How to connect Wi-Fi to a Lenovo B570e laptop: from drivers to router settings

Laptop Lenovo B570e — a popular model from the early 2010s that's still used in offices, schools, and homes. However, owners often face a problem: Wi-Fi won't connect, even though the internet works reliably on other devices. This could be due to a disabled adapter, missing drivers, or incorrect network settings. In this article, we'll cover all the solutions, from basic to advanced.

Model B570e was equipped with Wi-Fi adapters from Broadcom, Intel or Atheros (depending on the revision). This means that there are no universal instructions—the algorithm of actions depends on the hardware and Windows version. We will consider options for Windows 7, 8.1, and 10, and we will also give advice on diagnosing hardware faults.

If you are setting up your laptop for the first time or have just reinstalled your system, start by checking physical activation of the adapter — this is the most common reason for a lack of network connectivity. If Wi-Fi was working previously but suddenly disappeared, the culprit could be a driver update, a virus, or a registry error.

1. Checking that Wi-Fi is physically enabled

On Lenovo B570e The Wi-Fi adapter is controlled hardware switch and a keyboard shortcut. If the wireless network indicator (usually blue or orange) is not lit, the adapter is disabled.

To enable it:

1. Find it on the laptop case slide switch (located on the front or side panel). Move it to the position «ON».
2. Use hot keys - hold down Fn + F5 (or Fn + F2(depending on the BIOS version). A notification about Wi-Fi being enabled should appear on the screen.

If the switch is broken or the keys are unresponsive, the adapter may still be disabled at the BIOS level. In this case, you will need to:

• 🔧 Restart your laptop and enter the BIOS (key F2 or Del when loading).
• 🔍 Find a section Advanced → Wireless and make sure that the parameter Wireless LAN installed in Enabled.
• 💾 Save settings (F10) and reboot.

⚠️ Attention: On some revisions B570e The hardware switch mechanically locks the Wi-Fi antenna. If the slider is stuck, do not attempt to force it, as this may damage the circuit board.

2. Diagnose the adapter in Device Manager

If Wi-Fi doesn't turn on using the keys, check if the adapter is recognized by the system. To do this:

1. Click Win + R, enter devmgmt.msc and confirm Enter.
2. Expand the branch Network Adapters.

Ideally, the adapter should appear here with the type name:

• Broadcom 802.11n,
• Intel Centrino Wireless-N,
• Atheros AR9285.

If instead of the title you see "Unknown device" or an icon with an exclamation mark, the problem is driversIf there is no adapter at all, there may be a hardware failure (the antenna cable may be disconnected or the module may be burned out).

What should I do if the adapter is not displayed?

If the Wi-Fi module is not visible in the Device Manager, check:

1. Connecting the antenna wires to the module (requires disassembling the laptop).

2. The integrity of the module itself - it may fail due to overheating or power surges.

3. BIOS settings (see section 1).

If the adapter is physically intact but is not detected, try resetting the BIOS to factory settings (remove the CMOS battery for 10 minutes).

3. Installing and updating drivers

Most of the problems with Wi-Fi on Lenovo B570e are being decided with the correct driversOfficial drivers for this model can be downloaded from Lenovo's website, but they are often outdated. It's better to use drivers from the chip manufacturer's websites (Intel, Broadcom).

Installation algorithm:

1. Determine the adapter model (see section 2).
2. Download the driver for your version of Windows:
   • 🌐 For Intel: [downloadcenter.intel.com](https://downloadcenter.intel.com)
   • 🌐 For Broadcom: Search by model on [support.lenovo.com](https://support.lenovo.com)

Remove the old driver via Device Manager → Adapter Properties → Driver → Uninstall.

Install the new driver and restart your laptop.

Important: If after installing the driver Wi-Fi still does not work, check BIOS version. For B570e current version - 4FCN28WW (or newer). You can update the BIOS using the utility Lenovo BIOS Update from the official website.

Download the driver for your specific adapter model|Create a system restore point|Disable your antivirus software during installation|Connect your laptop to a power source-->

4. Setting up a Wi-Fi connection in Windows

If the adapter is enabled and the drivers are installed, but networks are still not displayed, check your connection settings:

1. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center.
2. Select Change adapter settings.
3. Find Wireless network connection (or Wi-Fi) and make sure that it included (not gray).

If the network is visible but does not connect:

• 🔑 Make sure you enter the correct password (case sensitive!).
• 🔄 Reboot your router (unplug it for 30 seconds).
• 📡 Check if your network's SSID is hidden (in your router settings).

