How to Reinstall Wireless Drivers. An out-of-date or corrupted wireless driver could prevent you from connecting your PC to the Internet. If the wireless driver is the culprit, reinstalling it will get you back online in minutes. A modem that I frequently use for this purpose is the Huawei E355. However, it was incredibly hard for me to find that particular model. You may have to look for an alternative, like the Huawei LTE E8372 modem (PDF). For this method, the modem creates a wireless network that the Raspberry Pi can connect to.
-->Important
This topic is intended for Microsoft's mobile operator (MO) partners who can configure how Windows connects to their networks. If you are a customer who is experiencing Windows network connection issues, see Fix network connection issues in Windows.
Automatic connection management, introduced in Windows 8, makes connection decisions by looking at Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and mobile broadband interfaces. These decisions lead to automatic connect and disconnect actions on Wi-Fi and mobile broadband interfaces.
Note
Windows responds to Ethernet connections but does not automatically manage Ethernet connections.
This topic describes how Windows automatically manages physical wireless connectivity and does not consider these connections:
Dial-up connections, such as modems
Pure virtual interfaces, such as VPNs and tunneled IP connections
Connection management policies
Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 include a number of policies to control connection management. These policies are not exposed in the Windows user interface but can be configured by using the WcmSetProperty API or Group Policy.
Drivers Network Connect Modems Router
Minimize simultaneous connections
This policy is configured using the fMinimizeConnections Group Policy. It is on by default for Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.
Versions of Windows before Windows 10, version 1809, build 17763.404
In Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and versions of Windows 10 before Windows 10, version 1809, build 17763.404, this policy is a boolean value that can be modified using either Group Policy or the WcmSetProperty API.
If this policy is disabled, the behavior is similar to that for Windows 7 in which each interface connects to the most preferred network in range, regardless of the connectivity state of other interfaces.
If this policy is enabled, Windows attempts to maintain the smallest number of concurrent connections that offer the best available level of connectivity. Windows maintains connectivity to the following networks:
Any Ethernet network
Any networks that were manually connected during the current user session
The most preferred connection to the Internet
The most preferred connection to the Active Directory domain, if the PC is joined to a domain
All remaining networks are soft-disconnected, as described in the next section. This is also used to evaluate available networks that are not connected. Windows will not connect to a new network from which it would immediately soft-disconnect.
Windows 10, version 1809, build 17763.404 and later
In Windows 10, version 1809, build 17763.404 and later, this value is an enumeration that is only available through Group Policy.
This policy setting determines if a computer can have multiple connections to the Internet, to a Windows domain, or to both. If multiple connections are allowed, the policy then determines how network traffic is routed.
If this policy is set to 0, a computer can have simultaneous connections to the Internet, to a Windows domain, or to both. Internet traffic can be routed over any connection, including a cellular connection or any metered network. This was previously the Disabled state for this policy setting in builds of Windows before Windows 10, version 1809, build 17663.404. This option was first available in Windows 8.
If this policy is set to 1, any new automatic Internet connection is blocked when the computer has at least one active Internet connection to a preferred type of network. The order of preference is as follows:
- Ethernet
- WLAN
- Cellular
Ethernet is always preferred when connected. Users can still manually connect to any network. This was previously the Enabled state for this policy setting in builds of Windows before Windows 10, version 1809, build 17763.404. This option was first available in Windows 8.
If this policy setting is set to 2, the behavior is similar to when it is set to 1. However, if a cellular data connection is available, that connection will always stay connected for services that require a cellular connection. When the user is connected to a WLAN or Ethernet connection, no Internet traffic is routed over the cellular connection. This option was first available in Windows 10, version 1703.
If this policy setting is set to 3, the behavior is similar to when it is set to 2. However, if there is an Ethernet connection, Windows does not permit users to connect to a WLAN manually. A WLAN can only be connected (automatically or manually) when there is no Ethernet connection.
Soft disconnect
The soft disconnect policy works as follows:
When Windows decides that a network should no longer be connected, it does not immediately disconnect. Abrupt disconnections degrade the user experience without providing an appreciable benefit and are avoided when possible.
As soon as Windows decides to soft-disconnect an interface, it informs the TCP stack that the network should no longer be used. The existing TCP sessions will continue uninterrupted, but new TCP sessions will use this interface only if explicitly bound or if no other interface routes to the desired destination.
This notification to the TCP stack generates a network status change. Networking applications should listen for these events and proactively move their connections to the new network, if possible.
Windows then checks the traffic level on the interface every 30 seconds. If the traffic level is above a certain threshold, no further action is taken. This allows ongoing active use of the interface, such as from a file transfer or VoIP call, to avoid disruption.
When the traffic drops below this threshold, the interface will be disconnected. Applications that keep long-lived idle connections, such as an e-mail client, may be interrupted and should re-establish their connections over a different interface.
Initial connection
Windows automatically connects and then immediately soft-disconnects in one circumstance. When a PC first starts or resumes from standby, all interfaces simultaneously attempt to connect in order to ensure that the user obtains network connectivity as quickly as possible. If multiple interfaces successfully connect, Windows begins soft-disconnecting interfaces immediately.
