Reboot Safe mode with networking

johnb · Aug 9, 2023

I've been trying to boot a New Dell XPS into safe mode with networking and I have no problem getting it in safe mode but the internet connection is not there even after selecting with networking. It doesn't make a difference if I use wifi or a network cable hooked straight up.. I've done it on other computers but not this one any ideas? using win 11 pro

glasskuter · Aug 9, 2023

Windows Safe mode does not allow connecting to a WiFi, only ethernet.

Things to try:

run network troubleshooter Settings>System>troubleshoot>other Troubleshooters>Network and Internet>RUN (Some report this is not available in safe mode but it is for others.)
Reset network adapters Reset Network Adapters in Windows 11 Tutorial
Update your network adapter driver from Dell site. The Dell Command Update app on your computer is great for keeping drivers and UEFI bios updated. OR, if your ethernet adapter driver is Intel, I suggest using the Intel Driver and Support Assist tool. Intel updates their networking drivers really often and the latest is not always on the Dell site. With my Dell, I usually run Dell Command Update first, then the Intel tool. That way I'm covered all the way around.
Make sure you have no corrupt system files that is causing this problem. Open a command prompt as administrator and type sfc /scannow
Pay attention to the scan results to see if SFC found anything it could not repair. If it found corruption it could not fix followup with this command (note the spaces)
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
Restart computer

Try3 · Aug 9, 2023

1 Please ask yourself why you want to use Safe mode with networking.
Boot to Safe Mode - ElevenForumTutorials

2 Safe mode is intended to avoid all non-MS software so might not load your Ethernet adapter driver. It might attempt to use an MS equivalent. Find out by looking in Device manager whilst you are in Safe mode with networking.

Best of luck,
Denis

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zbook · Aug 10, 2023

Each computer manufacturer / model may or may not allow safe mode with Wifi.

To see if the feature is available see post #3 in this link:

Attempting to use Wi-Fi in Safe Mode with Networking - Windows 10 Help Forums

Hi all - Tried nearly everything to get the Device Driver to load in Safe Mode with Networking. Take a peek: Has anyone been able to successfully do this via Wi-Fi? Note Code 37. TIA,

www.tenforums.com

glasskuter · Aug 10, 2023

zbook said:
manufacturer / model may or may not allow safe mode with Wifi

It's a big fat no for my Dell so his XPS is probably the same.. I just tried it and wasn't even aware of it until I tested it. And I don't even have a lan cable coming into this room anymore. It's a good thing I so rarely have to use safe mode. I'm going to poke around in bios to see if I see anything.

Try3 · Aug 10, 2023

glasskuter said:
It's a big fat no for my Dell

Out of interest, what ethernet & WiFi drivers does Device manager show in your Safe mode?

All the best,
Denis

x BlueRobot · Aug 10, 2023

You can load third-party drivers in Safe Mode with Networking if you tell Windows to do so.

You just need to add the driver subkey to the following:

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Network

fg2001gf11F · Oct 26, 2023

This problem has been reported in FBH but never got a fix or even a reply. It happens with any Windows 11 Build.
In this case it is a Dell XPS 8940 Desktop and both Wi-Fi and Ethernet drivers fail to initialize when booting in Safe Mode. (Code 37). See screenshot below.
As a workaround I connect an external USB network adapter (Either Realtek Ethernet or Linksys Wi-Fi) which have no problem initializing the drivers in Safe Mode.

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Winuser · Oct 29, 2023

I know from experience that using a USB Wi-Fi adapter doesn't work on all computers. I went as far as to buy a USB adapter that according to my online searches did work in Safe-Mode. Doing more searches I found out that the Wi-Fi working in Safe-Mode or not depends on the Bios. For security reason some BIOSes won't allow the driver to load.

fg2001gf11F · Oct 29, 2023

Winuser said:
I know from experience that using a USB Wi-Fi adapter doesn't work on all computers. I went as far as to buy a USB adapter that according to my online searches did work in Safe-Mode. Doing more searches I found out that the Wi-Fi working in Safe-Mode or not depends on the Bios. For security reason some Bioses won't allow the driver to load.

Well, the USB Cisco/Linksys Wi-Fi adapter that I have works with all my computers both in Normal Mode and Safe Mode.

