Troubleshoot Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter Not Working – 3 Easy Methods

Users might fail to connect to the internet when the Broadcom 802.11 network adapter stops working. Many faced this problem after updating the network adapter. A corrupted Wi-Fi driver could prevent you from using Wi-Fi. 

Moreover, this network issue could occur for an incorrect computer configuration. Change the PC settings with an expert’s help to fix the problem. Restart the Broadcom Wi-Fi router if the internet LED is blinking continuously. 

Ensure the router and the computer are connected via an Ethernet cable. Place the wireless router close to the Wi-Fi enabled devices. Otherwise, you might end up getting this complicated connectivity issue. Power cycle the modem and router if the “Broadcom 802.11n network adapter not working”. 

Reasons for Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter Not Working

Several factors could cause this internet loss issue. The Broadcom 802.11n network adapter won’t work if it’s not compatible with the OS. Update the Windows or Mac OS to Mac OS to restore the Wi-Fi connection. 

Besides, this network adapter fails to work when there is a server outage. Contact the Internet Service Provider to resolve this network error. Disconnect and reconnect the PC and router’s power cables. Also, check whether there is wear and tear on them. Replace the power unit immediately if the router’s power light is blinking red. 

Did you remove the Broadcom 802.11n network adapter from the device list? This is why maybe the Broadcom network adapter is not working. Add the network adapter in the hardware section to eliminate the issue. 

Effective Solutions to Resolve Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter Not Working Error

There are many ways to resolve this Broadcom network adapter error. Reset the network settings to use the internet without network interference. Sometimes, the third-party applications could block the network adapter from working. Identify the problematic apps and uninstall them to fix the error. 

The Broadcom 802.11n network adapter won’t work if it’s damaged. Replace it with a new one to get back the internet access. 

Follow these below-mentioned troubleshooting methods if that doesn’t work:

1. Update the Device Software

The missing or out-of-date software updates can often generate this network adapter problem. Install the latest OS update to get rid of Broadcom 802.11n network adapter not working. Go to the Start menu to access the Settings menu. Or, you can hold the Windows and I keys together to open Settings. 

When the Settings window appears, head towards the “Update & Security” section. Look for the “Windows Update” option and go for ‘Check for Updates”. Here, you can see the latest update available for the Windows PC. Click ‘Update Now” or schedule a time when you want to install the update. 

Windows will take 15-20 minutes to complete the software update. Don’t turn off the device in the middle of the OS update, and it might cause further network adapter issues. Ensure there is enough space on the PC to store the installation files. 

Reboot the computer, and connect the Broadcom Wi-Fi router to the device. Open a web browser and perform the internet-based work without issues. And, use the next solution if the Broadcom 802.11n network adapter error persists. 

2. Update the Wi-Fi Adapter

When was the last time you updated the Broadcom router’s network adapter? Was that a month ago? Then, there is a high chance of getting this network error. Hold the Windows and R keys together, write “devmgmt.msc” and press “Enter”. 

Locate “Network Adapters” from the device list when the Device Manager window appears. Double-tap on it and right-click on the Broadcom 802.11 network adapter. Choose “Properties”, move towards “Driver”, and go for the “Update Driver” option. 

A new driver software window will appear on the Windows screen. 

Did you get the Browse my computer for driver software option? Choose that and tap on “Browse”, and add the driver software file. Select “Next”, opt for “Have Disk”, and search for the R274634 folder. 

The folder name might vary depending on the Broadcom Wi-Fi router you use. Double-tap the file name and look for its associated “.inf” file. Open that and select “Install from Disk” when the next driver update window. Choose “OK” to continue the network adapter update. 

Restart the device when Windows completes the driver installation. Turn on the router, open the desktop and choose the right Wi-Fi name afterwards. Try to open a web browser to check if the internet connection is back. If you can use the W-Fi, this indicates the network adapter error has been resolved. 

3. Delete the Corrupted Registry Entries

Broadcom 802.11n network adapter doesn’t work when there are corrupted registry entries. Remove these problematic entries to solve this internet connection error. Hold the Windows and R keys together, and write “regedit” when the Run box appears. 

Hit the Enter key to access the Registry Editor tool. Go to the search box, and write, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\4D36E978-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318.

Press the Enter button to get the Control Set folder. Double-tap it and locate the “UpperFilters” and “LowerFilters” options. Right-click on these folders and tap on “Delete” from the pop-up menu.

Click “Yes” when the confirmation message appears, then close Registry Editor. Reboot the Windows 10/11 device, and reconnect it to the Broadcom router. If the Wi-Fi connects automatically, the network adapter is working fine. 

Lastly, Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter

Windows lets you fix the network adapter issues using its built-in troubleshooter. Press the Windows and X keys together and select Control Panel from the tool list. Go to the search box, write “Troubleshoot”, and press the Enter key. Select “Troubleshooting” and tap on “Hardware and Sound”. 

Select “Network Adapter” and click “Next” to start the repair process. Follow the on-screen instructions to fix the Broadcom 802.11n network adapter error. Restart the PC, select the right wireless network name and check if you can use the internet. Roll back to the previous driver version if the error persists.

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