# Wi-fi dropping on a new laptop. Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 4, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-dropping-on-a-new-laptop-why/937186 "2021-03-04T17:36:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-dropping-on-a-new-laptop-why/937186/41 "2021-05-10T18:32:00Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Microsoft has removed all of the things that seemed to be remedies, including the ability to adjust power management manually. Try this: -Click Start -Type: device manager -Click on Device Manager -Look for Network Adapters, click the \> to the left of Network Adapters -Look for your Wifi adapter, it should be called “Intel Wifi”, “Intel Wireless”, something of that. -Right-click on it and pick Properties -Left click on the Power Management tab. -Uncheck the box that says “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” It’s a long shot but shouldn’t hurt anything to try. Only downside would be increased battery consumption if you run on battery and leave the computer idling a lot. You can always see if it helps the disconnect issue, if not check the box again. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2021, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-dropping-on-a-new-laptop-why/937186/42 "2021-05-12T16:37:35Z")
Standing RF waves emanate from the Earth and move out into space. They can and do interfere with wireless signals. Move your WiFi source a foot or so. Reboot. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2021, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-dropping-on-a-new-laptop-why/937186/43 "2021-06-01T04:08:08Z")
I think I have found the problem: Intel wi-fi cards/drivers…are shit. I’ve had this same problem now with multiple Windows 10 and Intel wi-fi cards, and on different networks. Intel, whatever the fuck you’re doing with your wi-fi…ain’t working. I have a Windows 7 from 2011, and it’s no problem. It’s stable. But Windows 10 and next gen Intel cards are shyte on multiple computers. Sometimes I can’t even reconnect on multiple attempts. It’s horrible. Worse, MS has removed some of the quick fixes that might have worked in the past (power settings, etc). Solution? Ethernet. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2021, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-dropping-on-a-new-laptop-why/937186/44 "2021-06-01T14:11:36Z")
Or if you want to use WiFi but don’t want to use the built-in WiFi antenna, you can get one that connects to a USB port. At the same time, you can disable the built-in WiFi antenna in the BIOS. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2021, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-dropping-on-a-new-laptop-why/937186/45 "2021-06-01T19:15:14Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > At the same time, you can disable the built-in WiFi antenna in the BIOS. You don’t have to dig that deep, it’s sufficient to deactivate the wifi driver in device manager. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-fi-dropping-on-a-new-laptop-why/937186.md?page=2)