Out of troubleshooting ideas... Feedback, please! Constant Connectivity/Speed issues w/ AC 9560

[drewb01687]

Glad to see when I finally get desperate enough and in a time crunch and turn to a user forum that I'm not the only one with the issue!!! I've been using/troubleshooting PCs at an above intermediate level for 25 years and, I believe, at this point, that I have far more time dedicated to this solution than any others get close to comparing to. This is my third attempt after failing over the course of 6-10 weeks of putting time into it while trying to use the device normally. The first resorted to the entire PC getting thrown in the corner for 9 months after believing I had a manageable workaround that provided the functionality a this one lacked as a PC in 2023 that doesn't like to connect to my network (the only device ever!) and after I get it to just by fidgeting with it (turning Wi-Fi off and on or disabling and enabling the adapter or uninstalling and installing the driver and attempting some combination of these with similar methods, at least, twice after every reboot), it'll connect as if there was never a problem only at abysmal speeds, a fifth of any other device on the same network and three or four within five feet of it, and the connectivity issues are gone until I restart the machine.

Everything is updated and has been for 15 months worth of BIOS/UEFI, Windows, and AC 9560 updates. Persists after Fresh Starts, network and local resets, and formats and installation from the most recent factory installation image (the last of which was performed 4 days ago). It also persists at every point through the update process from Windows 10 Pro factory image to the current Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview Dev Build 26120.1843 and has remained consistent the entire duration of use since acquiring the original device it was installed in, a Optiplex 7060 Micro, secondhand April of 2023 resulting in not using the computer for much of that time and using a different one that are always in a state of some level of needing repair (not because I'm not capable of it but there's 3-5 that have and cannot keep up with perpetual Window/PC problems on that many myself in my free time, especially when I have an Android device that never presents any issues under more frequent use and is far more secure without any maintenance or antivirus/malware scanner ever being installed on it and gets used for the important things like banking apps and crypto wallets that Windows cannot be trusted with!

This network adapter issue fails to make logical sense in the extreme troubleshooting measures that I've taken over this time in any way that I can determine and is usually my forte. I am under the current assumption after running into probably the second most perplexing problem I'd ever had troubleshooting and repairing PC issues concurrently on the same device with the best workaround I'd discovered and been using (and remains as both despite this).  Though, both are related to having network and internet access via a network adapter, neither after troubleshooting seem to actually be network adapter problems but symptoms of something else.

The 9560's problem appears at face value as a network adapter problem or network-related issues.  Network issues unlikely, since for over two years with the current ISP, modem/router, and network settings, I've failed to have any other network issues with any other device and there's 56 currently connected. I connects, after the fidgeting, at 5GHz. It is 20 feet from the router with only 2 interior, studded, drywall walls between them. Also, as mentioned, my Google Pixel 7 Pro, Google Nest speaker, Hisense Android TV, and, at least, one other PC, usually my Lenovo Thinkpad L14 Gen 2 20X1, are all within five feet of it and connected to the same network and all function as expected.

However, when removed from from the 7060 and installed in both, that laptop or one of two Optiplex 7450 AIO's at my disposal and in the same location on the same network, both the connectivity and subsequent speed issues never present in 48 hours. With the devices as the most relevant variable remaining in order to narrow the issue down to the hardware, driver, or something else specific to the adapter, it no longer presents as a network adapter problem, either.

If it isn't an issue with the router or network itself or the network adapter and persists through multiple Windows installations and versions along with over a year's worth of updates for every part of the PC and is consistent for the length of time that it has been providing no further insights itself, that doesn't leave me with much left to check into. Normally, that would be a good sign that I was close to resolving, but not true this time!

Back to the workaround and it's issue... Despite the result of both of these problems related to network/internet connectivity and them both being network adapters, as previously stated, there seemed to not be anything connecting the two in regards how they performed their function, what was occurring resulting in the connectivity issues, or the connectivity issue itself and seemed obvious rather quickly. I had been working both independently until the second problem with the workaround became equally as puzzling after rigorous troubleshooting as the issue with the other adapter. 