Critical feature Lenovo B570eSome Broadcom adapters don't support modern encryption standards (such as WPA3). If your router uses WPA3, switch it to WPA2-PSK in the security settings.

⚠️ Attention: If after connecting to Wi-Fi the Internet works, but periodically “freezes”, disable the parameter in the adapter properties Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power (tab Power Management).

5. Router and compatibility issues

Sometimes it's not the laptop's fault, but router settings. Lenovo B570e with adapters Broadcom 4313 or Atheros AR9285 may conflict with:

• 📶 Wi-Fi channels higher than 11 (in Russia, 1–13 are allowed, but some adapters do not see 12–13).
• 🔒 WPA3 encryption or mixed mode WPA2/WPA3.
• 📡 802.11n-only mode (try enabling compatibility with 802.11b/g).

Recommended router settings for B570e:

Parameter	Recommended value
Wi-Fi standard	802.11b/g/n (mixed)
Channel width	20 MHz (auto)
Channel	1–11 (manually)
Security	WPA2-PSK (AES)

If after the changes the laptop still does not connect, try reset the router to factory settings (button Reset for 10 seconds) and configure it again.

6. Alternative connection methods

If Wi-Fi is on Lenovo B570e still doesn't work, consider temporary solutions:

• 🌐 USB Wi-Fi adapter: Connect an external adapter (eg. TP-Link TL-WN725N) into the USB port. This will bypass problems with the built-in module.
• 🔌 Ethernet over USB: Use an adapter USB-to-Ethernet, if there is a router with a free LAN port nearby.
• 📱 Mobile hotspot: Share the Internet from your smartphone (turn on Modem mode in the phone settings).

For a permanent solution, it is worth replacing the Wi-Fi module inside the laptop. Lenovo B570e supports modules of the format Mini PCIe (For example, Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205). Replacement takes 10-15 minutes and requires a screwdriver and care.

7. Diagnostics of hardware faults

If none of the methods helped, the problem may be in hardware:

• 🔌 The antennas are disconnected: Two thin black wires run from the Wi-Fi module to the screen. They're easy to snag when disassembling the laptop.
• 🔥 The module burned out: Power surges or overheating can cause the adapter to fail. In this case, it won't even be detected in the BIOS.
• 🔋 Nutritional issues: A faulty battery or power supply may not provide enough voltage to operate Wi-Fi.

To check antennas:

1. Remove the back cover of the laptop (unscrew the screws and carefully pry up the latches).
2. Locate the Wi-Fi module (usually located under the keyboard or next to the RAM).
3. Make sure the two black wires (MAIN And AUX) are tightly connected to the module connectors.

⚠️ Attention: When disassembling Lenovo B570e Be careful with the keyboard and touchpad cables—they're fragile. If you're unsure, contact a service center.

Lenovo B570e Wi-Fi FAQ

🔹 Why can't my laptop detect 5 GHz networks?

Adapters in Lenovo B570e (For example, Broadcom 4313 or Atheros AR9285) only support the range 2.4 GHzTo connect to a 5 GHz network, you need to:

1. Buy an external USB adapter that supports 5 GHz (for example, TP-Link Archer T2U).
2. Or replace the internal module with a compatible one (for example, Intel 7260, but BIOS compatibility check is required).

🔹 How to reset network settings in Windows?

If Wi-Fi connects but the internet doesn't work, reset the TCP/IP stack:

1. Run Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Execute the commands in order:

   netsh winsock reset
   netsh int ip reset
   ipconfig /flushdns

3. Restart your laptop.

🔹 Is it possible to use Wi-Fi without drivers?

No. Without drivers, the adapter won't be recognized by the system. However, in a pinch, you can:

• Connect to the Internet via Ethernet or USB modem.
• Download the driver for another device and transfer it to the laptop via a flash drive.

🔹 Why is Wi-Fi working, but the speed is very slow?

Reasons for low speed on Lenovo B570e:

• 📡 The 2.4 GHz channel is overloaded (change the channel in the router settings to 1, 6, or 11).
• 🔋 Power saving (disable it in the adapter properties).
• 🔄 Outdated router firmware (update it).
• 🛡️ Antivirus or VPN are blocking traffic (temporarily disable them for the test).

🔹 Where can I download original drivers for the Lenovo B570e?

Official drivers can be found:

• On the website support.lenovo.com (enter model) B570e in search).
• On the websites of chip manufacturers:
  • Intel: downloadcenter.intel.com
  • Broadcom: search by adapter model (for example, BCM4313).

⚠️ Avoid third-party driver websites - they often contain viruses.