I bought a prebuilt gaming PC and I'm having a frustrating network problem. Whenever I launch games such as Roblox, Overwatch, or Fortnite, the Wi‑Fi disconnects completely and won't reconnect until I restart the computer. I've already tried the gaming-related settings suggested in videos and changed the power-management options for the Wi‑Fi adapter. The PC is otherwise usable for browsing and ROM hacks, but gaming is basically impossible. The motherboard is an MSI A520M-A PRO. Could this be a driver, adapter, or hardware issue, and what should I try before replacing the whole PC?
3 Answers
Check which Wi‑Fi adapter appears under Device Manager > Network adapters. If Windows is using a generic Microsoft driver, download the proper driver from the adapter or motherboard manufacturer’s support page and install it manually. Make sure you get the exact driver for the hardware you’re using rather than relying only on Windows Update.
If you can run an Ethernet cable from the router to the PC, test that first. Ethernet is a wired network connection and is usually more stable than Wi‑Fi, especially during gaming. You can also try reinstalling the Wi‑Fi driver and using Windows’ Network Reset. If Ethernet works perfectly, the Wi‑Fi adapter, its driver, or signal stability is probably the problem. The MSI A520M-A PRO generally needs a separate Wi‑Fi adapter, so identify that adapter before downloading drivers.
A faster internet plan won’t necessarily fix this because speed and connection stability are different issues. Ethernet could still help even if your Wi‑Fi is fast: it avoids wireless interference and prevents the adapter from dropping out. If the connection also fails over Ethernet, then the issue may be Windows, the router, or another hardware problem rather than Wi‑Fi reception.
I recently upgraded my Wi‑Fi and the speed is good. Would Ethernet still help if the problem isn’t slow internet? I’m not familiar with how it works.
I have an MSI A520M-A PRO motherboard, but I’m not sure what Wi‑Fi adapter is installed.