Network adapter is named "Wi-Fi 2" and will not let me name it "Wi-Fi"

Here are my computer specs: http://speccy.piriform.com/results/YEReYhO1CM8Ezh7wLqP8gS0

I'm not sure exactly when the issue started. I recently upgraded my motherboard, ram and cpu. Only stuff I kept was the graphics card, psu and hard drives.. one ssd and one hdd along with the case and its fans.

Anyways when I go to settings>network & internet I can see the adapter is named "Wi-Fi 2"

But I just want it named "Wi-Fi"

I tried renaming it by going to settings>networking & security>advanced network settings then clicking "Wi-Fi 2" under "network adapters" towards the top.

It then says "You can use a combination of letters, hyphens, spaces and numbers. Specify a different name."

I then closed that window and opened control panel>network & sharing center>change adapter settings then right clicked "Wi-Fi 2" and selected rename. When I try to name it "Wi-Fi" it says "Cannot rename this connection. A connection with the name you specified already exists. Specify a different name"

Not sure if it's worth mentioning.. but before I upgraded the motherboard I used a network adapter that plugged in via usb port. It was a Netgear A6210. I have also used a different network adapter that plugged in via usb port and it was a Netgear WNDA3100v3.

I'm not sure if either of those are still installed or not or if they're somehow causing the issue??? Neither of them are plugged into the computer right now though.

Anyways the new motherboard has built in wifi and bluetooth.. and comes with a On-board Intel WiFi 6E AX210 with a wifi antenna thing that plugs into 2 ports in the back.

I also ran command prompt as admin and used "set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1"

I then opened device manager and clicked "view" then "show hidden devices"

I'm not seeing any grayed out wifi adapters or anything. So I must have already removed the old ones I don't use anymore.

I also tried the stuff in this post: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/106456-rename-network-adapter-windows.html#option2

Also tried stuff from here as well: https://superuser.com/questions/323331/how-to-get-rid-of-auto-generated-sequence-number-in-networks-device-name-in-win

I have some screenshots that show the issue...

In one of them you can see I also tried a powershell command which also didn't work.

Just to be clear.. the issue is not the name of the wifi network... it's the name of the adapter. A lot of articles I've read seem to be people asking for help that are confused between adapter and wifi name.. then the people trying to help those people are also sometimes confused. The name of my network is "J" and the adapter is "Wi-Fi 2" but I want it named "Wi-Fi"

But apparently something somewhere else already has that named and I need to either remove that something.. or rename that something before I can rename "Wi-Fi 2" to just "Wi-Fi"

Any help would be awesome. I've read lots of posts and the stuff I've tried so far hasn't worked.

Again I'm not sure when the issue started but I just want it resolved without having to reinstall windows.

Edit: I am sometimes able to get the name of the adapter to change in the old style control panel where it shows the network adapters. But as for the new "settings" panel under settings>network and internet it never reflects that change.. even after restarting computer. The way I change the name in the old style control panel was by changing the "friendly" name somewhere in the registry. I don't remember exactly where though.

Edited by thatoneguyyep101, 04 December 2022 - 06:05 PM.

Hi, yup delete as per above.  Below is only fyi.

Suggest update your BIOS to current Version : Version 1601   2022/11/24  https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z590-e-gaming-wifi-model/helpdesk_bios/ from 1402

as well as any new drivers may have missed.   Note : most drivers will be removed 5yrs from birth of your M/B.

Suggest get more air to your KINGSTON SA400S37240G (SSD) Temperature: 110 °F Temperature Range: OK (less than 122 °F)  move to in front of a fan.  Not a big deal but cooler is better .

Your i9-11900K has a Download link off it's Spec Page : https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/212325/intel-core-i911900k-processor-16m-cache-up-to-5-30-ghz.html

Once chip is deemed obsolete the remove all downloads, suggest keep in touch with page.

Problem if been taking any MS Driver Updates it possibly installed drivers for that and took out your Motherboard Drivers from your Support Page.

Do not accept them any more : https://www.groovypost.com/howto/disable-automatic-hardware-driver-updates-on-windows-10/#:~:text=If%20you

So after download as suggested your drivers from M/B Support Page, delete from Device Manager and install your Drivers.

also : https://www.windowscentral.com/how-roll-back-device-driver-windows-10

The Wifi Network Name has to be changed in the Router, not at the OS Level!

