Laptop won't connect to WiFi

I've been having problems connecting my laptop to my Wi-Fi for several days now. I can connect to my router but I don't get internet access. The problem went away for a bit yesterday but now it's back. I have tried changing the wireless channel as recommended by an article I read but to no avail. I have also run a few virus scans but none of them picked anything suspicious up.

Every other device in the house is connecting without any problems so it's evidently a problem with my laptop but I can't think of any obvious solutions that I haven't already tried. Any ideas?
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  • John146John146 Posts: 12,926
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    I've been having problems connecting my laptop to my Wi-Fi for several days now. I can connect to my router but I don't get internet access. The problem went away for a bit yesterday but now it's back. I have tried changing the wireless channel as recommended by an article I read but to no avail. I have also run a few virus scans but none of them picked anything suspicious up.

    Every other device in the house is connecting without any problems so it's evidently a problem with my laptop but I can't think of any obvious solutions that I haven't already tried. Any ideas?

    Have you checked the wireless adapter on your laptop to make sure it is on..or if not may need resetting.
  • chrisjrchrisjr Posts: 33,282
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    If you can connect to the router then that implies the WiFi is working to some extent. If it wasn't working at all then you would not be seeing the router.

    It would help narrow down the problem to know what make and model of laptop you have, what make and model of router you have and what operating system you are running on the laptop.

    Also have you tried a direct cable connection to the router and does that work?

    Have you looked at the IP config of the laptop to make sure that all is OK there?

    Have you tried deleting the connection and re-establishing it from scratch? Assuming the laptop auto-connects normally.
  • Stuart_hStuart_h Posts: 5,311
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    First of all have you tried switching off the router then switching it on again .... i occasionally get this and a router reboot solves all sorts of ailments :)
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 2,078
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    I've been having problems connecting my laptop to my Wi-Fi for several days now. I can connect to my router but I don't get internet access. The problem went away for a bit yesterday but now it's back. I have tried changing the wireless channel as recommended by an article I read but to no avail. I have also run a few virus scans but none of them picked anything suspicious up.

    Every other device in the house is connecting without any problems so it's evidently a problem with my laptop but I can't think of any obvious solutions that I haven't already tried. Any ideas?

    If you used to run Norton 360, uninstall it. It's a Jedi thing.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 838
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    Is the modem and router separate? If so, have you tried turning the modem off/on

    Have you tried connected to the internet directly to the modem?
  • November_RainNovember_Rain Posts: 9,145
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    I have tried connecting via Ethernet and I get no problems then, it is only when I want to connect wirelessly that I encounter this problem. The wireless adaptor is definitely switched on, and I have ensured the driver is up to date. I have tried resetting the router and it makes no difference, and I have never used Norton 360.

    The laptop is a Sony Vaio PCG-71311M running Windows 7. The router is the standard Virgin Media super hub from Netgear.
  • neo_walesneo_wales Posts: 13,625
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    Turn off anything else that is connecting via wifi and see if you can connect then.
  • oilmanoilman Posts: 4,529
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    When you connect a laptop to a router via wifi, you create a profile which you only need to do once (so you only have to enter password once, assuming your wifi is password protected - very bad idea not to be password protected).

    Quite often, these wifi profiles seem to get lost/corrupted, and you can't connect.

    So easiest thing is to go to network sharing centre, and find section on managing your wifi. You should find a list of all connections, including your router. Can't remember exact screens as not at home.

    Select the router connection and delete it. This does not affect your router

    Then rescan for networks.

    Assuming we do not have any other problems, your network should appear and you can connect. It will ask for you network password.

    If you cannot remember your wifi network password (not same as router password), you would have to logon to the router box and reset the wifi password.
  • November_RainNovember_Rain Posts: 9,145
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    neo_wales wrote: »
    Turn off anything else that is connecting via wifi and see if you can connect then.

    I tried this last night, still had the same problem.
    oilman wrote: »
    When you connect a laptop to a router via wifi, you create a profile which you only need to do once (so you only have to enter password once, assuming your wifi is password protected - very bad idea not to be password protected).

    Quite often, these wifi profiles seem to get lost/corrupted, and you can't connect.

