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If your Windows laptop’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth disappear after waking up from sleep but return after a restart, it’s likely due to a driver problem or incorrect power management settings. Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to fix this.
1Disable Link State Power Management in Settings
Link State Power Management (LSPM) is a power-saving feature that reduces power consumption when PCIe devices, such as network adapters, are not in use. However, this setting can also cause the network devices to disappear when resuming from sleep, as Windows might fail to wake them properly.
To fix this, you can safely disable LSPM in your Power Plan Settings with minimal impact on your power consumption. Here’s how:
After the restart, your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth adapters should remain available even after your laptop wakes from sleep. I’ve tested and confirmed this solution works on an HP Pavilion gaming laptop.
2Uninstall the Latest Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Drivers
If your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth still disappear after sleep, the issue may be caused by a buggy driver update. Rolling back to an older and more stable driver version can help fix the problem. To roll back your Bluetooth driver, follow these steps:
To uninstall the Wi-Fi driver, follow these steps:
Reinstall the Older Version of the Drivers
Assuming the latest drivers were buggy or didn’t work with your network adapters, installing an older version of the driver can help. you’re able to download previous drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
For example, if your laptop uses Intel Bluetooth and Wi-Fi adapters, visitIntel’s Download Center, select the Wireless category, and download an earlier version of the driver. Then, run the MSI installer or setup file and follow the on-screen instructions.
3Perform a System Reset
If the problem is due to corruption or missing system files, a factory reset can help. Windows 10 and 11 let youreset your PC without losing your data, but your apps and other settings will be removed.
Now, before you reset,create a backup of your Windows computer. You can also export a list of apps installed on your computer to a text file using the Windows Package Manager. To export a list of your installed apps, do this:
To reset your PC:
Windows will download the latest version of the operating system from the cloud (if you usedCloud install) and reset your computer. After the reset, install the latest drivers and check if the issue is resolved.
4Keep Your PC Awake
As a quick workaround, you can prevent your PC from going to sleep to avoid losing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. You canuse PowerToy’s Awake to keep your PC awake indefinitelywhile allowing you to manually put it to sleep when needed.
Start bydownloading PowerToysfrom Microsoft Store. Launch the app, expandAdvanced Tools > Awake > Enable awake. Then, underBehaviour, set theModetoKeep awake indefinitely.
5Check for Hardware Issues
Identifying hardware issues can be tricky, especially if the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices work after a restart. Before taking your laptop to a service center, try these steps to identify hardware issues.
One easy way to check for hardware-related issues is by testing your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on a different operating system. This iswhy I always keep a Linux Live USB handy,as I can use the Try Ubuntu option to test the operating system without installing it first.
To do this,create a bootable Bootable USB with the Ubuntu Linux distro, boot into Ubuntu Live, and then use the Try Ubuntu option. Check if the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are working in the live mode. If they do, it’s not your hardware but software that’s causing the problem.
Do a Wiggle Test
A wiggle test helps determine if a hardware issue is caused by a loose connection. To perform the test, put your laptop into sleep mode, then gently press around the bottom case, especially near the Wi-Fi adapter. Finally, wake the laptop and check if the Wi-Fi connects. If it does, it could be a loose internal connection and an easy fix if you’re comfortable opening your laptop up.
If the issue persists despite these fixes, contact your computer manufacturer for support. If your device is still under warranty, you may be eligible for a repair or replacement.
