Upgrading to Windows 11 doesn't allow access to old Wi-Fi connections.
Upgrading to Windows 11 doesn't allow access to old Wi-Fi connections.
Hello, I changed my laptop [Acer Aspire E 15 (E5-576G-5762)] from Windows 10 to Windows 11, but it won’t connect to the networks I used before. The Wi-Fi I normally use is provided by my apartment building and a public library. I can see other people’s private networks, but not the ones I previously connected to. My laptop has an Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3168 card. I thought the problem was with the driver since the last update was in 2017, especially since there were no issues before the upgrade. I checked Acer’s site and Intel’s driver page, downloaded the files, and installed them, but when I check Device Manager, the driver still shows the 2017 version without updating. It’s unclear if the issue is with Windows or the driver; any advice would be helpful!
Right-click the Wi-Fi icon near the clock. Select Network and Internet settings. Then choose Wi-Fi, manage known networks, and metered network. Now adjust the known network settings and delete any connections you previously added. Finally, attempt to connect to the networks again.
I should have mentioned that earlier, but I missed the networks and checked if they’d reconnect, which didn’t work. I thought I’d follow @Timme’s advice but was hoping there was some software available first. If I need to swap it out, should I focus on cards with a similar Board Form Factor? I’m not sure what I’m looking for to check compatibility with the laptop’s motherboard. Also, moving from Windows 10 to 11 caused me to lose access to only a few WiFi networks—this seems odd.
It seems the issue isn't with the Wi-Fi card itself. If only the Windows 11 upgrade was applied, the operating system might be altering how the network is recognized. Have you attempted using the CMD prompt for release/renew and a DNS flush? You could also remove the NIC drivers, let Windows reinstall them, or use the provided installation files to restore it. The replacement method varies—depending on whether the board's Wi-Fi module is connected via an NVMe interface (like the M.2 2230 slot). Here’s an example link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/235893556004?ch...bSEALw_wcB. This is the card you’re considering for a replacement. The Wi-Fi modules in most devices have remained consistent over the past decade, with most pre-built systems using this type of card. This is the exact model your laptop currently has (based on some research).
I tried the advice you all provided: cleared the DNS, but that didn’t help. I changed the random MAC address in the WiFi settings, yet nothing worked. I also reinstalled the WiFi drivers. Checking the "Advanced" section of Device Manager shows the highlighted values in blue—those are the current settings. So far, these steps haven’t resolved the issue.