B650E-F BIOS/WiFi Problems

[Vazonun]

I'll start with my specifications and versions:

MOBO: ROG STRIX B650E-F GAMING WIFI 
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
RAM: G.Skill Flare X5 DDR5 (32 GB)
GPU: Asus Prime RTX 5070

BIOS Version: 3265 (Most recent at time of post)
Windows 11 64Bit

I'm experiencing a strange but very repeatable issue with my system.

After the computer has been powered off for a while (e.g., overnight), when I power it back on, the WiFi adapter is missing — it's as if it doesn’t exist in Windows. No amount of restarting seems to fix it. I've already installed the most up-to-date drivers.

Here’s where it gets strange:
If I reboot the computer and attempt to enter the BIOS (by pressing Del during POST), the startup fails — the system just sits there with the glowing green LED on the motherboard and doesn't proceed.

However, once I force a reboot from that frozen state, everything starts working normally:
1. The WiFi adapter appears again in Windows.
2. I can enter the BIOS without any issues.
3. The system behaves like there was never a problem.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Any advice on troubleshooting steps or things to check would be greatly appreciated!

[Vazonun]

Update (One Week Later):
I've continued testing and wanted to provide some updates and additional findings.

What I’ve tried so far (Issue still persists):
1. Disabled Windows Fast Startup
2. Enabled ErP Ready (S4+S5) in BIOS
3. Disabled USB power while system is off
4. Fresh install of Windows
5. Re-flashing BIOS

None of these resolved the issue.

Newly discovered workaround (more reliable fix):
I found a repeatable workaround that consistently brings the WiFi adapter back without needing to enter BIOS:
1. Unplug the PSU power cable completely from the back of the power supply.
2. Press the power button on the case (you'll hear a faint click — likely a relay — but obviously the system won't power on).
3. Plug the PSU back in, then power on the system normally.
Then, at this point:
The WiFi adapter shows up in Windows again.
BIOS access works as expected.
Everything runs normally, just like after a forced reboot from the previously frozen BIOS entry state.

This leads me to believe there's some kind of low-power state or hardware initialization issue occurring during a cold boot, possibly related to how the motherboard handles peripheral power or the WiFi module specifically.

If anyone has insights on whether this might point to a firmware, chipset initialization, or power rail issue, I'd appreciate further ideas.
Still looking for a real fix, but this workaround has helped make the system usable again after each full shutdown.

[Silent_Scone]

Hi @Vazonun 

I would suspect similar. Have you attempted to update the FW?

https://station-drivers.com/index.php/en/component/remository/Drivers/MediaTek/MediaTek-MT7920-7921-...

https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi/blob/main/home/How_to_Install_Firmware_for_Mediatek_based_USB_W...

[Vazonun]

Hello @Silent_Scone 

I have installed the drivers/firmware you have recommended, but unfortunately the problem still persists.

But regardless, thank you for your help!

[Silent_Scone]

Can you try at Optimised Defaults?

Clear the CMOS. Do not enable EXPO/DOCP overclocking - is the behaviour the same?

[Vazonun]

Due to the nature of the problem, i.e. the system has to be shut down for a period of time, I will let you know if this has improved anything.
Steps taken:
1. CMOS cleared, CMOS battery swapped out to eliminate that as a cause
2. BIOS Settings reversed to Optimised Defaults

EXPO/DOCP settings have never been changed as I have been trouble-shooting this WiFi problem from the beginning. Enabling other settings would only lead to my confusion. 

[Vazonun]

Unfortunately these have not resolved the problem.
CMOS battery replaced and Optimised Defaults reapplied.

For more info (which I never provided in my first post):
Device Manager says: "Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer. (Code 45)" - Although it's a built-in adaptor
It is just the WiFi that doesn't work, Bluetooth (which uses the same antenna) works perfectly fine. LAN also has no problems 
BIOS times according to Task Manager: 12 - 20 s

[xwolk]

I have exactly the same problem, only in addition to Wi-Fi, my LAN also does not work and also shows error 45.
I also tried everything listed above, both with power supply and drivers, I even bought and installed a new power supply and everything still does not work normally. If I forcefully turn off the PC with the power button, holding it for 5 seconds, then turn it on and everything will work, both Wi-Fi and LAN, all day long, you can reboot and turn off the PC for a short time, but if you turn it off and go to sleep for about 8 hours, everything does not work again when you turn it on.
My config

Asus x870e-e gaming

amd 9800x3d

Gskill neo 2x16

2x WD nvme sn850x 1tb

nvidia 5070ti

[Vazonun]

Hey @xwolk,

I am glad to see I am not the only one with this issue! How long have you been dealing with this problem? Have you done any other trouble-shooting?

[xwolk]

How I tried to fix it:
1) Windows: 11 24h2 clean installation, disabled all power saving in the LAN and WiFi driver, prohibited turning off their power, disabled fast startup, set maximum performance in power, updated all available drivers both from the official Asus website and the newest available ones, including the chipset driver.
2) BIOS: installation, reinstallation of the latest version, reset, set pci-e where possible to version 3.0/4.0, turned on and off LAN and WiFi, USB power delivery in the off state, reset to default settings / expo1/2/tweaked.
3) hardware: startup with one RAM bar, disconnecting all USB devices, removing the additional second nvme (both nvme are connected to the chipset lines), turning off the PC from electricity for 24 hours, the battery is 10 minutes. Now I left it and bought an external network card pci-e, and since I have only 2 pci-e connectors on my motherboard, I can't install a sound card.
$500 motherboard that doesn't work properly....