Wi-Fi disconnects whenever I start a game
Asked by
MellowCactus47
I bought a prebuilt gaming PC online, but I'm having a serious connection 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 recommended gaming settings and changed the power-management options for the Wi-Fi adapter. The motherboard is an MSI A520M-A PRO, and I'm wondering whether this is a driver, adapter, or hardware problem. I don't know much about PCs and would appreciate troubleshooting steps before considering replacing the whole computer.
Answers
If possible, test the PC with an Ethernet cable. Ethernet is a wired connection, so it can help determine whether the problem is your Wi-Fi adapter or the network itself, and it usually provides a more stable gaming connection even when your internet speed is already good. You can also try a Windows network reset and reinstall the Wi-Fi driver. A replacement Wi-Fi adapter may be needed if the disconnects continue.
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Start by checking the exact Wi-Fi adapter in Device Manager. Download the proper driver from the adapter or motherboard manufacturer’s support page rather than relying on a generic Windows driver. Install it manually if necessary, then restart the PC. Also check whether the adapter is a USB dongle or a separate PCIe card, since the MSI A520M-A PRO motherboard itself does not include built-in Wi-Fi.
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Make sure Windows is fully updated and check for newer chipset and network drivers. Since the failure happens under gaming load, also inspect the Wi-Fi adapter for overheating or instability and try a different USB port if it’s a USB device. If Ethernet works reliably but Wi-Fi keeps dropping, replacing the adapter is more sensible than replacing the entire PC.
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MellowCactus47: Ethernet could still help even if speed isn’t the issue because it avoids the wireless connection entirely. I’ll use it as a test to see whether the computer stays connected while gaming.