I have 3 types of PC's, DELL (4 different models), MSI, and Lenovo.

Winuser · Oct 29, 2023

fg2001gf11F said:
Well, the USB Cisco/Linksys Wi-Fi adapter that I have works with all my computers both in Normal Mode and Safe Mode.
I have 3 types of PC's, DELL (4 different models), MSI, and Lenovo.

I just wanted to reply to your post so others know that it may not work before wasting money on a USB Wi-Fi card like I did.

fg2001gf11F · Oct 29, 2023

Winuser said:
I just wanted to reply to your post so others know that it may not work before wasting money on a USB Wi-Fi card like I did.

Here it is, connected to the network in Safe Mode. That USB adapter is pretty old and cheap and it is Dual Band too.

The 2 Build in adapter Ethernet and Wi-Fi both fail in Safe mode, but the USB Adapter Wi-Fi works fine.

Winuser · Oct 29, 2023

The desktops I owned years ago were capable of using Wi-Fi in safe-mode. It wasn't until I tried it on my new at the time PowerSpec desktop. I'm on my third PowerSpec and don't remember which one it was. I think it was the first one that that the motherboard died on.

glasskuter · Oct 29, 2023

Try3 said:
Out of interest, what ethernet & WiFi drivers does Device manager show in your Safe mode?

Sorry, Denis, I overlooked your question. In safe mode device manager recognizes Intel ethernet and loads driver. For both Intel wifi as well as Realtek usb wifi, device manager shows
"code 37- Windows cannot initialize device driver for this hardware. Request not supported."
I scoured bios for any setting that might make a difference but found nothing.

@x BlueRobot I searched but have been unable to find an example of exactly how one would add the driver sub-key to the registry.

If I ever need access to network during safe boot, I'm just up the creek without a paddle without physically moving this machine to another room.

fg2001gf11F · Oct 29, 2023

Winuser said:
The desktops I owned years ago were capable of using Wi-Fi in safe-mode. It wasn't until I tried it on my new at the time PowerSpec desktop. I'm on my third PowerSpec and don't remember which one it was. I think it was the first one that that the motherboard died on.

The old machines work fine, only the newer ones with latest drivers have this problem with Safe mode and Code 37.
My old USB adapters both for Wi-Fi (Linksys/Cisco) and Ethernet (Realtek) work fine in Safe mode without this Code 37 problem.

There are FBH reports open about this issue, but no reply from MS nor from Intel yet.

Same problem on Lenovo Yoga 920 with Intel AC9260 Wi-Fi gets Code 37 in Safe Mode.

Realtek USB GBE Ethernet works fine.

fg2001gf11F · Oct 29, 2023

glasskuter said:
Sorry, Denis, I overlooked your question. In safe mode device manager recognizes Intel ethernet and loads driver. For both Intel wifi as well as Realtek usb wifi, device manager shows
"code 37- Windows cannot initialize device driver for this hardware. Request not supported."
I scoured bios for any setting that might make a difference but found nothing.

@x BlueRobot I searched but have been unable to find an example of exactly how one would add the driver sub-key to the registry.

If I ever need access to network during safe boot, I'm just up the creek without a paddle without physically moving this machine to another room.

Join the Club!

You can upvote the FBH report below or file a new one.

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Be the first to see what's next for Windows in the Windows Insider Program. Join the community, provide feedback to help make Windows even better.

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glasskuter · Oct 29, 2023

fg2001gf11F said:
ou can upvote the FBH report below or file a new one

I'm on release version so it's not just insiders having the problem.

fg2001gf11F · Oct 29, 2023

glasskuter said:
I'm on release version so it's not just insiders having the problem.

Yes, I know, common to any Build.

Write a separate FBH for current public Build, my FBH was not specific to insider anyway, Build 22621.819 was quite some time ago.

Re: Killer E2600 Driver fails to load with Code 37, when booting Windows 11 22H2 in Safe Mode

The same problem is now happening also with Intel Wi-Fi AC 9260 on a Lenovo Yoga 920 Laptop. The driver fails to Initialize in Safe Mode with (Code 37). Windows 11 Build 22621.2506.

community.intel.com

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