The conformable fractional derivatives Khater II (Khat. II) method and the Adomian decomposition (AD) approach are used to investigate the analytical and semi-analytical wave solutions to the perturbed time-fractional nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) model. This model describes the dynamics of optical solitons propagating via nonlinear optical fibers. Several novel solitary wave solutions are constructed in distinct formats such as hyperbolic, trigonometric, rational, dark, brilliant, combined dark-bright, singular, combination singular, and periodic wave solutions. Additionally, the Adomian decomposition technique determines the absolute error associated with analytical and semi-analytical wave solutions. The Hamiltonian system examines the stability of discovered solutions to determine their acceptability for usage in the model’s application.