INF file missing reinstalling wifi drivers

[MaxM2]

I have an Inspiron 7586 that has stopped finding wifi networks on Windows 11. The wifi icon is not showing on the system menu in the bottom right corner, and when attempting to troubleshoot I only get the error that I am "connected using a virtual adapter". I went to network devices and uninstalled the Intel 9560AC wireless driver along with the bluetooth drivers. I re-downloaded the latest drivers off of the Intel website on a USB from a working computer and ran the install for the bluetooth and wifi drivers. Now they don't show up under the network devices menu, I still do not have wifi capability, and it says that there was a missing INF file when attempting to install them manually from the network devices menu. Any help? I restarted the computer numerous times to no avail. 

[JedG_Intel]

Hello MaxM2,

Thank you for posting on Intel Community Forum

Based on everything you've shared, it looks like the wireless adapter may not be fully recognized by the system after the driver removal, which is why we're seeing the missing INF file error and the adapter not appearing in Device Manager. Let's work through this step by step.

Step 1 – Check for Hidden Devices in Device Manager First, let's see if the adapter is still present but hidden. Open Device Manager, click on View at the top, and select Show Hidden Devices. Look under Network Adapters or Other Devices for the Intel Wireless-AC 9560. If it appears with a yellow exclamation mark (!), please let me know the exact error code shown in its properties — this will help us narrow things down.

Step 2 – Try Dell's Official Drivers First Since your Inspiron 7586 is a Dell system, I'd recommend trying Dell's own drivers before the generic Intel ones, as they are specifically validated for your system. You can find them here: Dell Inspiron 7586 Driver 22.150.1.1

Step 3 – Perform a Proper Clean Driver Installation To make sure there are no leftover files causing conflicts.

Step 4 – Check BIOS Settings It's also worth verifying that Wi-Fi hasn't been disabled at the BIOS level. Also make sure that the BIOS version is on the latest version 1.16.0

Step 5 – Install Pending Windows Updates Please also check for any pending Windows updates under Settings → Windows Update, as some updates include important driver and firmware fixes that could help resolve this.

If the issue persists after performing the steps above, kindly share the information below for further investigation.

1. What is the driver version/s that you downloaded and installed?

2. Are there any recent changes to the system before the issue occurred?

3. Is this the original adapter that came pre-installed in your system, or have you changed/installed a new adapter recently?

4. Screenshot of error/s that you are seeing. 

I look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[MaxM2]

Hi Jed,

Thanks for the initial response, I followed the steps you outlined to perform a clean driver install. I also updated the laptop's BIOS to 1.16 as it was in fact on an earlier build. I still am running into similar issues however, and when attempting to install the Dell drivers that you pointed me towards, I am given errors regarding the system administrator even though when I attempt the install I make sure to run the program as administrator. Attached are screenshots which can hopefully help us pinpoint what's really going on under the hood. 

When attempting to troubleshoot the network through the Windows troubleshooter, I only get the virtual network adapter message. For the Bluetooth driver I was able to complete the install, but on the device manager page I still get error 10. The original AC9560 wireless adapter no longer shows under device manager even with hidden devices shown as in the screenshot. 

- MaxM2

[MaxM2]

I also forgot to mention that the wireless networks don't show up as an option on the quick menu in the bottom right corner like they usually do on most computers, just airplane mode and a few other features.

[JedG_Intel]

Hello MaxM2,

Thank you for following the troubleshooting steps I shared, and I'm sorry to hear that the issue is still occurring.

Since you're receiving an error when attempting to install the Dell drivers, could you please try installing the Intel generic drivers below to see if they make any difference?

Bluetooth Driver: Version 24.50.0

Wireless Driver: Version 24.50.0

I also wanted to follow up on a couple of questions from my previous message, as I may have missed your response:

1. Were there any recent changes made to the system before the issue started (such as Windows updates, driver updates, or hardware changes)?

2. Is this the original wireless adapter that came with the system, or has it been replaced or upgraded recently?

I look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[MaxM2]

Hi Jeb,

First off thanks for the help trying to resolve the issue. Secondly, the laptop had been on automatic windows update before the issue arose, and I believe started having issues sometime around February/March of this year. I attempted to install the Intel drivers that you linked in the last post and the install wizard finishes as normal but nothing shows up again under hidden devices in device manager and the bluetooth driver still has the error 10 code. The computer had the drivers that it came with originally which stopped working which was the AC wireless 9560. I removed it when attempting to do the clean driver installs before I posted on the forum, and now nothing shows under the network adapters at all besides what is there in the screenshot on the last post. To my knowledge it had not been tampered with before the issue arose originally.

Thanks,

MaxM2

[JedG_Intel]

Hello MaxM2,

Thank you for continuously providing your feedback and keeping me informed. To help me investigate this issue further, I have sent you an email requesting some additional information. Please check your inbox at your earliest convenience, and feel free to reply whenever you have a chance. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Jed G.

Intel Customer Support Technician