Wireless network frequently says no internet available

[Tserrof2]

This is a HP  Laptop 17-cn2 running windows 11.  It connects wirelessly to a Comcast compatible modem. . My connection drops off frequently, and my workaround has been to click on the wireless icon in the lower right corner of the taskbar, disconnect from my network, wait 5 seconds, and reconnect. This is successful for a few minutes and then it loses internet again. It used to work fine, but started dropping the connection a couple of months ago. I do have a stable connection on both a Samsong tablet and Samsung phone.

Thanks.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

What's the name and model number of the wireless network adapter your notebook comes with?

You can find that information in the device manager under the Network Adapters category.

[Tserrof2]

Realtek RTL8821CE ?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

The only suggestion I can offer would be to see if updating the RTL8821CE Wi-Fi driver to the latest version works for you:

I don't know what happened to the latest Realtek driver HP had on the support pages, but many of the newer versions are not available right now.

Check the current version of the Realtek Wi-Fi driver that is currently installed before proceeding.

It is probably older than the driver I am giving you.

Fortunately, you can download the latest Wi-Fi driver from the Microsoft Update catalog website.

Select the first file on the list.

2024.10.229.0, 5/16/2024

Microsoft Update Catalog

You can't do anything with the file you downloaded as is, because it is a cabinet file, and the file contents have to be extracted to a folder so you can work with it.

You will need to manually update the driver, and the first thing you have to do after you save the driver cabinet file is to download and install this free file utility.

The first file on the list is for 64 bit:

7-Zip

After you install 7-Zip, right click on the driver cabinet file you saved.

Have 7-Zip Extract to: and let it extract the file into that long folder name.

Ignore any messages you see during the extraction process.

After 7-Zip has created the driver folder, go to the device manager.

Click to expand the Network adapters device manager category.

Click on the Realtek RTL8821CE Wi-Fi adapter.

Click on the driver tab.

Click on Update driver.

Select the 'Browse my computer for drivers' option and browse to the driver folder that 7-Zip created.

Make sure that the Include subfolders box is checked, and the driver should install.

Then restart the notebook and you should now see that the driver version is 2024.10.229.0, 5/16/2024.

[Tserrof2]

Hi, it is hard to download anything since I can't keep the laptop connected for long.

Can I download the file to my tablet and move the file to the laptop?

Have also been wondering if Norton anti-virus might be part of the problem.

I'll figure out a way to get it on the laptop and get back to you.

Thank you.

[Tserrof2]

Well, the wireless gods were with me, and I was able to connect, follow your directions, and successfully update the driver!

I will let you know if it solved the issue.

Thanks for the clear directions

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[Tserrof2]

Hey Paul, seems that your solution solved the issue.

I am impressed how quickly and easily assistance arrived after posting to this HP Support Community.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Glad that updating the driver to the latest version resolved the problem for you.

Cheers,

Paul