Norton Uninstall - Wi-Fi issues

[#1]

My Norton Security expired (mid-contract - don't ask why I didn't negotiate an extension)

Lost Wifi - nothing, no networks. Had to connect via Ethernet to get any Internet access.

Uninstalled Norton. Wifi fixed.

Following (and each subsequent day) same issue - no wifi.

Running "Troubleshoot" and "Reset the Adapter" works and Wifi back (After a system restart) - at least for a day. Then have to repeat the process following day (now into 5th day).

Can't be a coincidence that this is subsequent to getting rid of Norton

Anyone experienced similar?

[#2]

@JamesDL When you uninstalled Norton, did you use the 'uninstall tool', which should be available on their website? I'm just wondering if there are remnants of that program left, which may be interfering with the proper functioning of your machine. AV programs, by their very nature, dig deep into your registry, and if you don't totally clear them, unintended consequences can arise.

[#3]

john

Point taken. I followed Norton's instructions to Run:appwiz.cpl  and select Norton security from the software applist. Brought up a Norton dialogue and uninstalled (about 5 mins)

I'm aware that theres a "Norton Remove and Reinstall" tool and having looked again, the procedure I followed was for Norton Utilities.

I shut down the laptop thi avo for a couple of hours and restarted and the wifi was Ok. I'll check again tomorrow. If the problem persists I may use said removal tool. We'll see.

[#4]

Fair enough. I admit to only having to remove two AV programs in the 30 years I've had a PC, but in both cases, I used the dedicated removal, then ran a further all-purpose clean-up utility, but that belt'n'braces procedure was only because of my experience with IT.

[#5]

John

I ran the Norton Remove and Reinstall Tool (Remove Only Option) which I should have done in the first place If I'd ever learnt to read.

All Good

24 Hours later WiFi adapter and connection automatic when I restarted Laptop. Yay! (wait for it......)

24 Hours latser - same problem (no WiFi - Troubleshoot - Reboot windows - WiFi back)

I have found a long running (years) discussion re this issue on a microsoft forum - so it seems to be a running issue for others.

I have to say Windows 10 is nowhere near as stable as XP (yes XP!) was all those years ago.

So still none the wiser

[#6]

Glad you (initially) got it back, sorry it didn't last, and, because I haven't used W10 for a very long time - I think I last had anything to do with it was maybe a year/eighteen months after it came out - I honestly don't think I can offer much advice.

I totally agree Microsoft lost the plot after W7 - I moved to Linux when support for it ceased, and a number of programs started to fail/stopped updating.

I still have a working W7 machine, but only because there are a couple of third-party programs I use at times that I haven't, as yet, found Linux equivalents for. I don't use them often enough to go searching, and while ever the machine works, it is available, and at pinch can be used if the Linux machine is unavailable, for any reason.

[#7]

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@jab1 wrote:

AV programs, by their very nature, dig deep into your registry, and if you don't totally clear them, unintended consequences can arise.

---

In my experience, installing Norton is as bad as installing a virus.  It digs deep into the innards of the OS were nothing should venture.

I recall many years ago when working in IT a relative complained bitterly about the stability of the (whatever at the time) Microsoft OS and that every day he has BSoDs and he had to keep rebuilding it.  I suggested that was most odd as I used that same system day in day out and NEVER saw BSoD.  One day I watched him rebuild it ... it was fine until he installed Norton.

It bemuses me how people install OS probing interfering third party software and then blame the OS when it all falls in a heap.  Personally I would NEVER advocate using Norton Virus.

@JamesDL 

You might find that you will need to rebuild the machine to recover from this pickle, if Norton's tools can not clean up its own mess.

You might find that a system file scan (sfc /scannow) will fix things.

You might need to reinstall Windows Defender.

"... uninstalled after hearing how intrusive and slow Norton may make your computer"

Need help, Uninstalling norton caused a bunch of issues on my computer - Microsoft Community

Trouble Uninstalling Norton in windows 10. - Microsoft Community

How to Uninstall Norton From Your PC: Remove Every Trace (comparitech.com)

Good luck!

[#8]

@Townman I did once, many years ago - possibly when I switched to PN - let Norton loose on my machine, and even back then, when I had much less knowledge than I have now, I realised it was to put it mildly, much more of a hindrance than a help.

Fortunately, even back then, I used to create system images on a  regular basis, so 'jumped back' to the image created immediately before that unfortunate event.

i now use AVG on my (little-used) Windows machine, and apart from its occasional nags to buy the paid for version, and easily ignored 'warnings', aimed at the same thing, have no problems with it.

[#9]

@Townman @jab1 

Agree wholeheartedly. The only reason I had the AV in the first place was Plusnet swapped from McAfee and it was provided free (for 24 months at least). Never gave it a second thought.

But - an update.

On Sunday started a Chat with Norton - Let them establish a remote session to access the laptop.

All the guy did was delete some "Norton" Folders from the Windows directory, so I was sceptical.

On Monday, when I booted up, the Wi-Fi adapter was there and all was well (I'll be blowed!)

Tuesday, same. So I thought it was fixed (miraculously)

Today - problem's back again.

Will wait to see what happens tomorrow before I get back onto Norton.

The odd thing is I can shut down windows all day long and reboot and the adapter is fine - once I've recovered it, that is. The problem only manifests itself the following day (or, overnight).

[#10]

Hi James,

Does the WiFi adapter disappear from Device Manager or does it just become disabled?

You might try updating the adapter's driver / repairing it / remove it (using device manager) and reinstall it manually.  Do a search for the latest device drivers first.

Also see...

Wifi network adapter went missing - Microsoft Community

Top 5 Methods to Fix Windows 10 Network Adapter Missing - MiniTool Partition Wizard

Though as a first fix, I would recommend running System File Check (sfc).

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files - Microsoft Support

[#11]

Townman

These screenshots show the settings in "Network & Internet Settings" when all is well (as of right now)

When the problem recurrs the following is displayed

1. On the "Network Status" screen, left hand pane - WiFi disappears (between Status & Ethernet)

2. On the "Network Connections" screen (Via 'change adapter options') the WiFi adapter disappears (ie - only the Ethernet adapter is there)

If it happens again tomorrow I'll screen-shot them with the adapter missing before I "fix" it

I'm taking a look at sfc as suggested - also DISM which needs to be run (apparantly). At first glance, first reaction is "do they really have to make something simple so convoluted?

[#12]

I don't know if I'm right here, or going daft, but from memory, I thought the network type should be 'Private', rather than 'Public'? Long time since I bothered looking at my equivalent settings in W7, but I do remember that setting changing, without  being asked, and causing issues.

[#13]

@Townman @jab1 

After messing about and getting nowhere (can't get updated drivers from acer or norton etc) I think I've stumbled on the solution by accident.

Booted up (last week) and Wi-Fi fine. Walked away for about 10 minutes and the laptop went into "sleep" mode. When I "woke it up" the Wi-Fi Adapter was gone again. Hmm, thought I, power management? I recovered it with a Network Reset and looked at the adapter properties in Device Manager - Power Management.

'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power' was ticked.

Unticked it (sleep mode being a power/battery saver). Haven't had a repeat for 6 days now (and my posting this has probably jinxed things!)

If this is a long term fix then it looks like the "device stopped error(43)" is because the device (adapter) was turned off.

Fingers crossed

[#14]

Oh my the old put subsystems to sleep to save power tar pit.

Glad you’ve found a fix and thank you for sharing it … might help someone else out too.