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WiFi worked this morning. it updated bit defender software. WiFi doesn't work anymore!

4,010 115 February 2, 2026 at 01:15 PM
WiFi worked this morning. it updated bit defender software. now wifi does not turn on.
Lenovo T430s on Win 11 pro
Win 11 pro was a fresh install in Dec.

Device manager shows network adapter - all clear - no yellow mark or whatever.

- I did a network reset. no luck
- Uninstalled bit defender software - no luck
- Wireless LAN is Enabled in BIOS

What is likely causing it?
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Joined Dec 2005
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> bubble2 4,010 Posts
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Original Poster
ms2000
02-04-2026 at 10:34 AM.
02-04-2026 at 10:34 AM.
https://www.urtech.ca/2025/04/sol...-6205-nic/

I also followed the above instructions - still no change.
Searching on AI found another link that said that this
Intel Centrino Advanced N-6205
works on Win 8.1 driver for Win 10 - so I uninstalled and installed Win 8 driver from 2015 - still no luck!

What is blocking it from turning on - every time I slide the Win 11 wifi switch to turn on, it doesn't turn on?
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Joined Nov 2014
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> bubble2 1,047 Posts
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trtem
02-04-2026 at 05:33 PM.
02-04-2026 at 05:33 PM.
How old is this laptop anyway, what are the specs ? You could always try plugging in a USB WiFi adapter to see if that works ,they cost $10 or so.
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Joined Dec 2005
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> bubble2 4,010 Posts
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Original Poster
ms2000
02-04-2026 at 06:50 PM.
02-04-2026 at 06:50 PM.
Quote from trtem :
How old is this laptop anyway, what are the specs ? You could always try plugging in a USB WiFi adapter to see if that works ,they cost $10 or so.
IDK - but with Carbon body and Win 11, it was working fine.
Win 11 gave a nee life - but WiFi is not turning on right after bit defender update - uninstalling did not make a difference.
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Joined May 2008
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> bubble2 3,369 Posts
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pur | Staff
02-07-2026 at 12:41 PM.
02-07-2026 at 12:41 PM.
It might have made a network change to route traffic through its own driver (I'm not an expert) You might try asking here: https://community.bitdefender.com...aware-etc-
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Joined Dec 2005
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> bubble2 4,010 Posts
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Original Poster
ms2000
02-07-2026 at 01:48 PM.
02-07-2026 at 01:48 PM.
Quote from pur :
It might have made a network change to route traffic through its own driver (I'm not an expert) You might try asking here: https://community.bitdefender.com...aware-etc-
Does this mean uninstalling will fix it?
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Joined Apr 2014
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> bubble2 3,700 Posts
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eekster
02-08-2026 at 05:45 PM.
02-08-2026 at 05:45 PM.
Maybe try reinstalling the win 11 driver not 8 or boot into safe mode? Hate 11, my nuc runs on it but the only thing I use it for is Jellyfin.. Only reason my laptop is on 10 still is I have 1 program that has no real docker for it otherwise I'd be done with windows. Not the geek I used to be sadly.
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Joined Dec 2005
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> bubble2 4,010 Posts
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Original Poster
ms2000
02-19-2026 at 01:43 PM.
02-19-2026 at 01:43 PM.
Quote from eekster :
Maybe try reinstalling the win 11 driver not 8 or boot into safe mode? Hate 11, my nuc runs on it but the only thing I use it for is Jellyfin.. Only reason my laptop is on 10 still is I have 1 program that has no real docker for it otherwise I'd be done with windows. Not the geek I used to be sadly.
I installed a USB WiFi adapter from Netgear - now I can turn on WiFi on Win 11 - it works.
The intel builtin wifi adapter does not have the right driver - intel stopped releasing it - Lenovo nor MS did nothing about it.
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Last edited by ms2000 February 19, 2026 at 02:23 PM.
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