USB drive stops WiFi from working

[smasonuk]

Whenever I plug my USB drive my wifi stops working. Is this happening with anyone else?

Anyone else get a similar issue?

 

[GreyFox7]

What kind of USB drive? I used a couple of USB sticks without any problems but didn't try anything big like an SSD or HDD.

 

[smasonuk]

its a 500gb external drive, usb3.. tried the drive in two different enclosures with the same effect. as soon as i plug it in wifi stops.. wifi will eventually work again if i dont use the drive, but as soon as i use it (browsing the file system) the wifi stops.....

 

[GreyFox7]

Well that's the first I ever heard of that. so in case it's a weird power issue try a powered USB hub or a USB Y cable plugged into another power source. Another thing to try is case it's an RFI interference issue is using a metal shield over the drive and also a shielded cable. One of those lead blankets they use at the dentists office when they take X-Rays would be handy.

 

[smasonuk]

I tried a thumb drive and had the same effect. As soon as I plug it i no packets get through, as soon as i unplug it working again... here's a screen shot of the ping command as i plug it in...

 

[GreyFox7]

So your screen shot got me wondering about what things you have installed. Perhaps a list of installed apps, utilities, etc. may eb helpful.

Did you have any results from the earlier suggestions?

 

[smasonuk]

Here's all the info about my surface and the programs installed.. Don't think there is anything odd installed.

OS Name: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro

OS Version: 10.0.10586 N/A Build 10586

OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation

OS Configuration: Standalone Workstation

OS Build Type: Multiprocessor Free

Original Install Date: 12/11/2015, 19:51:27

System Boot Time: 15/11/2015, 00:52:19

System Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation

System Model: Surface Pro 4

System Type: x64-based PC

Processor(s): 1 Processor(s) Installed.

[01]: Intel64 Family 6 Model 78 Stepping 3 GenuineIntel ~2396 Mhz

BIOS Version: Microsoft Corporation 103.818.768, 18/09/2015

Windows Directory: C:\WINDOWS

System Directory: C:\WINDOWS\system32

Boot Device: \Device\HarddiskVolume1

System Locale: en-gb;English (United Kingdom)

Input Locale: en-gb;English (United Kingdom)

Time Zone: (UTC) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Total Physical Memory: 8,116 MB

Available Physical Memory: 3,266 MB

Virtual Memory: Max Size: 10,036 MB

Virtual Memory: Available: 4,345 MB

Virtual Memory: In Use: 5,691 MB

Page File Location(s): C:\pagefile.sys

Domain: WORKGROUP

Logon Server: \\MicrosoftAccount

Hotfix(s): 2 Hotfix(s) Installed.

[01]: KB3103688

[02]: KB3105211

Network Card(s): 2 NIC(s) Installed.

[01]: Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller

Connection Name: Wi-Fi

DHCP Enabled: Yes

DHCP Server: 192.168.0.1

IP address(es)

[01]: 192.168.0.8

[02]: fe80::ec2c:3aa9:5923:6037

[02]: Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)

Connection Name: Bluetooth Network Connection

Status: Media disconnected

Hyper-V Requirements: VM Monitor Mode Extensions: Yes

Virtualization Enabled In Firmware: Yes

Second Level Address Translation: Yes

Data Execution Prevention Available: Yes













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Microsoft Azure Shared Components for Visual Studio 2015 - v1.5 1.5.30619.1602

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Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Management Objects 12.0.2000.8

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[sharpuser]

Try removing your network adapter via Adapter Settings while a USB drive is connected. Windows will rediscover the adapter and install.

If that doesn't work, do it again, but this time, immediately cold reboot after removing the adapter. Keep the USB drive connected.

 

[smasonuk]

Sadly didn't work either... I uninstalled it in device manager, it didn't seem to come back, so I rebooted, and having the same issue.

 

[GatsbyGlen]

I read in another forum someone having the same issue. They tried a different brand and it worked fine. Some suggest that certain models, cheaper ones, will interfere with the radio signal.

 

[smasonuk]

I read in another forum someone having the same issue. They tried a different brand and it worked fine. Some suggest that certain models, cheaper ones, will interfere with the radio signal.

Tried 2 different hard drives and one thumb drive, not sure i've got any others to try.

 

[sharpuser]

@smasonuk

Unfortunately, I believe you have a defective Surface Pro 4. If the problem you are experiencing was widespread, it would be well discussed.
Make sure OneDrive is up to date with your files, and also save your data to one of those USB drives. Then begin the process for an exchange.