How to Fix a USB Wi-Fi Adapter That Keeps Disconnecting (2024)

> Microsoft

This page covers a range of solutions for how to get a USB Wi-Fi adapter working when it fails to turn on or repeatedly shuts down. These fixes will help you get the Wi-Fi adapter powered on and connected to a wireless internet connection.

Why Won’t My USB Wi-Fi Adapter Work?

USB Wi-Fi adapters usually stop working due to driver errors (incorrect drivers being installed or the correct drivers being out of date), insufficient power, or some software glitch. Damaged or dirty hardware can also stop USB Wi-Fi adapters from working correctly.

How to Stop a USB Wi-Fi Adapter From Disconnecting

Here’s how to fix a USB Wi-Fi adapter when it stops working on a Windows or Mac computer.

1. Turn off Airplane mode. If enabled, Airplane mode will disable all wireless connectivity.

2. Turn on Wi-Fi. If Wi-Fi is disabled, your USB Wi-Fi adapter won’t be able to connect to the internet.

3. Check the Wi-Fi signal strength. Check the Wi-Fi icon on your desktop to see how many bars the internet connection has. If the USB adapter is connected to the internet, but its signal strength is weak, you may be able to improve it by moving your computer closer to a window and away from walls and large objects.

4. Reconnect the USB Wi-Fi adapter. Carefully unplug the adapter, wait several seconds, and then plug it back in again.

5. Check for dirt and damage. Unplug the USB Wi-Fi adapter and inspect it for any dust on the inside of the USB connector. Also, look for cracks or loose casing that could indicate damage.

6. Restart your computer. A quick reboot could fix your USB Wi-Fi adapter problems in addition to a number of other computer issues.

7. Update your Windows PC or your Mac. Installing the latest operating system update can address several problems, including whatever plagues the Wi-Fi adapter.

8. Try a different USB port. The current USB port may be damaged.

9. Troubleshoot the USB port. One quick method is to try a different USB device. If something else, like a mouse, also doesn’t work, the problem is with the USB port, not the Wi-Fi adapter.

10. Connect your computer to a power source. Some laptops have trouble powering multiple USB devices simultaneously while running on battery power.

11. Use a powered USB hub. If you suspect more power is needed to use the USB Wi-Fi adapter device, try connecting it to a USB hub or dock with its own power.

    Microsoft’s Surface Dock is one such device that can connect a Surface to multiple monitors and various USB devices.

12. Remove the USB hub. If you use a USB hub, unplug the USB Wi-Fi adapter and connect it directly to your computer. Your USB hub may be blocking the connection.

    See Also

    What are the most effective ways to diagnose and repair a computer's network adapter?

13. Run Windows troubleshooters. Some relevant troubleshooters available for your computer include Network and Internet, Incoming Connections, Network Adapter, and Power.

14. On Windows, open Device Manager and go to Action > Scan for hardware changes. This may help your computer detect and activate your USB Wi-Fi adapter.

15. Enable the Wi-Fi adapter. It might be the case that the device has been disabled, in which case enabling it is the only fix you need to make.

16. Update device drivers. In Windows, update the device drivers for any USB adapters under Network adapters.

17. Uninstall and reinstall device drivers.

    If updating the device driver doesn’t work, open Device Manager again, right-click your USB adapter’s name, and select Uninstall device. Once done, restart your computer. The correct driver should automatically download and install after the restart process has finished.
    

    If it doesn't work at this point, consider trying a free driver updater tool.

18. Restart the WLAN AutoConfig service.

    To do this, search Windows for services.msc. When Services opens, locate that service from the list, choose Stop, wait for it to shut down, and then press Start. Also make sure the startup type to Automatic.

19. Reset your Mac’s System Management Controller. Resetting the SMC can fix a number of issues including those that affect USB devices and Wi-Fi connectivity.

20. Disable USB battery saver. On Windows, open Settings, select Bluetooth & devices > USB, and make sure the switch next to USB battery saver is turned off.

21. Reset your network settings on Mac or Windows. Network settings essentially manage the majority of your device’s networking features that allow it to connect to both the internet and other devices.

22. Replace your USB Wi-Fi adapter. If none of the above fixes work, and your device is relatively new, you should be able to exchange it or get a full refund. Otherwise, you can purchase a new USB Wi-Fi adapter.

Do You Need a USB Wi-Fi Adapter?

You may not need a USB Wi-Fi adapter because the majority of modern laptops and desktop computers feature built-in Wi-Fi functionality. Try connecting to a Wi-Fi network using just your computer’s native hardware.