Enabling Wireless Networking on Windows Server 2016

While Windows Server 2016 is a robust and powerful operating system designed primarily for managing server roles, there might be scenarios where you need to enable wireless network connectivity. Unlike client operating systems, Windows Server 2016 does not include the Wireless LAN Service installed by default. This means that even if you have a wireless adapter installed, you won’t be able to connect to Wi-Fi networks out of the box. Attempting to install wireless drivers directly might result in the frustrating error: “A service installation section in this inf is invalid.”

This article will guide you through the necessary steps to enable wireless networking on your Windows Server 2016 machine, allowing you to connect to Wi-Fi networks. We will specifically address the scenario of using a TP-Link Wireless USB Adapter, but the initial steps for enabling the Wireless LAN Service apply to most wireless adapters.

Understanding the Issue: The Missing Wireless LAN Service

The core reason for the “A service installation section in this inf is invalid” error is the absence of the underlying Wireless LAN Service. Wireless drivers rely on this service to function correctly. Without it, the operating system lacks the necessary framework to manage wireless connections, leading to installation failures.

Step 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Service using PowerShell

Fortunately, enabling the Wireless LAN Service is a straightforward process using PowerShell. Follow these steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator: Click on the Start Menu, type “powershell,” right-click on “Windows PowerShell,” and select “Run as administrator.” You will need administrative privileges to install Windows features.

2. Execute the Installation Command: In the elevated PowerShell window, type or paste the following command:

   1	Add-WindowsFeature -Name Wireless-Networking

   Press Enter to execute the command.

3. Wait for the Installation to Complete: PowerShell will display the progress of the feature installation. Once the process is finished, you should see a “Success” message.

4. Restart Your Server: After the Wireless-Networking feature has been successfully installed, you must restart your Windows Server 2016 machine. This ensures that the newly installed service is properly initialized and running.

Step 2: Installing the Wireless Adapter Driver (Example: TP-Link TL-WN725N)

Once your server has restarted, you can proceed with installing the driver for your wireless adapter. In this example, we will focus on the TP-Link TL-WN725N Wireless USB Adapter.

1. Download the Correct Driver: Navigate to the TP-Link support website. For the TL-WN725N (version 3 in this case), the download link is: https://www.tp-link.com/in/support/download/tl-wn725n/v3/. Ensure you download the driver compatible with your operating system (Windows).

2. Extract the Driver Files (if necessary): The downloaded file is usually a compressed archive (ZIP or RAR). Extract the contents of this archive to a location on your server, such as a new folder on your desktop.

3. Open Device Manager: There are several ways to open Device Manager:

   • Press Windows Key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
   • Right-click on the Start Menu and select “Device Manager.”

4. Locate Your Wireless Adapter: In the Device Manager window, look for a device listed under “Network adapters” or potentially under “Other devices” if the driver is not yet installed. It might be labeled with a generic name or have a yellow exclamation mark indicating a driver issue.

5. Update the Driver: Right-click on your TP-Link Wireless USB Adapter (or the unknown device representing it) and select “Update driver.”

6. Browse My Computer for Driver Software: In the “Update Drivers” window, select “Browse my computer for driver software.”

7. Specify the Driver Location: Click the “Browse…” button and navigate to the folder where you extracted the TP-Link driver files. Make sure the “Include subfolders” option is checked so that Windows can find the necessary driver files. Click “Next.”

8. Install the Driver: Windows will now attempt to install the driver for your wireless adapter. Follow any on-screen prompts that may appear.

9. Restart Your Server (Potentially): After the driver installation is complete, it is recommended to restart your Windows Server 2016 machine again. In some cases, like the user’s experience, a second restart might be necessary for the system to fully recognize the wireless adapter and allow connection to Wi-Fi networks.

Step 3: Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network

After restarting your server following the driver installation, you should now have the ability to connect to Wi-Fi networks.

1. Open Network Connections: You can access Network Connections in a few ways:

   • Press Windows Key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
   • Right-click on the network icon in the system tray (if visible) and select “Open Network and Sharing Center,” then click on “Change adapter settings.”

2. Identify Your Wireless Adapter: You should now see your TP-Link Wireless USB Adapter listed as a network connection.

3. Connect to a Wi-Fi Network: Right-click on your wireless adapter and select “Connect/disconnect.” A list of available Wi-Fi networks should appear. Select the network you want to connect to, enter the password if required, and click “Connect.”

You should now be successfully connected to the Wi-Fi network.

Conclusion

Enabling wireless networking on Windows Server 2016 requires the crucial step of installing the Wireless LAN Service. By utilizing the Add-WindowsFeature -Name Wireless-Networking PowerShell command and subsequently installing the appropriate drivers for your wireless adapter (like the TP-Link TL-WN725N), you can overcome the “A service installation section in this inf is invalid” error and gain wireless connectivity on your server. Remember to restart your machine after installing the Wireless LAN Service and potentially again after installing the wireless drivers to ensure everything functions correctly. This process allows for greater flexibility in scenarios where a wired network connection is not feasible or convenient for your Windows Server 2016 environment.