*-network UNCLAIMED after software update on dell xps 13

Question

I recently got a new Dell xps 13 developer edition with Ubuntu 14.04. Since I got a software update my wireless network device has stopped working. lshw -C network gives:

*-network UNCLAIMED

description: Network controller
   product: Wireless 8260
   vendor: Intel Corporation
   physical id: 0
   bus info: pci@0000:3a:00.0
   version: 3a
   width: 64 bits
   clock: 33MHz
   capabilities: cap_list
   configuration: latency=0
   resources: memory:dc200000-dc201fff

The additional drivers tab in the settings menu also seems to be stuck on "Do not use this device", even though it shows other drivers. When I try to change the driver, I am unable to do so. This laptop does not have a Ethernet port.

This is my first time using Linux, so a clearly explained answer would be helpful. So far I have tried other solutions which I could find for similar problem, but to no avail.

As requested: 
When checked in modinfo iwlwifi | grep 0050 it gives:
alias: pci:v00008086d0000095Asv*sd00_0050_90bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d0000095Asv*sd00_0050_2Abc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d0000095Asv*sd00_0050_20bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d0000095Asv*sd00_0050_02bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d0000095Asv*sd00_0050_0Abc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d0000095Asv*sd00_0050_00bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d0000095Asv*sd00_0050_12bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d0000095Asv*sd00_0050_10bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d000008B1sv*sd00_0050_72bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d000008B1sv*sd00_0050_70bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000896sv*sd00_0050_27bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000896sv*sd00_0050_25bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000897sv*sd00_0050_17bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000897sv*sd00_0050_15bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000896sv*sd00_0050_07bc*sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000896sv*sd00_0050_05bc*sc*i*

chili555 · Accepted Answer

Please notice your pci.id (corrected):

Intel Corporation Wireless 8260 [8086:24f3] (rev3) Subsystem: Intel
  Corporation Device [8086:0050]

For the driver iwlwifi to claim and drive your device, it must find a match in the module alias fields that match, exactly, 8086:24f3 AND 0050. In the modinfo you posted, there are several references to 0050 but none to 24f3. Here is the corresponding data from my machine running kernel version 4.4.0-xx:

chili@T440p:~$ modinfo iwlwifi | grep 0050
alias:          pci:v00008086d000024F3sv*sd00000050bc*sc*i*
<snip>

As you can see, there is an exact match.

I believe there are three possible solutions to your issue. First, you could contact Dell and report that their apparent driver tweak that enabled your wireless to work at first was obliterated by an update; probably a later kernel version. They might have a solution and might email a revised tweak package. We have seen other instances of oem-wireless-dkms packages from Dell that fail after a kernel update.

Second, you could reboot, interrupt the boot process at the GRUB menu and select the earliest kernel you have. Boot into it and enjoy your wireless. However, that process would be required at every boot.

This is an older example but illustrates how you could boot, in the example, into -12 instead of -14.

Third, you could install a later kernel version that properly drives your device.

sudo apt-get install linux-generic-lts-xenial

After a reboot, you will be running kernel version 4.4.0-x and your wireless will be working.

Although you may select any option, I suggest that the third option is the simplest and preferred option.

*-network UNCLAIMED after software update on dell xps 13

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