WiFi Win10 problems so Ethernet connection to WiFi network?

An elderly friend and his wife live in a small 2-bedroom flat. They have their own PCs in the second bedroom, separate from the lounge containing the wireless router. They do not want Ethernet cables around the rooms so both PCs have (the same) wireless USB dongles.

One PC runs Win 7, no problems. The other PC auto-upgraded to Win 10 several months ago. From time to time that Win 10 PC drops the dongle and I have to go over there (15 miles) to sort it out, I'll be there again this evening.

To the best of their and my recollection there were no problems when that PC was on Win 7 so that suggests a driver problem, or possibly the dongle is failing.

They wondered about going back to Win 7 but that would be a lot of work - for me, and I don't have the time for several weeks - or a new dongle, one that is certified (?) for Win 10. (They also wondered about replacing the router but I pointed out that it's working fine for the Win 7 PC).

So this generates a number of options and questions, connection speed is not really important, their internet is only around 3-4 Mbps.

Is there a good, reliable, certified for Win 10, USB WiFi dongle?

Is there a way of having something analogous to a WAP in the computer room to convert the wireless signal to an Ethernet connection?

Would Powerline adapters be a solution? Any recommendations for effective, and not overly expensive, adaptors?

Any other - practical - solutions?

If they don't want thernet cables, the sure way seems to be powerline adaptors - but no guarantees offered as to usability.
Since the dongles are identical, why not try swapping them?

Are the PCs also identical (for hardware)?

In reply to a post by dandnsmith:

If they don't want thernet cables, the sure way seems to be powerline adaptors - but no guarantees offered as to usability.

Fair enough.

In reply to a post by dandnsmith:

Since the dongles are identical, why not try swapping them?

Good idea, I'll see their reaction this evening. Trouble is it can go for weeks before it drops out.

In reply to a post by dandnsmith:

Are the PCs also identical (for hardware)?

Very similar in RAM, HDD size, processor, but as they're some months apart in age they'll have some difference, e.g. motherboard.

I had a similar problem with a TP-link adapter on my parents' PC that upgraded itself to Windows 10.

Not the solution you were looking for but the issue went away after a fresh install of windows 10

I'd wondered about that, but I really don't have the time to go through that.

Aah the joys of computers !
This problem should be easy to fix by first swapping the dongles and rebooting, they could easily do this without a visit from you.
Then following further failures either get a new dongle with Win10 drivers or if the dongle is ok grab Win 10 drivers from TP Link and update the driver.
You could also try using a different USB port then reboot. I presume you have checked they have good wifi signal strength in the PC Room.

There's a pair of TP Link 500's going for £25 at Amazon.

Remote desktop would allow you to update drivers without a 30 mile round trip.

Then again, if the wifi is out...

Just a thought.

John

In reply to a post by Deadbeat:

There's a pair of TP Link 500's going for £25 at Amazon.

would be better to get the ones with 2 outlets (about £3 more), so both machines could be plugged in

As I enjoy their conversation (and coffee) my email to them inviting myself over just about crossed with one from them saying they had a problem. So the journey is no hardship.

I remembered this morning that I had a couple of old Comtrend Powerline adapters that I'd been given and had tried at our church to resolve an issue, are not being used as the issue has been sorted differently. So I brought them back today and have just tried them on my home desktop - which is normally wired.

They worked perfectly. So I'll take them and some network cables this evening and see what's what. They have a power pass through socket so there's no need for spare sockets. Just have to persuade the couple not to switch them off.