A brief explanation into this second problem, since I can imagine it being difficult to understand drawing the conclusion that two network adapters in the same PC having connection problems are not linked and leading to my current working assumption and latest pieces of this puzzle. Hopefully someone with more fundamental technical knowledge and experience can save everyone a large amount of time and draw through my detailed and extensive troubleshooting (that rarely lets me down and puts me in such a position as this) a logical conclusion that I fail to based primarily on the account I've given or can recommend something left for me to troubleshoot. Its obvious that I'm not the only one with a similar experience, but I failed to find much of value besides posts of it occurring in the way of someone's brilliant resolution.

Not looking good for Intel, or, possibly Dell, in my case, the workaround was a nearly 20 year old Atheros AR9271 USB Wi-Fi adapter that's driver was last updated in 2010, I think, that I had purchased for $11 on Amazon several years ago and I had laying around. An adapter I have used in 6-8 different machines over the years and with the exception of being limited to IEEE 802.11b/g/n at 2.4GHz and no Bluetooth support has always provided what I needed it to and easily installed on any computer with a USB to provide instantaneous Wi-Fi connectivity. The last driver update being so long ago that I had never had need on any Windows or Linux computer for it's installation software.

It performed as it always had, for two and a half hours. Within three seconds of inserting into a free USB port, it had appeared with its driver installed in the available network adapters. Simply choosing a network and providing its credentials had solved both the connectivity issues and slow speeds with the other adapter and took 15 seconds start to finish (except locating it in the first place). Then after a couple hours of functioning and providing a connection at the levels of expectation and never having had an issue with it before, it failed in a strange way. Giving no sign that there was any issue, it would go from perfect to nothing at all instantaneously and spontaneously, it would turn out. It would either fail to show any available networks or disappear from the device manager all together. I found no solution to this to restore its functionality--everything that appeared to be working would result in the wonderful "device descriptor" error that is randomly prevalent using the USB with Windows 10/11. The fix itself was not difficult and didn't take much time but was impractical for modern PC functioning and the home server purpose I was going to use it for and not even presently so for maintaining my constant queue of downloads. I only needed to take a brief couple of seconds to remove it from its port and immediately I could reinsert it and seconds later be back to perfect connectivity. However to maintain anything like a constant, unsupervised internet connection this had to be done 8-12 times per 24 hours lasting 3 hours maximum. When tested in the same two machines that I've already mentioned for the 9560, this AR9271 still functioned as it always had, reliably with no downtime. All appearances, experiences, and troubleshooting would lead me to believing it to be a USB Controller and not anything in regards to the network or the other adapter. Simply coincidence that the result was similar.

I have found very few relatable documented experiences online to refer to and the same basic resolutions to those that all relate to a network adapter or router issue. Though, seemingly two problems with two separate causes and a fair amount of coincidence, after extensive time into troubleshooting this matter independently but concurrently with the other problem and only needing to solve one for my goal of a useful network connection to be obtained, I'm forced by logic and probability to conclude that which otherwise I would not. The chances that two of my most perplexing issues that both seem to defy logic and the way I've basically fixed every other PC-related problem for over 25 years that is mostly unrealized in past experiences. Any other time that an issue seems to not relate with the patterns and logic inherent in hardware and software issues is almost always the result of a virus, malware, or trojan and easy to diagnose because of the patterned, logical nature of the tech. This is none of those, either.  

I finally thought a found a resolution online through research since troubleshooting was nearing a dead-end. It was a single account in a forum describing the only problem I had found detailed and similar enough to mine and their solution, when posted several months after the original (and with few comments), was something I hadn't seen, made sense, and had not tried already to think there was any hope of it applying. It pointed to manufacturer software that had intended to optimize but instead was preventing its proper function. (I failed to mention but had eliminated software conflicts since it occurred no differently immediately following a reset or format and reinstallation of Windows since nothing had been installed, but if it was manufacturer software present in the factory image this would have caused a false negative that I hadn't considered.) No change, though, after removing every piece of software related to the network that I could find. Confirming with another reinstallation from the most debloated Windows 10/11 installation that I could find and was not related to Dell or Intel and failed to get a different result even from Safe Mode with Networking with this installation, either.

