Alex Ruben
How To Troubleshoot PC Restarts and Blue Screen Errors When Connecting to WiFi or Ethernet
How to Fix PC Restart and Blue Screen Issues When Connecting to WiFi or Ethernet
Dealing with random reboots or those infamous blue screens while trying to get your internet going isn’t just annoying—it can mess up your day pretty quick. Usually, it’s some driver conflict, faulty network hardware, or corrupted system files that’s causing the mess. If your PC crashes or restarts when connecting to WiFi or Ethernet, this guide aims to help you sort through some common culprits and fix it. Basically, these steps will hopefully stabilize your connection and stop the crashes. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary, right?
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Start by disconnecting your network
Yep, as simple as it sounds—unplug or disable WiFi/Ethernet first. It prevents any ongoing issues from getting worse while you mess around in the system.
Access Device Manager for driver updates
Head to Control Panel > System and Security > Device Manager or right-click This PC on the desktop and choose Manage. Then click on Device Manager in the sidebar.
Expand Network Adapters, locate your WiFi or Ethernet device, right-click it, and pick Update Driver. See if there’s an update available—Windows sometimes fetches a newer version that fixes bugs or compatibility issues.
If Windows can’t find anything automatic, you might need to visit the manufacturer’s website (like Intel, Realtek, or Intel) for the latest driver. Sometimes, they have specific download pages for drivers. If you do get a new driver, install it and reboot before testing your connection again.
Double-check bandwidth and advanced settings
If updating drivers doesn’t do the trick, poke around the driver properties: right-click and choose Properties. Look for the Advanced tab. Here, find options like Bandwidth or similar. Sometimes setting this to 20 MHz only helps, especially if your device is flaky on wider channels. This can help stabilize the connection and reduce crashes, especially on crowded networks or older hardware.
Also, keep in mind that some drivers have settings that can cause instability—turning off certain features might be necessary. It’s a bit of trial and error, but worth trying.
Disable power management to avoid disconnects
In the same Properties window, go to the Power Management tab. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Windows sometimes turns off network parts to save energy, which can cause unexpected disconnects and reboots. Disabling this option often smooths out connection hiccups. After that, reboot your PC and check if the crashes still happen.
Temporarily turn off VPN or antivirus software
If you’re running any VPNs or security programs, try disabling them for a bit. These apps can interfere with network drivers or block certain components, leading to system instability. Disable, then reconnect and see if it holds steady. If this fixes it, look into adjusting the settings or switching to a different security solution. Just a heads up: sometimes, switching off security is necessary to troubleshoot, but don’t forget to turn it back on after.
Run System File Checker (SFC) scan
This one’s a classic but effective. It checks for corrupted Windows system files and repairs them automatically. To do it:
- Press Windows + R, then type
cmd. - Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Type
sfc /scannowand press Enter. Let it run—it might take a bit.
This process scans and repairs any damaged system files that could cause system crashes, including those triggered by network issues. Once done, reboot and check if the crashes persist.
Try swapping or reconnecting the WiFi adapter/dongle
If you’re using a USB WiFi stick, unplug it and try plugging it into a different port. Sometimes, certain USB ports are flaky or don’t provide enough power, which can cause driver issues or disconnects. This worked for some setups where the hardware was just not playing nice with the port.
Extra Tips & Troubleshooting Tricks
On some setups, driver conflicts or OS bugs are the root cause. Here are some extras you might want to try:
- Make sure your Windows install is fully up to date. Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Check the Microsoft support pages for known issues with your network drivers and OS version.
- Rollback to a previous driver if the latest update caused instability. You can do this in Device Manager by right-clicking the device, selecting Properties, then the Driver tab, and choosing Roll Back Driver if available.
Wrap-up
Most network-related restarts and BSODs come down to driver issues, hardware conflicts, or corrupted system files. Running through these steps—updating drivers, adjusting advanced settings, disabling power management—can definitely help quiet things down. Remember, Windows can be confusing about network stuff, so patience is key. Sometimes, a quick reset of the network adapter or reinstalling drivers is all it takes to get back on track.
Summary
- Disconnect from WiFi/Ethernet before troubleshooting
- Update network drivers, or reinstall if needed
- Adjust advanced properties like bandwidth
- Disable power management for network devices
- Temporarily disable VPN/antivirus to test
- Run system file checker (sfc /scannow)
- Try different USB ports if using external adapters
- Keep your Windows updated and check for driver rollbacks
Fingers crossed this helps
Hopefully, these steps clean up the crashes and give a smoother internet experience. Sometimes it’s just a matter of fiddling with settings or drivers to fix the root cause. Anyway, good luck, and may your system stay stable from now on!