Prohibit interconnect between domain and non-domain networks
This policy is off by default for Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. When this policy is enabled, Windows attempts to prevent a PC from being interconnected between a domain network and a non-domain network. Enterprise administrators may use this when they are concerned about potential security breaches using a multi-homed machine as an attack point.
This policy does not affect system behavior when all connected networks route to the domain or when no connected network routes to the domain.
Multiple wireless networks
Many Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 mobile devices have an external Internet connection available to them at all times, even when in range of their enterprise Wi-Fi networks. When this policy is enabled, users may freely connect to either their public mobile broadband network or to the enterprise’s private Wi-Fi network and switch between them at will. However, manually connecting one will automatically cause the other to disconnect immediately.
Ethernet
Because Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 cannot automatically connect Ethernet cables to or disconnect them from a PC, they can only enforce the policy by allowing or prohibiting wireless connections. When a PC has an Ethernet connection to the domain network, wireless networks that do not connect to the domain cannot be connected, and vice versa. Attempts to do so will result in the following error:
For PCs that have multiple Ethernet ports, Windows cannot prevent an interconnection that is created by physically connecting the PC to two different Ethernet networks.
Effect on soft disconnect
Because prohibiting interconnections is a security consideration, any disconnections that comply with this policy take effect immediately, even if there is ongoing activity. Users will experience a connectivity disruption when transitioning between public and corporate networks, even if the two networks overlap.
For example, a user engaged in a VoIP call over a mobile broadband network with a laptop docked to a corporate Ethernet connection will lose the call, although the app may be able to automatically recover over the new connection. If the policy was not enabled, Windows would instead soft-disconnect the mobile broadband connection by waiting for the call to complete. On the other hand, a VoIP call started over a corporate Wi-Fi network will not be disrupted when docked to the corporate network because both networks connect to the domain. The Wi-Fi network is disconnected after the call is completed.
Prohibit roaming on mobile broadband networks
This policy prevents Windows from connecting to mobile broadband networks that are in a roaming state. By default, this policy is disabled, and the user may choose to manually connect to a mobile broadband network while roaming or to enable automatically connecting to such a network. When this policy is enabled, the user cannot choose a roaming mobile broadband network from Connection Manager.
Network preferences
When considering which multiple connections to maintain, Windows uses a number of traits to determine the preferred networks. This is used only when determining whether to maintain a connection to a given interface, not for routing. If a connected interface is not in the process of being soft-disconnected, routing is determined by the metric in the routing table. If the route metric is not specified manually, Windows will automatically assign a route metric based on the link speed of the adapter.
Connection priorities
Windows prioritizes connections in the following order:
Ethernet networks
Networks manually connected during the current user session
Networks that connect to both the Internet and the Active Directory domain to which the PC is joined
Signal strength of the currently connected Wi-Fi network
The PC’s preferred network list
Even though the link speed influences routing behavior among currently connected interfaces, Windows does not make connectivity decisions based on the link speed or throughput of a network. It is not possible to configure Windows to change its connection preference between a mobile broadband network and a Wi-Fi network based on the current speed of the mobile broadband network. If both are connected, the user or a desktop app can change route metrics to influence routing preferences.
Signal strength
For Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, if Windows detects that the currently connected Wi-Fi network has very low signal strength, it may choose to connect a mobile broadband network (if permitted by policy) to avoid disrupting network connectivity. This helps to smooth the transition when a user is moving away from a wireless access point.
Windows does not disconnect a more preferred Wi-Fi network until the signal strength cannot maintain the connection. If signal strength improves, Windows may soft-disconnect the mobile broadband adapter.
Windows 10 does not use the Wi-Fi signal strength.
Preferred network list
In most situations, the preferred network list determines which wireless network profiles Windows will use to connect. Prior to Windows 8, this list applied to Wi-Fi networks only. In Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10, it can also include mobile broadband networks.
Automatic generation
Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 automatically update the preferred network list based on user actions. Any manual connection or disconnection will update the network list so that the same behavior will occur automatically in the future.
The following user actions modify the preferred network list:
Initially connecting to a network The new network is added to the network list. The user specifies whether the network will automatically connect in the future.
Connecting to a new Wi-Fi network for the first time makes the network the most preferred network in the list.
Connecting to a new mobile broadband network for the first time makes the network the least preferred network in the list.
Manually connecting to a Wi-Fi network Any other Wi-Fi network in range that is higher on the list is moved below the newly connected network in the list. The user specifies whether the network automatically connects in the future.
Disconnecting from a network Windows will not automatically connect to this network in the future. It remains on the network list in case the user modifies this setting in the future.
Group Policy
Drivers Network Connect Modems Wireless
Wi-Fi profiles created by Group Policy are at the top of the network list. The user may manually disconnect from these networks or manually connect to other networks, but these networks remain at the highest position on the network list until removed by Group Policy. Anhoch Laptops & Desktops Driver download.
Carrier-provisioning metadata
Mobile broadband and Wi-Fi hotspot operators provide Windows with a series of mobile broadband and Wi-Fi profiles by using the ProvisioningAgent or msProvisionNetworks APIs.
