No internet access

Hi. I’m hoping it isn’t bad form to post a super long post here, but I’ve looked at past posts in trying to solve this issue and can’t find an answer to all my questions.

So here goes:

I’ve had a Framework 13 (AMD Ryzen 7040 series with a Windows 10 operating system) since summer 2024.

A few days ago, out of nowhere, my internet stopped working. No available wifi networks were listed. My internet provider tried to help me troubleshoot but concluded the issue was with my computer; they had me switch from a public to private network designation (for some reason my home network was listed as public) and added my laptop to my internet account (for some reason it hadn’t been on there, even though I’d been accessing the internet from it for years). After their helping me troubleshoot, the list of available wifi networks came back. I also can “connect” intermittently to my home (apartment building’s) internet but can’t actually access the internet. I mention all this in case any of it could be relevant.

I’ve tried changing different settings and keep restarting my laptop, hoping something will fix the problem.

In Device Manager, I found two devices that “require further installation”; one is a bluetooth and the other is a network adapter, RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E. I also found a long list of “other devices” (PCIs, lans, etc.) with yellow error triangles by them.

I haven’t updated the drivers or BIOS since I’ve had the laptop.

I’m guessing some combination of these things are causing the internet issue. I tried deleting those two devices that indicate they require further install and all the “other devices” that had errors (fully wiping all these devices from the computer so windows wouldn’t automatically reinstall them).

I then downloaded the newest drivers and BIOS from Framework’s site (not to my laptop, since it has no internet anymore but to my Android phone), plugged my phone into my laptop, transferred the downloads from my phone to a new folder on my laptop, and ran both the driver and BIOS updates as administrators. I’ve repeated that process multiple times in different orders, but those two devices still indicate they require further installation, and the devices that were showing an error message don’t have drivers associated with them anymore.

I’ve messaged Framework support about this but have heard they usually take a while to get back to folks.

I figure my downloading these drivers and BIOS made for Windows 11 when I have Windows 10 could also be causing issues.

So now, I’m trying to figure out 1) How to get working internet again and 2) Whether I should just pay for and download Windows 11 while I’m at it, since support for 10 ends soon anyway. (I realize there are other OS such as Linux and Ubuntu, but from what I understand those are a little more hands-on, and I’m not yet as well-versed in computers and their OS as I’d like to be).

Ideally there’s a solution that doesn’t involve purchasing new parts, especially if I’m paying to upgrade to Windows 11.

Does anyone have any fixes or advice? Thanks in advance.

I may be mistaken here, but Windows 10 on your platform is not officially supported. Only Windows 11. I believe the only generation of mainboard that officially supported Windows 10 is the 11th gen mainboards.

The good news is that if you have a valid Windows 10 license, you should be able to upgrade to Windows 11 for free.

However, since your wifi was working and is no longer working, there is a good chance something else is wrong.

Framework support is the best way to go in that event.

Thanks for your reply!

The windows thing is tricky to figure out. I’ve found some sources that say it can be supported on the newest BIOS/driver versions and others that say it can’t. I think I should just assume it can’t.

I’ve messaged Framework support as well, so hopefully I hear back from them.