For the past month or longer, my laptop's Wi-Fi adapter stops working as soon as I open almost any video game. This happens with both a game launched through Steam and one using its own launcher, even when the game itself does not need an internet connection. Discord and web browsers do not trigger the problem, and Aseprite seems to be an exception. When it happens, the Wi-Fi option completely disappears from Windows. Occasionally it returns after repeatedly using the built-in option to reinstall the Wi-Fi driver, but that workaround has mostly stopped helping. I've also noticed that the problem only occurs when the charger is connected. Unfortunately, I need to play while plugged in for better performance and frame rates. What could cause this, and what should I try to fix it?
2 Answers
If changing power settings and reinstalling the driver does not help, watch whether the Wi-Fi adapter vanishes from Device Manager entirely when the game starts. If it disappears there, rather than merely disconnecting, Windows is likely losing contact with the adapter because of a hardware, power, heat, or motherboard issue. Check temperatures and event logs, and test with a USB Wi-Fi adapter. If the USB adapter works normally while gaming, the built-in wireless card or the laptop’s power circuitry may need service.
Because the failure is tied specifically to plugging in the charger and launching a high-load program, check the laptop’s power and thermal behavior. Install the latest Wi-Fi driver from the laptop manufacturer, and if the issue started after a driver update, try rolling back to the previous version. Also update the chipset and BIOS or firmware if the manufacturer provides newer versions. Test with a different compatible charger if possible, since a faulty charger or power-management circuit can create interference or instability when the system switches to its high-performance power profile.
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