New Windows Laptops with Internet Connections dropping signal

MKR14 · ‎03-09-2010

This I found online so it may any of us getting a new computer understand why it is happening. My new HP TSV Laptop should be here this week. This was one of the complaints.

If your Windows 10 Anniversary Update PCs (version 1607) are suddenly dropping their Wi-Fi connections and the Network Diagnostics troubleshooter is spouting "Wi-Fi doesn't have a valid IP configuration" nonsense, you're not alone.

I've heard from many people who blame the Wi-Fi disconnect on today's KB 3201845, the patch (which still isn't documented on the Win10 update history site) that brings version 1607 up to build 14393.479. It's unlikely that the new patch brought on the bug because the large influx of complaints started on Dec. 7 -- two days before the patch.

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Although the vast majority of Wi-Fi problem reports come from Win10 version 1607 systems, there are other reports of the same problem on Win 7 and 8.1 PCs using domain-connected and not-connected systems with a wide array of ISPs, routers, and network cards.

Speculation at this point says the disconnect results when a machine performs a fast startup, setting the machine's IP address to 169.x.x.x. It's an old problem, but somehow it's come back in spades in the past two days. I have no idea what triggered the sudden outbreak, as there were no Win10 1607 patches issued on Dec. 6, 7 or 8.

Microsoft acknowledged the problem on Dec. 8, with moderator and 'Softie Lonnie_L posting on the Microsoft Answers forum:

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

This is Lonnie L link. At the top of the page it says https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10741/windows-10-fix-network-connection-issues

Fix network connection issues in Windows 10 - Windows Help

If you are experiencing issues connecting to the internet we recommend you restart your PC by going to Start, clicking the Power button, then choosing Restart (not Shut down).