Alright, let's dive into troubleshooting that Intel Wireless-AC 9560 on your Windows 11 machine! It can be frustrating when your Wi-Fi acts up, but don't worry, we'll go through a systematic approach to get it working smoothly again.
Step 1: Initial Checks - Let's Get the Basics Right!
Before we delve into more technical steps, let's quickly check a few fundamental things. Are you able to connect to other Wi-Fi networks? This simple check can tell us if the issue is specific to your home network or if it's a problem with your laptop's wireless adapter itself. Also, make sure your Wi-Fi is actually turned on! Look for the Wi-Fi icon in your system tray (usually at the bottom right of your screen). Is it showing a connected network, a disconnected icon, or a red 'X'?
Step 2: The Classic Restart - Never Underestimate It!
You might be rolling your eyes, but trust me on this! A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches and software conflicts.
2.1 Restart Your Computer
Go to the Start menu, click the power icon, and select Restart. Let your computer completely shut down and then boot back up. Sometimes, this is all it takes!
2.2 Restart Your Router and Modem
Just like your computer, your network devices can also encounter temporary issues.
- Unplug the power cables from your router and your modem.
- Wait for about 30 seconds. This allows any residual power to drain.
- Plug the modem back in first and wait for it to fully power on (the indicator lights should stabilize).
- Then, plug the router back in and wait for it to fully power on.
- Once both are back online, check if your Intel Wireless-AC 9560 can now connect.
Step 3: Diving into Device Manager - Your Hardware Control Center
If a restart didn't do the trick, let's take a look at how Windows 11 is seeing your wireless adapter. Device Manager is the place to go for this.
3.1 Opening Device Manager
- Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard.
- In the menu that appears, select Device Manager.
3.2 Locating Your Intel Wireless-AC 9560
- In the Device Manager window, expand the Network adapters category by clicking the arrow next to it.
- Look for an entry that says something like "Intel(R) Wireless-AC 9560" or a similar variation.
3.3 Checking Device Status
- Right-click on your Intel Wireless-AC 9560 adapter.
- Select Properties.
- In the "Device status" section of the "General" tab, you should see a message indicating whether the device is working properly. If you see any error messages or warnings (often indicated by a yellow exclamation mark), this suggests a problem.
3.4 Updating the Driver - Keeping Things Current
Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common cause of wireless issues. Let's try updating yours.
- In the "Intel(R) Wireless-AC 9560 Properties" window, go to the Driver tab.
- Click the Update Driver... button.
- You'll be presented with two options:
- Search automatically for updated driver software: Windows will try to find the latest driver online. Make sure you have an active internet connection (even if it's through a wired connection or a temporary workaround like USB tethering from your phone).
- Browse my computer for driver software: If you've already downloaded the latest driver from Intel's website, you can choose this option and navigate to the downloaded file. Intel's Download Center is usually the best place to get the latest drivers.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. After the update, restart your computer.
3.5 Rolling Back the Driver - If the Update Caused Problems
Sometimes, a new driver can introduce issues. If the problem started after a recent driver update, try rolling back to the previous version.
- In the "Intel(R) Wireless-AC 9560 Properties" window (Driver tab), if the Roll Back Driver button is available (not grayed out), click it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and then restart your computer.
3.6 Uninstalling and Reinstalling the Driver - A More Drastic Measure
If updating or rolling back didn't work, you can try completely uninstalling and then reinstalling the driver.
- In the "Intel(R) Wireless-AC 9560 Properties" window (Driver tab), click Uninstall Device.
- In the confirmation dialog, make sure to check the box that says "Attempt to remove the driver for this device" if it's available.
- Click Uninstall.
- After the uninstall is complete, restart your computer. Windows might automatically reinstall a generic driver.
- It's highly recommended to then go to Intel's Download Center and download and install the latest specific driver for your Intel Wireless-AC 9560.
Step 4: Network Reset - A Fresh Start for Your Network Settings
Windows 11 has a built-in network reset feature that can resolve various network-related issues by resetting your network adapters and settings to their default configurations.
- Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
- Go to Network & internet.
- Scroll down and click on Advanced network settings.
- Under "More settings," click on Network reset.
- Read the warning carefully, as this will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords and other network configurations.
- Click the Reset now button and confirm your decision.
