topic Re: WiFi adapter gets disabled when plugging in Ethernet cable in Wireless

WiFi adapter gets disabled when plugging in Ethernet cable

a_k_bluered — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 15:39:37 GMT

My system is Windows 11 on a Dell Precision 5560 Notebook with an Intel WiFi 6 AX201 adapter.

The problem is that when I plug in an Ethernet cable, the WiFi adapter gets automatically disabled. The computer does have a BIOS setting "Wireless Radio Control" which advertises just that behavior, but the setting is already disabled. Also, the disabling of the WiFi adapter isn't immediate. I can re-enable the adapter in device manager and it'll "survive" a few seconds before it gets disabled again by who-knows-what. I've also seen mention in a Dell knowledge base article of the Intel Administrator Toolset that might allow configuration of that behavior. But the only installer that allows installing this seems to be for Windows 7/8.

Re:WiFi adapter gets disabled when plugging in Ethernet cable

Steven_Intel — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 20:59:05 GMT

Hello a_k_bluered,

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.

In order to better assist you, please provide the following information:

Was this behavior not present before? If so, was there any hardware/driver/OS change before it started?
How are you re-enabling the Wi-Fi adapter in Device Manager?
Provide pictures/screenshots or a video showing the Wi-Fi being disabled once the Ethernet cable is connected.

Best regards,

Steven G.

Intel Customer Support Technician.

Re: WiFi adapter gets disabled when plugging in Ethernet cable

a_k_bluered — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 06:07:45 GMT

Hi Steven
The behavior was like this from the beginning. I've had this laptop for 3 months.
When the wireless device gets disabled, the context menu entry in the device manager for "Disable device" changes to "Enable device". To enable the device in device manager I click "Enable device" in the context menu of the device. The adapter also shows as disabled in the network adapter options (i.e. in Windows 11 network and internet settings->advanced network settings->more network adapter options). I found that trying to reenable it from there has exactly the same behavior as from device manager (i.e. it switches back to disabled after 1 or 2 seconds).

Re:WiFi adapter gets disabled when plugging in Ethernet cable

Steven_Intel — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 20:13:48 GMT

Thank you for your response.

I would like to research more about this. In order to do so, please download the Intel® SSU https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility-for-Windows-

Open the application and select "Everything", click on "Scan" to see the system and device information. By default, Intel® SSU will take you to the "Summary View". Click on the menu where it says "Summary" to change to "Detailed View". To save your scan, click on "Next", then "Save". Please attach the file to your reply.

Best regards,

Steven G.

Intel Customer Support Technician.

Re:WiFi adapter gets disabled when plugging in Ethernet cable

Steven_Intel — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 22:41:50 GMT

Were you able to check the previous post?

Let us know if you still need assistance.

Best regards,

Steven G.

Intel Customer Support Technician.

Re: Re:WiFi adapter gets disabled when plugging in Ethernet cable

a_k_bluered — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 13:00:47 GMT

Hi
Please find attached the info file.

Re: WiFi adapter gets disabled when plugging in Ethernet cable

a_k_bluered — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 13:03:32 GMT

Also, it is interesting to note that this issue does not occur under Linux (both interfaces can be used simultaneously, packets can be forwarded between them, etc.). Hence, this probably indicates a Windows driver/configuration issue.

Re:WiFi adapter gets disabled when plugging in Ethernet cable

Steven_Intel — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 15:33:23 GMT

Thank you for your response.

Please try a clean installation of the latest driver 22.160.0.4 (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19351/windows-10-and-windows-11-wi-fi-drivers-for-intel-wireless-adapters.html) and also the customized driver provided by Dell 22.160.0.3 (https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/precision-15-5560-laptop/drivers)

Please let me know of the outcome.

Best regards,

Steven G.

Intel Customer Support Technician.

Re:WiFi adapter gets disabled when plugging in Ethernet cable

Steven_Intel — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 21:43:36 GMT

Were you able to check the previous post?

Let us know if you still need assistance.

Best regards,

Steven G.

Intel Customer Support Technician.

Re:WiFi adapter gets disabled when plugging in Ethernet cable

Steven_Intel — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 22:02:09 GMT

Since we have not heard back from you, we will close this thread. If you need any additional information, please submit a new question, as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Best regards,

Steven G.

Intel Customer Support Technician.

Re:WiFi adapter gets disabled when plugging in Ethernet cable

Steven_Intel — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 21:25:06 GMT

Hello a_k_bluered,

Since there is an option that mentions this behavior on the BIOS, our best recommendation is to check this setting with the device manufacturer (OEM) for further assistance.

OEM contact information: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/contact-intel.html?tab=system-manufacturers

Please keep in mind that this thread will no longer be monitored by Intel. Thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,

Steven G.

Intel Customer Support Technician.