Windows 10 Random Disconnect Issue and Fixes

Since the launch of Windows 10 two months ago, over 75 million of users have installed Microsoft’s new Operating System (OS), so there is bound to be users who experience some issues. If you’re not worried about the privacy debacle, Windows 10 is an excellent OS; unless of course it keeps randomly disconnecting you from the internet.

Windows 10 could disconnect you from the internet at random times, forcing you to restart your router and sometimes your PC as well to get back online. For users who leave their PC on during the night to download software or gamers who play online, the issue can be a deal breaker when deciding to stay with a specific OS.

The issue affects a portion of users who have installed Windows 10 through the upgrade option and some users who have done a clean install are also reporting random disconnects. Here is a list of potential fixes to solve the random disconnect issue in Windows 10.

(Please keep in mind that you should always backup your system or create a restore point before attempting to fix an issue.)

Random disconnects fixes for users connected via an Ethernet cable

Windows 10 support is aware of the issue and tried to help me sort it out. Their recommendation is to update your network adapter driver or to install a different driver than the one Windows 10 automatically installed. You can read how to do it here. Unfortunately, neither updating nor installing a different network adapter driver worked for me, but some have had success with the method.

Users are reporting that there are a few fixes that do work, or at the very least minimize the random disconnects to once or twice a day instead of every couple of hours. The fixes below are non-intrusive and relatively easy to perform.

Turn off a network adapter option:

Windows 10, by default, has an option enabled on some network adapters that allows the computer to turn off the network adapter to save power, even when all power saving options are disabled. Yup, I didn’t believe it either. To turn off the option, follow the steps below.

1. Click Start, then Settings.
2. At the bottom of the settings tab, you will see a “Device Manager” option, click it.
3. In the device manager, head to the “Network Adapter” option and select your network card, right click on it and then select “Properties”.
4. Go to the Power Management option and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.

Continuously ping your router:

If the issue still persists, you can try out pinging your continuously. It’s a bit of a hassle every time you start up your PC, but it can run in the background. Follow these quick and easy steps every time you start up your PC to lower the amount of random disconnects.

1. Click on the “Search” button (Far left of side on the task bar, next to the Start button)
2. Type in CMD and press enter.
3. Ping your router’s IP Address by typing “ping 192.168.1.1 –t” and leave it running the background.
4. Keep in mind that the IP Address shown above is default for most home routers. If your router’s IP differs, please consult your router packaging or website for details.

Check your proxy settings:

1. Click Search, type inetcpl.cpl and press enter.
2. Click the Connections tab and click the LAN settings option.
3. Verify if “Use a proxy…” is checked, if so, uncheck it and click OK/OK to exit.

Hopefully some of these fixes will work for you if you are experiencing random disconnects. I will update the article with more information if Microsoft offers a solid solution to the problem.

Random Wi-Fi disconnect fixes

Windows 10 support engineer Anupkarkal1709 has offered the following methods for random Wi-Fi disconnects and issues.

Method one:

1. Type troubleshooting in the search box on the taskbar (far right)
2. Click troubleshooting in the search results.
3. Click “View all” and then click “Network Adapter”.
4. Click “Next” and follow on-screen instructions.

Method two:

To remove and re-create the wireless network connection, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, type ncpa.cpl, and then hit Enter.
2. Right-click your wireless network connection, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
4. Under Preferred networks, click your wireless network, and then click Remove.
5. Click View Wireless Networks.
6. Under Network Tasks, click Refresh Network List.
7. Under Choose a wireless network, click the wireless network to which you want to connect, and then click Connect.

Have you been experiencing random disconnects from the internet when using Windows 10? Have you tried any of these fixes and which one has worked for you? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read more about Windows 10:

• PC gamers flock to Windows 10 – Will the trend continue?
• Windows 10 is running on 75 million devices – An impressive feat?
• Windows 10 sends torrent pirates running