- Your computer will restart. After restarting, you'll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and enter the password again.
Step 5: Checking Power Management Settings - Ensuring Uninterrupted Operation
Sometimes, power-saving features can interfere with the proper functioning of your wireless adapter.
- Open Device Manager (Windows key + X, then select Device Manager).
- Expand Network adapters and right-click on your Intel Wireless-AC 9560.
- Select Properties.
- Go to the Power Management tab.
- Uncheck the box that says "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power".
- Click OK and restart
1 your computer.
Step 6: Examining Wireless Adapter Configuration - Fine-Tuning the Settings
There are advanced settings for your wireless adapter that might need adjustment.
- Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, and right-click on your Intel Wireless-AC 9560.
- Select Properties.
- Go to the Advanced tab.
- You'll see a list of properties. While the optimal settings can vary depending on your network environment, here are a few key ones to check:
- 802.11 Mode: Ensure it's set to a mode compatible with your router (e.g., 802.11ac or Auto).
- Channel Width: Try different settings (e.g., Auto, 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz).
- Transmit Power: Make sure it's set to the highest level.
- Wireless Mode: Again, ensure it's compatible with your router.
- Make one change at a time, click OK, and then test your connection. If it doesn't help, revert the change and try another setting.
Step 7: Checking for Windows Updates - Keeping Your System Up-to-Date
Microsoft often releases updates that include fixes for various issues, including network connectivity problems.
- Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
- Go to Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- If any updates are available, download and install them, and then restart your computer.
Step 8: Running the Network Troubleshooter - Let Windows Help Diagnose
Windows 11 has a built-in network troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix some common network problems.
- Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
- Go to System and then Troubleshoot.
- Click on Other troubleshooters.
- Find Network Adapter in the list and click the Run button next to it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 9: Considering Interference - The Unseen Enemy
Sometimes, other electronic devices can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal.
- Try moving your router away from other electronic devices like microwaves, cordless phones, and Bluetooth devices.
- If you're using the 2.4 GHz band, try switching to the 5 GHz band on your router and connecting to that network (if your router supports it and your adapter is compatible). The 5 GHz band generally experiences less interference.
Step 10: When All Else Fails - Hardware Considerations
If you've tried all the software-based solutions and the problem persists, there might be a hardware issue with your Intel Wireless-AC 9560 adapter. In this case, you might need to consider:
- Contacting your laptop manufacturer's support for assistance.
- Seeking help from a qualified computer technician.
- As a last resort, considering a replacement wireless adapter (though this is more involved and might require technical expertise).
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Fix Intel Wireless AC 9560 on Windows 11
How to check if my Intel Wireless AC 9560 driver is up to date?
Go to Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click on your Intel adapter, select Properties, and go to the Driver tab. The "Driver Date" and "Driver Version" will be displayed. You can compare this with the latest version on Intel's website.
How to manually update my Intel Wireless AC 9560 driver?
Visit Intel's Download Center, search for "Wireless-AC 9560," download the latest driver, and then in Device Manager, update the driver by browsing to the downloaded file.
How to roll back my Intel Wireless AC 9560 driver?
In Device Manager, go to the properties of your Intel adapter (Driver tab). If the "Roll Back Driver" button is available, click it.
How to uninstall and reinstall my Intel Wireless AC 9560 driver?
In Device Manager, uninstall the device (with the option to remove the driver software if available), restart your computer, and then install the latest driver from Intel's website.
How to perform a network reset in Windows 11?
Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset > Reset now.
How to check power management settings for my Intel Wireless AC 9560?
In Device Manager, go to the properties of your Intel adapter (Power Management tab) and ensure "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" is unchecked.
How to access advanced wireless adapter settings in Windows 11?
In Device Manager, go to the properties of your Intel adapter (Advanced tab) to view and modify various configuration options.
How to run the network troubleshooter in Windows 11?
Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Network Adapter > Run.
How to check for Wi-Fi interference?
Try moving your router away from other electronic devices and consider switching to the 5 GHz band if available.
How to know if my Intel Wireless AC 9560 hardware is failing?
If you've tried all software solutions and the problem persists across different networks, it's possible there's a hardware issue. Consider contacting support or a technician.
Hopefully, this comprehensive guide helps you get your Intel Wireless-AC 9560 working perfectly on Windows 11 again! Let me know if you get stuck at any point.