I had two other devices go down in the previous three weeks resulting in the need for only this network adapter after first resorting to, for immediate time and convenience, returning the 7060 back into service since it has always performed perfectly with exception to this and I could be back to work in less than 15 minutes. (It's also been down most of the time I've had it when it's either my best machine or tied with this Optiplex 5090 that I still needed to finish with it's fix that I turned to next, so vastly disappointing, too!) It was the second machine I lost. I'd had this 5090 almost as long, but didn't have it functioning, either. So hardware-wise having my two best already excluded from the line up the entire time I had owned them not being able to fix this problem with the 7060's practical use and knowing nothing of modern hardware security design and function when determined that the 5090 was Bitlocker encrypted with a TPM 2.0 and I didn't have the Windows login credentials that it was probably beyond my capability to overcome. (It sat in the corner for 10 months due to overestimating the TPM assuming theft-deterrence and data integrity with the data protection that didn't exist. It took only small amount of research, factory installation media, and less than twenty minutes of preparation before ready to install and have a functioning Windows OS only needing to wipe the disk and clear the TPM from the UEFI as not only lacking theft-deterrence, it could have cared less  about even retaining the encrypted data and deleting it only not allowing unauthorized access to the data's content which I did not expect.)

Feeling rather stupid and ignorant after this, I had the 5090 ready for action in short time. However, it lacked wireless capabilities and I was far further than 20 feet from the router if a wired solution was needed and didn't have 50 feet of CAT5 cable lating around after it having been so long since I'd used some for purposes at home. Never fear, I had the adapter from the 7060 which had previous worked fine in other devices. and an empty WLAN M.2 slot inside this Micro PC and I could install it to start getting my Windows 10 updates and 11 upgrade rolling along. It didn't automatically install drivers after booting following the installation, so I pulled out the AR9271 again. For the first time, it failed to have its drivers automatically installed after inserting. So, I tethered and shared my connection from my phone and then downloaded and installed the AC 9560's drivers.

The AC 9560 worked as expected connecting immediately and at normal speeds until rebooting the computer. Since, I've gotten nothing from it and fails to identify any available networks. Windows Troubleshooter and Dell Diagnostics fail to find and problem and state that it is functioning normally. I assure you, it is not! Resorting, once again, to the AR9271, it establishes a network and internet connection, but, again, it will begin failing. Both adapters, again, having different issues that result in the same problem and both adapters presenting completely different symptoms and nature of their failures than in the 7060. The the effect that I would think I had and third and fourth adapter that I'd installed in this PC and was now troubleshooting. I assure you, that is not the case, either! They'd both be in the garbage, if not still functioning perfectly in my mother's 7450. (The Lenovo was the first machine that went down that lead to this.) 

Completely lost and confused! I cannot identify any pattern that leads to a solution, only further confusion and questions. The 5090 is very similar in many appearances to the 7060, but has a different board, a different model and generation Intel processor, and NVMe SSD and lacks a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth adapter and has an odd factory DisplayPort daughterboard, so is different enough to not make this similarity expected when not presented in two other devices, one of which is also a Dell computer.

So what is this? Why is this? HOW DO I FIX IT!?!? I could care less about understanding any of it, at this point, if I could simply follow someone's instructions to make it stop!

(The laptop's issue does not appear to be anything less than catastrophic relating to power and is already in as many pieces as it can be to examine to test the internal battery, confirm integrity of the port that attaches the power adapter to the motherboard, and examine the motherboard for evidence of fire/heat damage which allowed me to install the SSD in the 5090 and recover some data I'd decided to wipe when performing the reset to factory condition of its Windows installation which it was out of commission waiting on my time for the fix when the power issue presented. How you get a catastrophic failure resulting in no power to a device that you shutdown 3 weeks earlier and haven't booted since and has battery conservation considerations taken, I'm not sure about, either. But it occurred to me while composing this that I can use its network adapter similarly to its SSD to get some function from "it." It was my most reliable and primary device and hurts the most having out of function, but I'm sure that adapter will fix this problem and the one in the 7060 since the other adapter worked in it. My logic may be slightly fallible there, but I'm currently believing there's a conflict with some components on the motherboard of these Dell Micro PCs that instigate the problems with both adapters in both machines. I don't understand exactly what plane it would be on that it was common enough for the quantity of posts I've seen on this forum, but rarely mentioned elsewhere on the internet and Dell Support denies having any knowledge of occurring, but rare enough that it gets through R&D, testing, and several years availability to consumers without a fix or any related "known issues" on either the PC or hardware manufacturers support sites, and I've now experienced on two different devices. My guess would be along the same lines as why I'm using a user forum for insight and there's no support for questions and issues for the products the manufacturer is selling and how since that trend in opposition to the customer-is-always-right and any interest in their customer's satisfaction or demonstrating customer appreciation has removed most of their accountability and results at the same time it has gotten nearly impossible with any company to get adequate support which used to be included in the cost of the product or service to a large rise in distributing low-quality products and services. So, when support is needed the most it's nowhere to be found! This lack of support availability and my experience during these times in some related matters lead me to concluding that they are well-aware of this and since they're not fixing it, it is by design, and they are not offering support because they know they could never keep up with the demand and would have to be accountable and not impugnable, as it seems they think they are. Regularly making decisions to increase profit margin largely at their customers expense and choosing to keep doing it.

