Strange Internet Connectivity Problems with Dell Inspiron 5559 Laptop

equionox2020,

Scan the computer for malware or malicious software. 

Have you tried completely resetting the router?  

Reset your router, completely. This means not just power cycling, but using the reset button as detailed in the manual. 

Turn off all computers and and unplug the router power. Let it set for about 3-5 min. Plug in the router. Let the lights on the router light up. Turn on the computers. 

It is very likely the DNS server settings on your router have been manipulated. This is possible by simply browsing to a malicious website when the router is vulnerable (bugs, backdoors, you name it). No traces (except in the browsing history perhaps) will remain on your computer, so no AV scanner will ever find anything.

This type of attack changes the DNS servers your router would query. Since all computers and devices in your network usually use the router’s DNS forwarding service, all of them are affected. The “bad guy’s” DNS server would then respond with the IP address of a man-in-the-middle attack server that grabs your passwords and the like.

If that does not resolve the issue you can call Dell Support at 1-800-624-9896 and troubleshoot the issue with a tech on the phone. 

Jesse L,

I have the identical problem as described by equionox2020. I have also tried all of the remedies that he has, with the exception of the new wifi radio. Additionally, I know it is not a problem with the wife router, or with malware. The Dell tech has sent a new radio for me to install that will be here in a few days, as a last resort.

There is some driver bug, or some hardware defect in the 5559 that is causing this. I've had this pc for 10 months, and it never has connected reliably from out of the box. When new, I would lose wifi connectivity in an hour or two; now, it won't stay connected for more than 10 minutes. I didn't think about it much when new, because I used the computer mostly at my desk with a wired connection. Now I need to take it out with me for my side job, and the performance is unacceptable.

I know it is not a malware or router issue because I actually went so far as to completely re-install windows 10, and to test the connectivity on both a neighbor's wifi, and on public wifi at McDonald's, with no improvement.  I also have run an off-line scan with Malwarebytes and Window Defender tools, as well as some rootkit detectors from Kapersky. I have also done a hard reset of my wifi router with the assistance of my IP provider, despite the fact that there are two phones, another pc, and two smart TVs that have no connectivity issues with my router

The problem is definitely with the computer. It's frustrating when you are trying to run a part-time online business and have no connectivity. It usually fails in the middle of filling out a form or some other crucial action. If the new wifi card doesn't help, what then? I have already wasted a ton of time by not being productive while trying to get this thing fixed.

I have reset the router completely and note that I have two routers from two different service providers. As soon as I switch to the Wifi Card (AC 7260), the connection problems appear in no time.

Also, I have completely reformatted the laptop using the boot up factory reset and after speaking with a Dell tech, I am trying to make a copy of Windows 10 using the below instructions provided by Dell. So, there is no possibility of a malware if the system is completely reformatted.

You can create a recovery media from the below link:

www.microsoft.com/.../windows10

> Please create the media using a different system.

> Connect a 16 GB USB to the system.

> Run the media creation tool.

> Select using this tool to create installation media for another PC.

> Select the language, edition and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10.

> Follow the steps to create the installation media, then

select Finish when it’s done.

Now, use the USB media created and perform the steps given below on the system having issue.

> Restart the system and keep tapping F2 button to get into BIOS

> Select Boot tab and make following changes

 a. Boot List Option : [UEFI]

 b. Load Legacy Option Rom : [Enable]

 c. Secure Boot : [Disable]

Or

> Restart the system and keep tapping F2 to get into BIOS

> Follow General> Boot Sequence > Boot list option should be UEFI

> Follow General> Boot Sequence > Advance Boot option> Enable the Legacy options ROM

> Follow Secure Boot > Secure Boot Enable > Disable it

> Press F10, now insert the bootable USB drive in the system

> Restart the system and keep tapping F12 key

> Select the USB drive from the list

> Click next on the first screen and then follow the onscreen instructions

You can also follow the instruction with screenshots given in the link below to reinstall windows:

www.howtogeek.com/.../

As I have BitDefender Installed on the system,I have completely uninstalled BitDefender to ensure that BitDefender is not causing the problem. However, the problem remains as it is.

I will keep you updated after the Windows 10 reboot using the downloaded ISO file.

Hi guys,

Were you able to resolve your problem.

Same problem encountered on my friends Dell Inspiron 5559 laptop. The wifi and lan connection can connect to the network but there is no internet access. I've verified that our router is working fine because I am able to connect to the internet using my lenovo laptop both wireless and LAN connections.

Is this a known issue with this brand of Dell laptop. Bad for them that this happens just as the warranty expired.

Appreciate your help guys.

My wifi became problem free after a recent Windows update, I believe version 2004. I hadn't been using the 5559 for a long time, as I got a new PC in 2018. I dropped the new one and broke it. I fired up the old Dell and let it do all of the updates. This was December 2019. The silly-arsed thing worked perfectly after the updates, no issues of any kind, including with wifi. This leads me to believe that it was a compatibility issue between the hardware and Windows all along. I'm still using the 5559 in March of 2021 with Windows 10 20H2, still with no reliability problems. It works much better than when I bought it in 2015.

keep your windows up to date. Sometimes there may be conflicts with the Windows 10's own drivers and the official drivers of the device.

Microsoft Windows Update

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

I keep Windows and my apps and drivers updated obsessively. I always have. It took over 4 years of minor and major Windows 10 updates before this particular problem was fixed (see my last post).