Infrared not recognized

I think maybe you did find the fix....but I'd already done the clean install. 

Reloaded 1903 UPGRADE. No IrDA in Control Panel

Ran the Powershell commands you suggested: 

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> get-WindowsCapability -online -Name "Network.Irda~~~~0.0.1.0"

Name         : Network.Irda~~~~0.0.1.0

State        : NotPresent

DisplayName  : IrDA infrared

Description  : Support for IrDA devices. Requires special IrDA hardware.

DownloadSize : 604101

InstallSize  : 1236233

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32>

Then the others: 

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Remove-WindowsCapability -online -Name "Network.Irda~~~~0.0.1.0"

Path          :Online        : TrueRestartNeeded : False

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> add-WindowsCapability -online -Name "Network.Irda~~~~0.0.1.0">>

Path          :Online        : TrueRestartNeeded : False

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> get-WindowsCapability -online -Name "Network.Irda~~~~0.0.1.0"

Name         : Network.Irda~~~~0.0.1.0State        : InstalledDisplayName  : IrDA infraredDescription  : Support for IrDA devices. Requires special IrDA hardware.DownloadSize : 604101InstallSize  : 1236233

**Went and checked Control Panel >>>> IrDA present!!**Plugged in dongle, appeared in Device Manager, indicates 'working properly'.

Tested with both download programs >>>> WORKED!

Interesting how Powershell worked, and the Adding in APPS did not.

Also interesting that Powershell returns different info in 1809 and 1903.

Maybe something bears checking there?

I could not agree more with your statement: "I would guess most people will do 1903 as an upgrade. If you have any idea how the failure of the IrDA dongle to load I think that would be the way to approach it".

Clearly there is a change in the way MS manage the IrDA between 1809 and 1903 (which has been on going since 1511).

My only real question is if an upgrade from 1809 to 1903 drops the infrared; can the PowerShell scripts remove / reinstall the IrDA stack? 

• If yes the answer is simple, fix the broken IrDA stack / protocol.  MS has several quirks, such as making changes by running a script or GUI interface buttons does not always give the same result in all condition (sometimes deliberate to stop poking fingers breaking things and sometimes oversights that get corrected..

I can try to decipher event viewer if you encounter problems; if you decide to investigate to help understand better

Working this morning. Can't find any problems.

I found out about this issue from a forum called ScubaBoard, a world wide diving exchange. The ScubaPro brand of computer that uses this IrDA

is very common so I did this whole 1903 upgrade, then clean install as an experiment. As you see, lots of problems. It would be more reassuring if something had been definitively discovered so it could be fixed. As it is I have no idea how to even troubleshoot the initial failures.

I have not looked at the [event viewer]. I can do that if you think there might be useful information. It's a bit above my 'pay grade', since I generally can't interpret it very well.

I would guess most people will do 1903 as an upgrade. If you have any idea how the failure of the IrDA dongle to load I think that would be the way to approach it. I'm open to putting the upgrade version back on (I have a Macrium backup) if you are willing to work on that.

Thanks for hanging in there.

FWIW I have checked on an 1809 machine, with IrDA working and I get the same results as you for the PowerShell command.  This looks like the PowerShell stuff is brand new in 1903, and likewise the add on option also.

I hope it stays working for you.  Good Luck.