Many problems with my laptop's network adapter.

[Acerblock]

This has been happening for months now and it has just been getting worse. Every couple of minutes, my laptop's network adapter would have a limited internet connection and report problems. Windows Network Diagnostics would always fix it, saying that the default gateway is not available. Now however, I can't fix the problems. The troubleshooter stops at looking for problems in network adapter, and then says it can't identify the problem.

This has been happening after I got attacked with ransomware and some other miscellaneous malicious programs on my laptop and I'm worried that it's broken. How can I fix it?

I have uninstalled drivers, checked for new updates and reset the winsock catalog. Nothing works.

[Ad Bot]

[Fab]

Can be dust or something.

[Acerblock]

Can be dust or something.

uh, it's inside my laptop and I doubt dust would be the issue.

[Alyx Vance]

uh, it's inside my laptop and I doubt dust would be the issue.

Dust can get inside of a laptop

[U2]

Make an Ubuntu Linux live USB drive using this utility. (Please, be careful.) Google 'how to boot from usb drive ___insert_laptop_model_here__ _'. Boot from the flash drive and try connecting to a network.

If Ubuntu doesn't recognize the wireless radio, either there's a hardware problem or Ubuntu doesn't have built-in drivers for that particular radio. If the latter is the case, you can find some Linux drivers online and install them thru apt-get.

If Ubuntu recognizes the radio but can't connect, it's probably a hardware issue, meaning you may be SOL. You may have to crack open the laptop and reseat the adapter or blow off any accumulated dust. If that doesn't work, your wireless card may be dead.

If Ubuntu recognizes the radio and connects, it's a problem with Windows. My money is on this one.

[Blockzillahead]

First of all, find you network adapter driver if it's not already installed.

Device Manager - Find network device - Disable - Wait until network icon in bottom right corner goes to a computer with red x - Enable - Wait for connection