Wi-Fi keeps cutting out after windows update

[JohnTCI1]

This was my original post of October 24 last year:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Software-and-How-To-Questions/Update-to-Win-11-25H2-has-cause...

Unfortunately, the constant disconnecting has been occurring yet again and even more frequently than before.

There have been many Windows updates since installing the recommended driver by Paul_Tikkanen:

Realtek RTL8xxx Wireless LAN Drivers

*Version 2024.10.230.600 *

sp162860.exe

Therefore, I don't have a clue as to which update may have caused it.

Annoyingly the "Connect Automatically" box remains unticked no matter how many times I click on it.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

Many thanks in advance.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The only suggestion I can offer would be to try the newest driver HP currently has for the  the RTL8821CE Wi-Fi adapter:

Version 2024.10.231.0

sp168341.exe

For systems using the RTL8821CE/RTL8822CE/RTL8822BE controller: - Fixes an issue which the AP list shows "No Wi-Fi networks found" when turned off and turned on the Wi-Fi icon - Fixes an issue where the system does not automatically connect to the Wi-Fi for approximately 30 seconds after it resumes from S3/S4.

[JohnTCI1]

Thank you Paul,

Hadn't used the laptop for a few days but about an hour ago I installed the suggested driver and the Wi-Fi immediately disconnected. 

When trying to reconnect, again the "connect automatically" box was not ticked/checked.

However, as I write, it is still connected, so I have fingers crossed that it will remain so.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[JohnTCI1]

Unfortunately, no more than 15 minutes had passed before the problems  returned.

To wit, yet again:

(i) the Wi-Fi was  disconnected and

(ii) the "Connect Automatically" box was unticked/unchecked. 

Most frustrating  . . . So, any further ideas would be most welcomed.

[JohnTCI1]

The most annoying aspect is that the "Connect Automatically" box persists in remaining unticked/unchecked.

I just asked Copilot about the 2 problems, wondering if it was a Windows 11 issue and this was the answer:

Your issue is not caused by a missing Windows setting. The Realtek RTL8821CE is widely known for persistent auto‑connect failures on Windows 11, and HP‑specific drivers often make it worse. The fix is almost always:

(1) remove HP’s wireless utilities, (2) install the correct Realtek driver version, and (3) adjust power settings.

It then gave a whole load of recommendations including about which HP settings to turn off and many more. 

Later in the answer it added:

If the issue still persists

The RTL8821CE is one of the weakest Wi‑Fi cards Realtek ever shipped. Many HP users ultimately replace it with an Intel card (AX200 or AX210), which instantly fixes all issues.

Your HP model does allow Wi‑Fi card replacement, and the Intel AX200 works perfectly in Windows 11.

All I can say is: Wow!!!!!!!!!! or Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Paul0311]

I have been following your posts since I have the RTL8821CE adapter in a 14-dk0024wm windows 10 laptop. I'm disappointed to hear that the 2024.10.231.0 driver did not fix the random wifi drops. But the fact that the 2024.10.230.600 driver did fix your problem since Oct. 2025 suggest that windows 11 25h2 updates are breaking something. I think the co-pilot (and Google AI) reports need more investigation. For example, the RTL8821CE supports just one antenna (1x1) used for both wifi and Bluetooth. The AX200 adapter uses 2 antennas (2x2). According to the Maintenance and Service guide your laptop could have 1 or 2 antennas since it supports either the RTL8821CE or the RTL8852AE or RTL8852AE-VT (wifi 6 adapters). Something to consider.