Windows 8.1 WiFi issue (can't connect encrpytion)

[redarrow]

So a friend asked me to have a look at their laptop as the WiFi suddenly stopped working.. It's a Windows 8.1 laptop, with builtin "Qualcomm Atheros ar5bwb222" WiFi adapter.

The problem basically is that when attempting to connect, if the WiFi is encrypted it prompts for the password and then after a few moments of "Checking network requirements" it reports "Can't connect to this network".
If I leave the network open (i.e., unencrypted) it connects but complains that the connection is "limited" and pretty much can't do anything.

I then hit on the idea of inserting a USB WiFi dongle, and what do you know, exact same problem! (I can't test the ethernet as this laptop has some kind of propriety ethernet socket which obviously needs some kind of adapter).

At this point I'm pretty sure it's something to with Windows networking but I'm unsure how to proceed. I've tried most obvious things like re-installing drivers, disabling/re-enabling the WiFi. I even used Windows "restore" to return it to an earlier point (at which it was apparently working) all with no luck..



Anyone got any tips I can try? Thanks.

 

[Rickster]

Its windows 8.....1, and its kuk.

Get W10

 

[Johnatan56]

You can try this: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...2/936ef803-3016-41f6-8b14-3b550b417235?auth=1
Though it's for W10.

There are a lot of complaints about that network adapter when I googled it.

 

[redarrow]

Its windows 8.....1, and its kuk.

Get W10

Well yea. If it was up to me I'd just install Ubuntu.. But it's not mine.

You can try this: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...2/936ef803-3016-41f6-8b14-3b550b417235?auth=1
Though it's for W10.

There are a lot of complaints about that network adapter when I googled it.

Thanks, I did already try this one though.


For what it's worth I tried booting with a live Ubuntu CD and the WiFi works 100% from there so it's definitely a software issue. I'm just not convinced it's a driver issue due to it having the same problem with the USB WiFi dongle.

 

[redarrow]

Well after everything I'd tried I read a tip somewhere that said to uninstall any antivirus, so I removed AVGFree, rebooted and presto it instantly works. :wtf: