The Atheros AR9285 Wireless Adapter is a network device manufactured by QualComm. Issues like weak Wi-Fi signal, slow DNS lookup, duplicate IP addresses, slow network and excessive CPU usage can be solved by updating this driver. Our archive contains recent Windows 11 and Windows 10 drivers that match this device. Older operating systems like Windows 8 are also supported. This driver is highly rated (4.3 out of 5 stars) with over 302,640 downloads. Find the best version below that matches your operating system. Safe and secure downloads are our guarantee. The DriverGuide download archive is scanned regularly using the latest anti-virus software.
Regularly updating network drivers ensures optimal, secure, and compatible device performance with the latest network technologies, preventing potential problems and providing a better user experience.
Improved Performance
Faster data transfer speeds
Lower latency
More reliable connectivity
Compatibility
Ensures communication with latest network technologies and protocols
Necessary when operating systems and network hardware evolve
Security
Patches for known vulnerabilities
Protection against exploits and attacks targeting outdated drivers
Stability
Resolves issues causing crashes, freezes, or blue screen errors
Improves overall system stability
New Features
Support for newer Wi-Fi standards
Advanced power management options
Improved diagnostic tools
Troubleshooting
Often the first step in resolving network-related issues
Fixes for specific problems
Better compatibility with network environment
Manufacturer Support
Access to latest support and resources from device manufacturer
Important when encountering issues requiring manufacturer assistance
Once you download your new driver, then you need to install it. To install a driver in Windows, you will need to use a built-in utility called Device Manager. It allows you to see all of the devices recognized by your system, and the drivers associated with them.
Open the Start menu and type "Device Manager" in the search bar. Click on Device Manager when it appears in the search results.
In the Device Manager window, locate the device for which you want to install or update the driver. You can find devices under their respective categories, such as Display adapters, Sound, Video and Game Controllers, or Network adapters.
Right-click on the device and select Update driver from the context menu.
In the next window, choose: Browse my computer for driver software
Click on the Browse button and navigate to the location where you saved the downloaded driver files. Select the appropriate driver file and click OK. Then, click Next to begin the installation process.
After the installation is complete, you may be prompted to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Save any open work and click Yes to restart your device.
Once your computer restarts, the newly installed or updated driver should be active, and your device should function properly with the latest driver software.
Visit our Driver Support Page for helpful step-by-step videos
Many device drivers are not updated through the Microsoft Windows Update service. If you are having trouble finding the right driver, stop searching and fix driver problems faster with the Automatic Driver Update Utility. Automatic updates could save you hours of time.
The Driver Update Utility automatically finds, downloads and installs the right driver for your hardware and operating system. It will Update all of your drivers in just a few clicks, and even backup your drivers before making any changes.
Once you download and run the utility, it will check for out-of-date or missing drivers:
After finishing its analysis, the driver scanning tool will present a summary of outdated or missing drivers on your system. You'll then have the option to either update each driver separately or perform a bulk update of all required drivers simultaneously:
If you have had recent crashes, power outages, viruses or other computer problems, it is likely that your drivers may have become damaged. Browse the list above to find the driver that matches your device hardware. To see more matches, use our custom driver search engine to find the exact driver.
Visit the QualComm website for the latest drivers, or to find the best driver for your specific model and Windows version.