My Surface Go 2 will not connect to the wifi.

Happy Minds Montessori 0 Reputation points
2026-03-17T21:04:23.04+00:00

The tablet that we use for entering the building is not connecting to the internet. It gives the error: The ethernet device is disabled. When I try to reset the network, nothing happens.

Surface | Surface Go | Network
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  1. S.Sengupta 32,351 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-03-18T00:57:07.1366667+00:00

    Open Command Prompt as Admin and copy-paste the following commands:

    netsh winsock reset

    netsh int ip reset

    ipconfig /flushdns

    Restart.

    Press Windows + R

    Type: services.msc

    Find:

    Network Connections

    WLAN AutoConfig

    Right-click → Restart

    Open Device Manager:

    Expand Network adapters

    Uninstall it

    Reboot.

    Update the drivers :

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=102261

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  2. AI answer

    2026-03-17T21:04:40.8766667+00:00

    Follow these steps on the Surface Go 2 to restore Wi‑Fi and address the “ethernet device is disabled” message:

    1. Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter
      1. Select Start and type settings.
      2. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
      3. Select Other troubleshooters.
      4. Next to Network Adapter, select Run and follow the on‑screen steps.
    2. Verify the Wi‑Fi adapter in Device Manager
      1. Select Search on the taskbar, type Device Manager, and open it.
      2. Expand Network adapters.
      3. On a Surface Go 2, look for one of these:
        • Intel® Wi‑Fi 6 AX200/AX201/AX210/AX211
        • Qualcomm Wi‑Fi Network Adapter
        • Marvell AVASTAR Network Controller
      4. Double‑click the Wi‑Fi adapter, go to the Driver tab.
      5. If it is disabled, select Enable Device.
      6. If it appears enabled but Wi‑Fi still does not work, select Disable Device, confirm Yes, then Enable Device again.
      7. Restart the Surface: Start > Power > Restart (or Update and restart if updates are pending).
    3. Remove and reinstall the Wi‑Fi driver (if still not working)
      1. In Device Manager > Network adapters, double‑click the Wi‑Fi adapter.
      2. Open the Driver tab and select Uninstall Device.
      3. Check Delete the driver software for this device, then select OK.
      4. Restart the Surface so Windows reinstalls the driver.
    4. Install the latest Surface and Windows updates
      • If the device can get online (via Wi‑Fi or temporary Ethernet), open Settings > Windows Update and install all updates. This pulls the latest Surface Go 2 drivers and firmware, which can fix Wi‑Fi issues. For manual driver installation, see Download drivers and firmware for Surface.
    5. Check the network itself
      • Confirm the building Wi‑Fi works by connecting another device (phone, laptop). If other devices also fail, restart the modem/router as described in Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows or contact the network provider.

    If after these steps Wi‑Fi still does not appear in Network & internet settings and the adapter is missing from Device Manager, the Surface Go 2 may require hardware service.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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