The motherboard is the only thing I can identify that is still likely to be a cause. Fitting all the data, observations, and evidence. Due to the nature of a motherboard, though, unless software-related, not much of a "fix," but an expensive replacement that leaves entire device replacement as the most practical and efficient "solution." Somebody tell me the obvious things that I've missed and that this is not the case and help me fix this problem, please!

[Ernesto_C_Intel1]

Hi drewb01687,

Thank you for posting in Intel Communities. 

Before we proceed, please note that this is an OEM device, we will try to assist you with general troubleshooting steps even if it’s something not traditionally covered in our support. However, if the issue still persists, you will have to contact the Original Equipment Manufacturer of your device. Your device manufacturer may have altered features, incorporated customizations, or made other changes to some components for better compatibility with your system.

These errors in Device Manager for Bluetooth or Wireless (Wi-Fi) Devices can be caused by many different issues. Usually, a Code 10/43 error is a temporary error, generated when Device Manager can't start the hardware device. However this error is considered a generic message indicating an unspecified problem.

This most commonly occurs after running a Windows* Update that includes Wi-Fi or Bluetooth updates. 

A Code 10, 22, 28, 31, 43, or 45 error in Device Manager can occur when:

> Bluetooth cannot be enabled

> In Device Manager, there is a Yellow bang (!, exclamation point) next to the Bluetooth or Wireless (Wi-Fi) device

> In Device Manager, the properties of the Bluetooth or Wireless device shows status = "This device cannot start. (Code 10)STATUS_DEVICE_POWER_FAILURE”

Intel has written extensively on this type of issue on our online article: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000031150/wireless/wireless-software.html

I would like to clarify the following items on your extensive post: 

1. Is the Intel® Wireless-AC 9560 installed in the Dell OptiPlex 7060? 

2. You've previously mentioned removing the Intel® Wireless-AC 9560 from the customer and install the NIC to a laptop and to one of two Optiplex 7450 AIO's at your disposal. Doing this you found out that there is no issue connectivity with wireless card for 48 hours. May I know if you tried installing another known working wireless card with the system that has the Intel® Wireless-AC 9560

3. Have you tried contacting the manufacturer of the system where the Intel® Wireless-AC 9560 was originally installed? 

Since we're already at the topic of wireless integration, Installation or use of Intel® Wireless Adapters is subject to country-specific legal regulations. Some countries require the Intel® Wireless Adapters to be certified with the antenna that is intended to be used together in the system, while some countries require the Intel® Wireless Adapter to be certified at the full system level. For example, in the US, the official rules governing the use of antennas with certified modules is covered under rule parts 15.203, 15.247 and 15.407. These can be accessed and/or downloaded at the FCC site.

As each country may have different regulatory requirements, before you install/change the Intel® Wireless Adapter in a system, you must contact the system manufacturer to determine if the Intel® Wireless Adapters you plan to install is approved for use in your system and country. You are required to follow the manufacturer's post-approval requirements.

Source: Regulatory Information Regarding Wireless Hardware Installation or Upgrade - https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005687/wireless.html

Regards, 

Ernesto C. 

Intel Customer Support Engineer

[Ernesto_C_Intel1]

Hi @drewb01687,

I haven't received your response from my previous message. Let me know if you need more time to answer?

Regards, 

Ernesto C.

Intel Customer Support Engineer

[Ernesto_C_Intel1]

Hi @drewb01687, 

I haven't received your response on my posts. I'll go ahead and close this case now.

Feel free to create a new thread or contact Intel Customer Support directly.

Regards, 

Ernesto C.

Intel Customer Support Engineer