Laptop (14z -em000) frequently drops wifi

[ssoloway]

This seems to be a common problem, but I haven't seen it mentioned on my particular hardware.  Every once in a while, my WiFi drops.  Even though there are a dozen WiFi access points within range, clicking on the WiFi icon shows none of them.  If I manually turn WiFi off and on again, I can reconnect, and I once again see all the WiFi access points within range.  All my WiFi drivers (at least the ones that have "WiFI" in their names) are up-to-date as of yesterday.

This happens maybe once a day at most, so it is something I can live with.  But I am kind of disappointed that this is happening with a new computer.

[Raj_05]

Hi @ssoloway,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

Intermittent WiFi drops can indeed be frustrating, especially with a new laptop. Since your drivers are up-to-date and this happens intermittently, here are some troubleshooting steps and suggestions to resolve or minimize the issue.

Power Management Settings

WiFi issues are sometimes linked to power management settings, where the network adapter is turned off to save power.

• Steps:
  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Network Adapters.
  3. Right-click on your WiFi adapter (e.g., Intel Wireless, Realtek, etc.) and select Properties.
  4. Go to the Power Management tab.
  5. Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."

Disable WiFi 6 (if applicable)

Some routers or devices have compatibility issues with WiFi 6. If your laptop supports WiFi 6, try disabling it.

• Steps:
  1. In Device Manager, right-click on your WiFi adapter and select Properties.
  2. Go to the Advanced tab.
  3. Look for an option like 802.11ax or WiFi 6 in the list and set it to Disabled.

Adjust Roaming Aggressiveness

Adjusting this setting can help your laptop maintain a more stable connection.

• Steps:
  1. In Device Manager, right-click your WiFi adapter and go to Properties.
  2. Under the Advanced tab, find Roaming Aggressiveness.
  3. Change the value to Medium or Medium-Low.

Update the BIOS

Sometimes, WiFi issues are linked to outdated BIOS firmware.

• Visit the HP Support website, download, and install the latest BIOS for your laptop.

[Raj_05]

Check for Interference

If you live in an area with many WiFi access points, interference could be causing drops.

• Try switching your router to a less crowded channel (e.g., Channel 1, 6, or 11 for 2.4 GHz).
• Use the 5 GHz band if available, as it is typically less congested.

Windows Network Reset

Resetting your network settings can fix hidden configuration issues.

• Steps:
  1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
  2. Scroll down and click Network reset.
  3. Follow the prompts to reset your network settings.

Test with Another Network

To rule out a router issue, connect your laptop to another WiFi network and monitor the stability.

Update or Roll Back WiFi Drivers

Even though your drivers are up-to-date, sometimes the latest driver can cause issues. Rolling back to a previous driver version may help.

• Steps to Roll Back:
  1. In Device Manager, right-click your WiFi adapter and select Properties.
  2. Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver if the option is available.

Use an External WiFi Adapter (Temporary Solution)

If the issue persists despite all efforts, you can use a USB WiFi adapter as a stopgap while diagnosing the root cause.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support 

[ssoloway]

My network adaptor (REALTEK 8852BE-VS Wifi 6 802.11ax PCIe Adapter) doesn't see to have any of the options you mention.  There is no power management tab and no advanced tab.  I assume it is a "virtual" adapter; maybe that has something to do with the problem.  I'm looking in device manager>network adaptors, fwiw.

The problem hasn't happened for a few days, so I'm hoping it has gone away.  If it happens again I'll try the network reset and maybe changing the WiFi band as you suggest.  Changing the WiFi band seems doubtful given that all WiFi access points disappear when this bug happens.  Also, I should point out that I only own a single WiFi access point/router, so I have no option to change my WiFi access point.  (Other access points in my building are normally visible but I don't have passwords for them.)

Thank you for your suggestions.

[Raj_05]

Hi @ssoloway,

Thank you for your response, 

I'm sending a private message to assist you with the next action.

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted.

Raj_05

HP Support