Dell laptop wireless keeps shutting off.

I have a Dell Studio laptop and aside from the backlit keyboard I hate it.

The wireless keeps shutting down and using the troubleshoot tool only fixes it about half the time, the other half a have to restart the whole thing. Some days it's fine, others I'm restarting every 30 minutes.

I can't find any fixes online, which is ok since I'm a bit dense when it comes to computers.


It also overheats and shuts down a lot when using flash heavy applications, even though there is no dust in the vents and it sits on a hard surface in a cool room.


Anyone able to give me some tips?

Can't really afford a new one right now and taking it in is almost half the cost of a new one.

you know what, my other half had the same problem and I am almost sure it was the same laptop.

It was old, really old, she got it second hand, refurbished, was fine for a while then the wireless just stopped working, took it back to the shop and they fixed it.

It was fine for a while but then broke again (this time after the 1 year warranty).

Was really strange sometimes her laptop would pick up the wireless signal then she would turn it off come back and she would have no internet access for like a week.

We knew there was no problem with the internet connection because all other devices where working. My guess was that it was to do with the drivers but i never got round to reinstalling them because i am very lazy so i dont know for sure.

but i dont know, but if I where you I would be looking at updating or reinstalling the drivers

will be interesting to see what they tech guru's of ATS have to say about this.

Check the PC clock/date setting it can mess up the wireless.

Download Speedfan to check for overheating, it shows the temps for varius processors, harddisk and so on, make sure to uncheck the searchengines and crap that it offers to install, if it offers them.

SPEEDFAN

a reply to: Hmmmmmmm

I had issues too with mine, bit it turned out to be the router/modem combo. A new router fixed that!

Yeah, try updating a driver or two.

Ask your provider if the internet connection is stable. Maybe they'll do some tests for you.

There is sometimes a switch on the side of the laptop that can switch the wireless off.

Also there is sometimes a function key at the top of the keyboard that switches the wireless off.

Either of these can get knocked by accident. Ive seen lots of laptops where people claim the wireless has stopped working and its just one of these two problems.

What model is the laptop?

Check your ac adapter for rf interference?

I had one that was emitting rf interference...it took like 3 days to determine the source as to why my mouse-pad on my laptop would malfunction...

I was burning sage thinking I had a ghost.

My Mac is four years old (in May) and it still runs just as good as it did when I got it.

Ditch the PC and go Mac! You'll be happy you did! You might even find a refurbished one for a good price.

Edited to add that I also had a Dell that I spent a LOT of money on that just quit working one day...That's when I called Apple and ordered my Macbook Pro.

Dell studio laptop switch on the Left hand side.

Numbers reference image above:
1- WiFi Catcher Network Locator
2- Wireless Switch Off Position
3- Wireless Switch On Position

WiFi Catcher Network Locator Information

Press the WiFi Catcher Network Locator button (1) for a few seconds to scan specifically for wireless networks in your vicinity.

The WiFi Catcher Network Locator has a light that operates as follows:

Flashing white: Searching for networks
Solid white for 10 seconds and then turns off: Network found
Off (flashing white turns off after 10 blinks): No signal found

The WiFi Catcher Network Locator is enabled and configured for use when the computer is shipped. For more information on the WiFi Catcher Network Locator and to enable the feature through Dell QuickSet, right-click the QuickSet icon in the notification area, and then select Help.

sourc e

originally posted by: lovebeck
My Mac is four years old (in May) and it still runs just as good as it did when I got it.

Ditch the PC and go Mac! You'll be happy you did! You might even find a refurbished one for a good price.

Edited to add that I also had a Dell that I spent a LOT of money on that just quit working one day...That's when I called Apple and ordered my Macbook Pro.

PC and MAC use pretty much the same hardware manufactures, minus some different architecture on some components. I've had my PC custom built by myself for over 7 years now and all of the main components still work fine minus the hard drive. Apple tends to be highly overpriced for what you get.

Please don't perpetuate apple based on it's good "cuz i say so"

To the OP: Try calling your ISP so they can test your router/modem combo. If the modem and/or router is still working fine then you could have a faulty wireless network adapter, which in that case you can purchase a USB wireless adapter for cheap.

