Suddenly: WiFi Adapter Is No Longer Recognized!

[Bulldog]

After working perfectly with Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, my 2-year old Asus USB-N53 wireless adapter is no longer recognized by Windows.

Device Manager says: Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed); Code 43.

I am using the most recent driver from Asus, which I uninstalled and re-installed to no avail. The device uses a Ralink chip but installing Ralink drivers doesn't help either. Neither does using a different USB port.

According to Asus technical support, USB-N53 is not supported on Windows 8.1, only Windows 8, and it's only because of a "glitch" (their term) that the device works at all on Windows 8.1. I find that argument hard to believe. Even if you look past the idea of whether Win 8.1 is a new OS or just an update to Win 8, I couldn't find a single USB WiFi adapter on Asus' website that specifies Windows 8.1 support. Did Asus choose to ignore this market?

Okay, rant against Asus support is over. Has anyone found a solution to my problem?

 

[stevech]

Troubleshooting process of elimination:

Suspect USB WiFi adapter bad.
Won't work with PC #1
Try it in PC #2
And try some other USB WiFi adapter in PC #1

and so on, logically.

THen buy Windows 7 CD and dump windows 8. Separate issue.

 

[TonyH]

Hi,
My hunch is the adapter went South. Wife got a new laptop with W8.1 Pro. She thinks it is W7 box.
I changed to classic desktop, no metro desktop, LOL!

 

[Bulldog]

Thanks for your help and for overlooking my rant.

A second USB-N53 works perfectly in my computer, as does a D-Link adapter. Conclusion: My original USB-N53 had a short life.

I should have mentioned that I have Windows 8.1 Stardock Edition. Start screen? Never heard of it.