Network errors are common in windows systems, but the error we are taking a looking at here is a bit weirder than the rest. Some users are complaining that connecting to a Wifi connection is freezing up their system. The OS stops responding completely, and the users are forced to perform a hard reboot to fix.
The reason behind this new error is an outdated adapter and network drivers. When a user updates over from Windows 8 or 7 to Windows 10, but they still use the same drivers as before, this error pops up. Luckily there is an easy fix to it all, so if you are one of the victims, then just follow the steps mentioned below in this article, it will surely resolve your issue. There are two fixes mentioned here, one a bit more complicated than the other one. So if the first does not work for you, try the second fix.
How to fix Windows 10 Freeze when connecting to WiFi?
1st Fix: Update drivers automatically
This error mostly shows up when you are connecting to a wireless connection
- So first, just turn off your Wifi by pressing the function keys of your particular system. Every manufacturer uses different shortcuts for turning off Wifi, so google the shortcut for your system. You can even click on the network icon in the taskbar and disconnect your connection.
- Once you have disconnected your wireless connection, just use an ethernet connection to connect to the internet.
- Once the ethernet connection is made, click on our start button and search for “Device Manager.”
- Open “Device Manager” and look for your network adapters in the list. Double click on it and expand it.
- After that, right-click on your Wifi driver that is currently installed on your system and click on “Update Driver.”
Once the update is successful, you should able to able to connect to your Wifi without any issues. If, for some reason, no updates show up in your system or the update does not work for your issue, then try the next fix.
2nd Fix: Update drivers manually
This next fix is a bit longer and complicated than the previous one. Here you need to manually download the drivers from your manufacturer’s website. For different systems, the interface to download will be different.
- Google your laptop’s manufacturer’s name and click on their official website, which would probably be the first link.
- From there, go to the downloads or support section.
- Here you will be asked to select your laptop’s model and the OS you are using on it since this is a windows 10 issue, select Win 10.
- Scroll and look for the Airplane Mode driver and Wireless LAN driver. If you can’t find the Airplane Mode driver, then just download the Wireless LAN driver.
- Both the drivers should be downloaded as a .zip file. Unzip both these files in a folder or location of your preference.
- Open the folder containing your Wireless LAN driver setup and run the setup.exe file.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and install this new driver onto your system.
- For some systems, this installation should be enough. But in some systems, this setup just copies the driver files to a specific folder. So keep track of where the files are installing or copying on to your system.
- Now, if the driver files are just copied in your system, then open up the driver manager again.
- Go to your network adapters, expand it, and right-click on your WiFi driver. Click on update driver.
- Select “Browse my computer for driver software.”
- Now click on “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.”
- Select the Have Disk button.
- Now select the folder location where the driver files were copied during the setup.
- Click on OK. You will be prompted to select your network adapter model, so just click on your model and select Next.
- Windows will automatically start adding these files to your system’s network adapter.
- Now restart your system.
- After that, follow the same procedure for your Airplane Mode Driver setup file. Open the folder containing your Airplane Mode Driver setup and click on the .cmd file or .exe file.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and install this new driver onto your system.
- For some systems, this installation should be enough. But in some systems, this setup just copies the driver files to a specific folder. So keep track of where the files are installing or copying on to your system.
- Now, if the driver files are just copied in your system, then open up the driver manager again.
- Expand your Human Interface Devices directory and right-click on Airplane Mode Controller Driver. Select Update driver from the list of options.
- Now click on “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.”
- Select the Have Disk button.
- Now select the folder location where the driver files were copied during the setup.
- Click on OK. You will be prompted to select the model of your Airplane Mode Controller, so just click on your model and select Next.
- Windows will automatically start adding these files to your system’s network adapter.
- Finally, restart your system.
This should definitely fix your Windows Freeze issue. If you face any difficulty during the process, then let us know in the comment section. If you find no Airplane Mode drivers to download, then just download your Wireless Lan Drivers and any Human Interface Drivers you see on the website. Be sure to check out our iPhone Tips and Tricks, PC tips and tricks, Android Tips and Tricks, and other sections for more useful updates like this.
