I've just reinstalled Windows 10 on my Dell Inspiron 14 5425 using the media creation tool, and now I can't get the WiFi to work. In Device Manager, the only network adapter I see is the 'Microsoft Kernel Debug Network Adapter' when I check hidden devices. I've updated my BIOS to the latest version and downloaded every WiFi adapter driver available on Dell's website, but none will install. I've tried watching videos and reading posts on Reddit, but I'm still stuck. I can't seem to get in touch with Dell or Microsoft for help and I'm willing to try anything to get my WiFi back. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Have you checked the Network Adapters section in Device Manager? If you've got 'Show hidden devices' toggled on, you might see something else that could give you a clue.
There are a few things you should double-check: 1. Make sure you've installed the chipset driver for your laptop, as the WiFi driver needs that to work. 2. Look for any exclamation marks in Device Manager — that could indicate something's wrong. 3. Sometimes, the WiFi card can get slightly loose on the motherboard after reinstalling Windows, so it's worth taking a peek at that if all else fails.
I've installed the AMD chipset drivers. There is one exclamation mark under the Bluetooth adapter, but that only shows up when I plug in my USB. It's wild to think the card could be loose, but I'll save that for last. Thanks for the tips!