9/29/2015 firmware caused wifi "device cannot be started"

Anonymous

Split from this thread.

I have no idea what the update contained, other than the fact that it totally hosed my wifi. Device manager reports that the "device cannot be started". Wonderful.

Is it possible to go back to an older firmware version? If so, how?

How does something like this happen when a single company has complete control of both hardware and software? A complete lack of ability to execute a product, in my opinion.

Unbelievable, Microsoft!

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Anonymous

On Mon, 5 Oct 2015 02:44:21 +0000, Arnold001 wrote:

>>I know that there was an update on Sept 30, and I find the coincidence too great that suddenly I got device error messages then and now my WiFi devices don't work. Is there a fix coming?

If you've rebooted twice and there is no change, right now the fix is to do a

System Restore back to before this firmware update was installed.

Edit 10/06/2015: Two people have reported in that uninstalling Kaspersky fixes their issue.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Barb

Windows Experience MVP

My Blog - http://digitalmediaphile.com/

Please mark as answered if this answers your question

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Anonymous

Hey all,

Thanks for sharing the details regarding your experiences with the Surface Firmware Update from 9/29. Barb Bowman already mentioned to perform two (2) restarts so I'm just adding a little bit more to her advice (thanks Barb).

MODERATOR EDIT (10/6/2015): I am adding/updating steps to help address Wi-Fi availability after taking the 9/29/2015 Surface Firmware Update.

Step 1 – System Restore Point

1. After Windows Update install, Surface will automatically request a restart (not shutdown).

2. After Surface restarts, sign in and perform another restart (not Shutdown) to finish installing the update. Press the Windows Start Menu, press Power and select Restart.

3. After Surface restarts, sign in and see if you can now connect to your Wi-Fi network.

If you are able to connect to Wi-Fi, no additional steps are needed. If you are not able to connect to Wi-Fi then go to step 2 below.

Step 2 – Uninstall the Wi-Fi Driver

1. Right-click the Windows Start Menu and click Device Manager.

2. Double-click on Network Adapters to expand the list of network adapters.

3. Double-click on the Marvel AVASTAR network adapter.

4. Click on the Driver tab.

5. Click Uninstall.

6. Make sure that “Delete the driver software for this device” is not checked. Click OK.

7. Click the Action menu and click Scan for hardware changes.

8. Restart (not Shutdown) Surface. Press the Windows Start Menu, press Power and select Restart.

If you are able to connect to Wi-Fi, no additional steps are needed. If you are not able to connect to Wi-Fi then go to step 3 below.

Step 3 – System Restore Point

1. Boot Surface using USB recovery media. If you do not have recovery media you can download from here: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/warranty-service-and-recovery/downloadablerecoveryimage. Once you have recovery media proceed to next steps. Note: The USB drive must be formatted to FAT32 (not NTFS) in order to work correctly.

2. Press and hold the volume-down button while you press and release the power button. When the Surface logo appears release the volume-down button.

3. When prompted select the language and keyboard layout you want.

4. Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, followed by selecting System Restore then select the target operating system.

5. In System Restore, click Next.

6. Click on a system restore point that was prior to applying the System Firmware update. Please use a restore point 9/28 or earlier.

7. Click Next.

8. Click Finish.

9. Click Yes when asked if you want to continue.

10. After moving to an earlier restore point you should boot into Windows.

If you are able to connect to Wi-Fi, no additional steps are needed. If you are not able to connect to Wi-Fi then go to step 2 below.

Step 4 – Reset Surface to factory settings

1. Follow the steps in the article below to boot Surface using USB recovery media and reset Surface back to factory settings:

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/warranty-service-and-recovery/usbrecovery

As always, if this information doesn't address the missing WiFi scenario we want to hear from you.

Thanks,

Josh

P.S. We are working to manage your feedback and experiences with the blue screen after update here: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/surfpro3-surfusingwin10/repeated-bsod-after-firmware-update-surface-pro-3/529a1da2-3657-43f9-9af1-81c183650ce4. Please post comments on the blue screen scenario in that thread.

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155 additional answers

Anonymous

2015-10-03T21:40:10+00:00

Hello Barb. I am just an average consumer. A retiree with very little or any IT experience. How is the average person supposed to handle all of this. I just do not have a clue what all of you people are talking about. All of this IT speak is beyond me. I am still on 8.1 and intend to stay there. I also do not intend to do any more updates of any description thank you very much. I think it is about time for heads to roll at Microsoft starting with the CEO (that Indian guy by the name of Nadella) who has been a complete failure imho. Also the heads of the various software teams along with their staff need to be shown the door. Who was the idiot who decided that consumers are idiots and that Microsoft knows better so we (Microsoft) will force updates on consumers devices. What right do Microsoft have to do that?That is a typical ARROGANT American Attitude. As we all know Americans are very arrogant people who are always trying to tell the rest of the world how to live their lives and to do what America says. Only problem is America and Americans cannot get their act together. I am afraid to say this but most Americans are not as smart or as intelligent as they think they are. Just look at all the shootings there are in your country. I rest my case.

I think once the iPad pro is released I will be ditching my Surface Pro3 and getting one of those. At least the people at Apple seem to know what they are doing. I do not own an Microsoft mobile phone (still using a Nokia) and do not intend to get one. I have been using Windows devices (computers, laptops, handheld devices, pocket pc's etc) since 1995 but this fiasco is the last straw.

Perhaps Barb you can pass my comments on to your contacts at Microsoft.

Oh! and I think it is time for Bill Gates to go as well. But for good this time.
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Anonymous

2015-10-04T05:31:30+00:00

Thanks for all you do Barb.
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Anonymous

2015-10-04T06:41:36+00:00

Hi,

Upgrade from 8.1Pro to 10 Pro. Before firmware update, SP3 was functioning beautifully with Windows 10.

Mine got the same problem. After update firmware 29/9/2015 - NO Wireless Devices detected even though in the device manager the Marvall AVASTAR driver got no problem. Apart from that there is no Bluetooth device in the Device Manager.

So, no WIFI devices detected in SP3 even though there is a driver in Device Manager and completely no Bluetooth icons at all in the device manager and All setting under Connections.

I have done for the wifi device in Device Manager: 1. Disable and enable, 2.uninstall and reboot, 3. changed drivers by list, reboot 4. Update using the SurfacePro3_Win10_150929_1.msi. 5. Update to Surface Ethernet Adapter. There is no lan detected as well as wireless device detected. Cannot use Lan connection. 6. Roll back the Firmware on Surface Pro System Aggregate.

All these to no avail.

So, how long would MS come up with the solution or patch?

Thank you.
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