The Wifi Network Name has to be changed in the Router, not at the OS Level!

Its the name seen in the Network Configuration window and is separate from the SSID/BSSID seen from the router.

Open an elevated command prompt and type

netsh interface show interface

Post a screenshot

@thatoneguyyep101  Why you would ever want to Rename your Network Adapter is beyond me?  Ridiculous to put so much effort into something that has no merit to change, and may cause you problems down the road.

@thatoneguyyep101  Why you would ever want to Rename your Network Adapter is beyond me?  Ridiculous to put so much effort into something that has no merit to change, and may cause you problems down the road.

I agree. It's just a name.

Personal preference and what not is my only guess.

@cryptodan It doesn't let me delete it... see picture in this reply please.

@Pkshadow Thank you, I updated the bios, as for the fan I'll look into it more! I'll also download all the drivers for the motherboard and processor and keep them on a flash drive along with screenshots of the descriptions just so I have them in the future.. or whoever if I sell it when I upgrade.

@Pkshadow Regarding the MS driver updates.. I do think there is some sort of issue with my driver.. but not sure how to fix it. When I turn on the computer my program called Intel Driver and Support Assistant has been telling me that there is an update for "Windows® 10 and Windows 11* Wi-Fi Drivers for Intel® Wireless Adapters" it also says "This download record installs the Windows® 10 and Windows 11* WiFi package drivers 22.180.0 for the Wi-Fi 6E/Wi-Fi 6/9000/8000 series Intel® Wireless Adapters." Version 22.180.0.4 release date November 15, 2022.

However when I try to install it I get an error saying an issue caused setup to fail. It doesn't say what the issue is though and I'm unsure where to go to find the log or whatever.. if there is one.

@pcpunk This post has nothing to do with the wifi name itself. I'm trying to change the network adapter name. My network name is J and the wifi adapter is calling itself Wi-Fi 2.

I have no issue with the network name.

@JohnC_21 The screenshot you asked for is included in this response!

@pcpunk If you don't want to help it's totally alright. What I choose to put effort into is my decision. I simply came here asking for help and suggestions. Is that some sort of issue??

As for anyone else that feels they need some sort of explanation.. it doesn't have to be changed. I realize that. It did however just used to be called Wi-Fi and I'm unsure as to why it's now Wi-Fi 2 and it refuses to let me delete or rename it. I do realize it's not a big deal. It's not really the name that bothers me.. because I can rename it just fine. Just not to Wi-Fi because apparently something else is using that name. Yet nothing is showing up. So I guess I'm confused and just want to see what went wrong for such a silly issue to even happen.

Also me coming on here and asking for help shouldn't be an issue with anyone. I'm just trying to simply learn more. Last I checked part of the reason this forum exists is for people to ask for help, provide others with help, better educate themselves and whatnot. So to respond to someone's post saying stuff like "it's not a big deal" or "why on earth would op want to change blah blah is beyond me" isn't really contributing to anything and I'd rather you just not, thanks.

Edited by cryptodan, 05 December 2022 - 06:17 PM.

 

 

I'm trying to change the network adapter name.

I know that now, just trying to keep you out of trouble.  Since this is a non-issue and could cause you problems, I was just giving you my advice.  Sometimes you have to know what and what not to bother with to stay out of trouble.  

Did you have a second Adapter that was connected at one time close to when this started?

I don't see a command prompt image.

@cryptodan I tried disconnecting it and have also tried disabling it as well.. the option to delete stays grayed out. Even tried refreshing that control panel page a few times. Picture attached.

@pcpunk I understand what you mean. I'm just trying to learn more and would like to figure out at least what's causing the issue. If anything I have another network adapter I could use. Or I also have the drivers on my flash drive. I mentioned in my first post that I have used two other network adapters with this computer before I upgraded the motherboard and stuff.. I think they're currently uninstalled but not for sure. I also use expressvpn sometimes.

@JohnC_21 My bad. I remember selecting the file but I must have forgot to click the "attach this file" button. It should be in this reply!

Edited by thatoneguyyep101, 05 December 2022 - 07:10 PM.