My TP-Link TX50HU wireless adapter recently stopped connecting to Wi‑Fi, even though it initially appeared to have a strong signal. I assumed the WLAN adapter needed new drivers, so I installed them, but afterward the adapter disappeared completely from Windows. I tried draining the PC's power, removing and reinstalling the CMOS battery, and disabling and re-enabling the wireless settings in BIOS, but nothing brought it back. The adapter is installed in a Gigabyte B850 GAMING WIFI6 system. I also have a TP-Link Archer T4U Plus AC1300 USB adapter, which works but disconnects unpredictably. What should I check to get the main wireless adapter detected again?
3 Answers
The unstable Archer T4U Plus may be a separate issue. Try restarting the router, using a different USB port, disabling USB power saving, and reinstalling its driver. For the missing internal adapter, Windows Update may not have the right driver, so download the LAN or Wi‑Fi driver from the motherboard or adapter manufacturer on another device and transfer it by USB.
Since this is a PCIe wireless card, power off the PC completely and reseat the card in its slot. Check that its antenna connectors are firmly attached and that any required USB or power cable from the card is connected. You can also try another PCIe slot. In BIOS, make sure onboard wireless and PCIe devices are enabled, then check whether the card appears there or in Windows. If it is missing from both BIOS and Device Manager, the card, slot, or connection may be faulty rather than just a driver problem.
First, check whether the adapter appears anywhere in Device Manager, including under Network adapters, Other devices, or as an unknown PCI device. If it is listed, uninstall the device and its driver, reboot, and install the correct Windows driver directly from TP-Link or Gigabyte using another computer if necessary. Also make sure you downloaded the driver for the exact TX50HU hardware revision.
The adapter was working for nearly a year before this, so I’ll check Device Manager and verify the exact hardware revision before reinstalling anything else.
I already toggled the wireless setting in BIOS, but I haven’t tried reseating the card or testing another slot yet. I’ll do that with the PC fully powered down.