Identify issues with your Wi-Fi adapter.
Identify issues with your Wi-Fi adapter.
Hello, I'm working with a LENOVO_MT_80XL_BU_idea_FM_ideapad 320-15IKB on my system. Over the past year I've been using an Ethernet cable, but I didn't realize it was an issue until now. My laptop seems to ignore this feature. The Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 Wi-Fi adapter appears to be malfunctioning (see attached photo). I've tried turning it off and on, updated the drivers, and even reinstalled them, but the problem persists. After uninstalling the drivers, they now appear functional. This time I can see available networks, but connecting to Wi-Fi still gives no internet access—even though my home network works fine with multiple devices. I've checked the internet connection manually via the same adapter, and it loops the "identifying network" yet still reports no connection. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help.
The device includes a separate button to turn on Wi-Fi connectivity.
No options available, both physical and digital controls (using alt/function keys plus another key).
This is one of Intel's older dual-band AC wireless cards. My sister's Dell laptop came with it and it always ran slow on our WiFi network despite every other device not having the same issue. If all else fails, it might be time to upgrade the adapter. Open the laptop case and find the WiFi adapter. Release the retention screw and remove it completely. Make sure the contacts are clean, then reinsert into slot and secure again. Ensure the antenna cables have snapped in properly as well. Go through the process of uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers again. What wireless router/AP are you connecting to? What are the wireless settings on the router/AP?
This didn’t go as expected, I also checked ipconfig in cmd and here’s what it displayed. I’m not familiar with the process of updating drivers. I searched for "Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 Drivers" This link is what I found and downloaded the newest drivers from because it matches what was shown in the original post as well as something directly from Intel. For reference, I installed the top option available, which is the only driver listed for Windows 10. I’m a bit unsure if I got the right software since it indicates "Intel Wireless Bluetooth" instead of the intended version. There’s an alternative titled "Intel PROSet/Wireless software drivers for windows 8.1," but I didn’t download it because it’s for Windows 8 and I prefer not to take actions I’m not confident about.
You should focus on the necessary components and drivers. For the wireless AP/router, consider the default model from your ISP—check the router for OEM details if needed. A search suggests an EPON ONU might be relevant. Since you recently cleaned your laptop’s CPU fan, ensure the card is in good condition before testing.
Examine the back panel for the wireless adapter. Identify the laptop model then search for its disassembly or teardown on Google. The Intel AC-3165 is a M.2 2230 PCIe adapter. A similar replacement with comparable form factor and dual-band support should function (such as the Intel AX200). However, caution is needed: some manufacturers restrict their BIOS to only accept specific models, making research essential. This explains my doubt about the drivers installed. The 'Wireless Bluetooth' drivers cover only the Bluetooth side; the actual WiFi functionality relies on the PROSet. If Intel doesn’t list Windows 10 drivers, check the adapter’s hardware properties and use the online driver update feature (allow updates from Windows/Microsoft). That’s quite general information. Who is your ISP? Connecting to the ISP device should display its make/model details. On that page, review the WiFi settings for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz antennas.
Have you attempted to turn off IPv6? It seems your Wi-Fi adapter is functioning and you’re receiving a local IP address. There could be an overlap with another network device sharing the same IP or firewall/antivirus restrictions preventing internet access. Using tools like DriverHub might help locate the right drivers, or you can manually note hardware IDs.