Answer

If your MSI notebook experiences an unstable Wi-Fi connection, frequent disconnections, inability to connect, or the wireless adapter displays “Code 10: This device cannot start” in Device Manager, refer to the following information and troubleshooting methods.

This article applies to all MSI notebooks.

Before Starting

Before troubleshooting, confirm the following:

• If system optimization tools, automatic driver update tools, or other third-party driver management software are installed, completely uninstall them first to prevent driver installation conflicts.

• If the wireless network driver needs to be reinstalled, download the driver corresponding to the notebook model and operating system version before disconnecting from the network.

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Download the wireless network driver
   
   Go to the MSI official website, search for the full model name of the notebook, open the product support page, and download the corresponding wireless network driver.


2. Manually run Windows Update
   
   Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and run Windows Update until no additional updates are available, including optional updates.
   
   Disconnect from the network and do not reconnect until the remaining steps have been completed.


3. Perform a full shutdown (left-click the Windows icon


4. Perform an EC reset
   
   Refer to [Notebook] How to Reset the Embedded Controller (EC Reset).
   
   *To confirm that the EC reset has been completed, press the power button before connecting the AC adapter and make sure the computer does not start. If the computer starts after the power button is pressed, perform the EC reset again.


5. Connect the AC adapter and press the power button to start the system.


6. Remove the wireless network adapter driver
   
   - If you are using an Intel Killer wireless adapter, refer to [How To] Uninstall/Install the Killer Driver and Killer Control Center.
   
   - If you are using another wireless adapter, refer to [How To] Install/Update the Wireless LAN (WLAN) Driver.


7. (Optional) Apply the Intel-recommended connectivity settings in Device Manager
   
   - 802.11ac connectivity
   
   - 802.11ax connectivity

FAQ

Q: Why should I disconnect from the network before reinstalling the driver?

A: Disconnecting from the network prevents Windows Update from automatically installing another driver version after the old driver is removed, reducing the possibility of version conflicts or interruptions during the installation process.

Q: Which settings will be removed by a network reset?

A: A network reset removes and reinstalls the network adapters and restores the related network settings to their default values. After the reset, you may need to re-enter the Wi-Fi password and reinstall or reconfigure VPN client software, Hyper-V virtual switches, and other virtual networking software.