Laptops were never built for long time use day after day.. They DO and WILL overheat.. If that happens enough you can really screw a laptop up

Okay, this MIGHT be the issue, as Ive seen it over and over again.

On the keyboard, near the function keys, is a key that will disable the wifi.

On the Dell I7000 series this happens all the time, people return them because the wifi keeps turning off.

Every single time its been the Wifi toggle being hit, once it is, nothing in software will turn it on, only hitting the button again.

Its a stupid design and should be a switch not a normal key, check if that might be the issue.

(hardware wifi toggles are the worse, but its for airplane flight etc)

originally posted by: Hmmmmmmm
I have a Dell Studio laptop and aside from the backlit keyboard I hate it.

The wireless keeps shutting down and using the troubleshoot tool only fixes it about half the time, the other half a have to restart the whole thing. Some days it's fine, others I'm restarting every 30 minutes.

I can't find any fixes online, which is ok since I'm a bit dense when it comes to computers.


It also overheats and shuts down a lot when using flash heavy applications, even though there is no dust in the vents and it sits on a hard surface in a cool room.


Anyone able to give me some tips?

Can't really afford a new one right now and taking it in is almost half the cost of a new one.

Does the wireless switch off randomly or is there something that happens just before the wireless switches off such as the machine comes out of hibernation?

There is no hard switch, it's an action key, F2. And I'm never near it when it shuts off.

My router was replaced about 6 weeks ago, netgear.


I've had Acers and Mac's before this dell, to be honest the Acers were the most reliable. One of the drivers went out on my Mac after 2 years and to fix it was going to be almost 500, so I just ponied up the 600 and bought this Dell.

Really wish I'd bought an Acer again.


Tried to find driver updates at the Dell website but none were for my unit.


It's frustrating, and random, doesn't seem to matter what I'm doing.


Also have had my ISP come out and test my modem, everything tested well. I have cable and it's very reliable and pretty fast.

originally posted by: Hmmmmmmm
There is no hard switch, it's an action key, F2. And I'm never near it when it shuts off.

My router was replaced about 6 weeks ago, netgear.


I've had Acers and Mac's before this dell, to be honest the Acers were the most reliable. One of the drivers went out on my Mac after 2 years and to fix it was going to be almost 500, so I just ponied up the 600 and bought this Dell.

Really wish I'd bought an Acer again.


Tried to find driver updates at the Dell website but none were for my unit.


It's frustrating, and random, doesn't seem to matter what I'm doing.

Just guessing but

Im leaning toward hardware failure, perhaps with heat, loosening the soldered connections for the actual wifi card on the mobo.

If its not with task specfic items, (an exact software item makes it happen) may be is on eventual failure from heat the longer you have it on. It would explain the randomness of it, being down to just when it reaches that right temp to cause some failure in the card.

Either through connections or the device hardware itself.

a reply to: Hmmmmmmm

500 to fix a driver issue, you were getting ripped off.

if its not the function key or your web connection then its either a hardware problem or more likely you need to reinstall or up date your drivers.

a reply to: benrl

I had this same issue about a year ago when it was 6 months old, but then it went away.


I'm in end stage kidney failure so I'm laying down for 18+ hours a day (including a little sleep) and this laptop is on my nightstand. So it does get some heavy use.


I appreciate the help guys, this has been a headscratcher.


I bought a cooling pad to put under it that has 2 fans, but it didn't really stop the overheat shutdowns.

Today I've only had to reboot once in 6 hours, some days are none, but then days like yesterday come up. I was watching liveleak and it was shutting off every 5 minutes.

a reply to: OtherSideOfTheCoin

Parts were 3 labor was 2.

We only have one computer guy in our area and he's not shy about billing.

He has a 100 dollar minimum charge for the first look see.

originally posted by: Hmmmmmmm
a reply to: OtherSideOfTheCoin

Parts were 3 labor was 2.

We only have one computer guy in our area and he's not shy about billing.

He has a 100 dollar minimum charge for the first look see.

A cheap fix, would be an 40 dollar usb wifi dongle.

Cheaper than repair.

a reply to: Hmmmmmmm

the dirvers are software not hardware you should be able to update them or reinstall them.

No parts required.