When initially provisioned, the operator-created profiles are added to the top (Wi-Fi only) or bottom (if mobile broadband is included) of the existing network list. You cannot influence the position of the networks the user provisions in the network list. However, you can define the relative order of their networks in the network list.
The user’s actions may modify the network list between applications of provisioning metadata. When provisioning metadata is reapplied, your desired network order is restored. However, the reordered set of networks is moved to the lowest position to which the user had moved any of your networks.
The preference between networks in the provisioning metadata is determined by the following:
The optional priority attribute on each network profile
Media type (Wi-Fi is more preferred than mobile broadband)
Order specified in the XML file
Manual modification
Prior to Windows 8, the Wi-Fi preferred network list was accessible to the user through the Manage Wireless Networks control panel. Telemetry indicates that very few users ever accessed this functionality. Additionally, this user interface was tied to Wi-Fi only and could not incorporate preferences between Wi-Fi and mobile broadband.
Most users will not need to manually modify the network list. However, certain users or applications may find it necessary to do so.
User interface
To remove a profile from the preferred network list while it is in range, select and hold (or right-click) the network and choose Forget this network. A network that is not in range cannot be removed from the list through the user interface.
Win32 APIs
An application may create new profiles in the network list using the appropriate media-specific API:
For Wi-Fi networks, use the WlanSetProfile function.
For mobile broadband networks, use the IMbnConnectionProfileManager::CreateConnectionProfile method.
To modify the order of the network list, use the WcmSetProfileList function. We do not recommend using the WlanSetProfileList function, as it may disturb the position of mobile broadband profiles in the network list in unintended ways.
To delete profiles from the network list, use the appropriate media-specific API:
For Wi-Fi networks, use the WlanDeleteProfile function.
For mobile broadband networks, use the IMbnConnectionProfile::Delete method.
Command-line
A user or script may create new profiles in the network list by using the appropriate media-specific commands:
For Wi-Fi networks, use the netsh wlan add profile command.
For mobile broadband networks, use the netsh mbn add profile command.
The order of the Wi-Fi profiles in the network list may be modified using the netsh wlan set profileorder command. However, this is not recommended and can disturb the position of mobile broadband profiles in the list in unintended ways.
To delete profiles from the network list, use the appropriate media-specific commands:
For Wi-Fi networks, use the netsh wlan delete profile command.
For mobile broadband networks, use the netsh mbn delete profile command.
Conflict resolution
When multiple profiles exist for the same network, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 use the following logic to determine which profile should be used:
Profile Type
Group Policy profiles are preferred over user-created profiles.
All-user profiles are preferred over single-user profiles.
Interface Arrival The profile on the most recently installed interface will be used.
If your internet has begun to act up or not seem to work as well as it once did, you will naturally be looking for a cause. Before you begin browsing the latest Spectrum compatible modems, you need to ask yourself: when was the last time that you updated your modem’s drivers?
Modem drivers are essential in allowing the operatingsystem to work properly and, just as technology continually changes, you needto be sure that your modem’s drivers are keeping up with the times. Here’s howyou can update your modem drivers in Windows 10.
Whatis a Driver?
Let’s take a quick look at what a modem driver is. Amodem works by gathering data from your system and transmitting the data overtelephone lines, fiber optic cables, or cable lines in order to deliver thedata to another modem.
The driver itself is a piece of code that tells thedata transfer to happen. The information is coded in between modems and unencryptedat the receiving modem.
WhyUpdate Drivers?
Drivers need to be kept updated because of how much and how quickly technology changes. Drivers can include updates that correct any mishaps in code previously written, as well as helping keep your network safe from any new threats that could be headed your way. Updating your driver allows it to take in new information about any threats or malware that could be headed your way.
Updatingyour Modem Driver
In order to update your modem driver in Windows 10, tomake sure that is using the latest technology, you need to do the following:
- Click on the Start button on the lowerleft-hand corner.
- Scroll down to Settings and click on it.
- Under settings, go to the Devices link.
- Here you should see Phone/Modem options.
- Select your modem and then the Drivertab.
- Click on Update Driver Software
- There should then be an update wizard tohelp walk you through the full updating process.
Alternatively, if you want to be certain that yourmodem has received all of its driver updates, you can go to the modem’s websiteand see what the latest update was and whether you already have it. You shouldalso reboot the computer in order to make sure the new driver has succeeded.
Troubleshooting
Once in a while, a modem driver might not be workingwell itself. If you downloaded a new driver, recently updated your operatingsystem, or if your driver isn’t working with new software provided by your ISP,then you might need to review your modem driver.
Coachlab 2 port devices driver updater. In the case that you just downloaded a new driver andit is not working correctly, the driver might have been corrupted or damagedduring the download, but it could also be an indication of malware on yourcomputer. In any of these cases, the safest course of action is to re-installthe modem driver. You can do that by following the steps that we listed outabove.
When all else fails, it is time to contact themanufacturer for your modem and do some troubleshooting with their customer serviceas well. They should be able to walk through it with you and figure out what isreally going on.