I've been facing persistent connectivity issues with my Alienware m17 r5 since I did a clean install of Windows 10 due to a corrupted operating system. Now, whenever I try to access any website, I keep getting errors like ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR, SSL_ERROR_BAD_MAC_ALERT, and connection interrupted messages. This problem occurs across all browsers I've tried, including Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. Moreover, my internet connectivity is completely shot; I can't check for updates or log into my Microsoft account, either.
I've only installed my browsers and have a USB mouse and an external SSD connected. My system clock is synced, so that shouldn't be the issue. My WiFi works perfectly on other devices in my household, and I even tested using my phone as a mobile hotspot, still encountering the same problems.
I'm at a complete standstill here and would appreciate any guidance on how to resolve these issues!
2 Answers
I came across an older thread where someone had similar issues and managed to fix it by updating their network card drivers. It sounds like your network card settings could be the root of the problem, given the errors you're seeing. If you haven't already, I'd suggest checking for any updates on those drivers.
Another thing to consider is whether you've installed all the necessary drivers from the manufacturer's website after your clean install. Windows doesn't always have all the drivers covered. You should take a look in Device Manager to see if there are any exclamation points next to your devices or anything marked as unknown. Make sure your network adapter driver is the correct and latest version.
I checked Device Manager, and I found several warnings for unknown devices, including one labeled 'PCI Data Acquisition and Signal Processing Center'. Should I go ahead and update the drivers for all of those?