, rear ports, even the USB ports on my monitor.

This even occurs under a new Windows 10 install.

Without fail, the wireless adapter just stops working. No reason why, occurs no matter what the system is doing (whether under network load or just idling). The only consistent way to get it to reconnect is to unplug it and plug it back in. Windows straight up "doesn't see" any WiFi networks until I do that, I have not the faintest idea why it happens.

And it isn't just on this adapter. Happens with a Linksys adapter as well. And to prove that I'm not insane, the same adapters work fine on my other rig without any disconnects. So I'm stumped. A clean Windows install didn't fix anything, pretty sure my motherboard isn't gone to hell.

Any ideas before I start sacrificing lambs?

Senzelian · April 10, 2015

Any ideas before I start sacrificing lambs?

Sacrifice some Skrillex fans. They might not be worth as much, but are easier to find and no one will miss them.

Jokes aside, did you update your BIOS? Maybe that helps. Actually I just wrote that, so my comment isn't completly useless, but maybe it workes. (I don't think so...)

Sauron · April 10, 2015

Well if the adapters work fine and the OS is not the problem, the only remaining possibility is an issue with the motherboard. It's possible that there is a bios function that will turn off usb devices for some reason. Try disabling any power saving features & such.