    So easiest thing is to go to network sharing centre, and find section on managing your wifi. You should find a list of all connections, including your router. Can't remember exact screens as not at home.

    Select the router connection and delete it. This does not affect your router

    Then rescan for networks.

    Assuming we do not have any other problems, your network should appear and you can connect. It will ask for you network password.

    If you cannot remember your wifi network password (not same as router password), you would have to logon to the router box and reset the wifi password.

    I've tried this also, but again it made no difference.
  • TigerpawsTigerpaws Posts: 11,165
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    I know you said your wireless network adapter is up to date but how did you verify this? If you did this through windows there is a glitch that sometimes it tells you it's up to date when it's actually not.
    Try googling the network adapter and updating it manually.
    I had this problem with a Sony vaio and a new virgin hub and managed to fix it this way.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 10
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    what Router are you using as I have a belkin n300 and that gave me problems like yours,

    normally with a separate router and modem , you switch then router on first , then the modem as the modem will detect the router correctly

    If you go into your router wan settings you will see a gateway address ( if your using a virgin modem ) 192.168.1.100 or a number starting with 94.xxx.xxx.xxx , along with two DNS address,

    have you also tried another Ethernet cable or just unplugged and replugged the cable you got
  • davethorpdavethorp Posts: 8,701
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    Have you tried running the networking troubleshooter in windows?
  • MrQuikeMrQuike Posts: 18,175
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    Have you checked the hardware under control settings? It may be displaying a problem.

    If the worst comes to the worst and your wi-fi hardware is stuffed you can always get a wi-fi USB dongle. I've been using a Netgear one on this desktop for a couple of years. It cost me less than £20.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,566
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    I tried this last night, still had the same problem.



    I've tried this also, but again it made no difference.

    Hi can you please post an ipconfig /all for review please.

    To do this go to start>programs>accessories>command prompt and type the above and press enter then click on an empty area of cmd prompt and right click and choose select all and paste into your next reply.

    Also can you download xirrus from the link below:

    http://www.xirrus.com/products/wi-fi-inspector

    Open xirrus up and hit ctrl+prt sc(printscreen) and open up paint and choose paste from the menu and save the screenshot.

    Then upload to photbucket or imageshack and paste the url into your next reply please.
  • November_RainNovember_Rain Posts: 9,145
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    Hi can you please post an ipconfig /all for review please.

    To do this go to start>programs>accessories>command prompt and type the above and press enter then click on an empty area of cmd prompt and right click and choose select all and paste into your next reply.

    Also can you download xirrus from the link below:

    http://www.xirrus.com/products/wi-fi-inspector

    Open xirrus up and hit ctrl+prt sc(printscreen) and open up paint and choose paste from the menu and save the screenshot.

    Then upload to photbucket or imageshack and paste the url into your next reply please.

    Hi,

    Here is my ipconfig:
    Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
    Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.
    
    C:\Users\User>ipconfig
    
    Windows IP Configuration
    
    
    Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:
    
       Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
       Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::cc57:2983:fd72:16a5%15
       IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.7
       Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
       Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
    
    Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
    
       Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
       Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::65ac:be46:919f:824f%13
       IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.17
       Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
       Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
    
    Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:
    
       Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
       Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
    
    Tunnel adapter isatap.{59882C29-4EB0-4680-9C92-C45E142C1141}:
    
       Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
       Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
    
    Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:
    
       Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
       IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0:5ef5:79fb:2ca7:114:3f57:ffee
       Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::2ca7:114:3f57:ffee%14
       Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : ::
    
    Tunnel adapter isatap.{33AD5D27-D103-4F1C-BAAF-E4BFC346E48C}:
    
       Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
       Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
    

    And here is my Xirrus screenshot:

    http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/96/xirrus.png/
  • robertcrowtherrobertcrowther Posts: 262
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    Are you using a static IP address for the wireless connection or are you using the DHCP option?
  • November_RainNovember_Rain Posts: 9,145
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    Are you using a static IP address for the wireless connection or are you using the DHCP option?

    Static. :)
  • technology_lovetechnology_love Posts: 3,172
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    Disable all wireless security (WPA2 etc). Set it to none.
    Test if you can connect to the internet.

    Also, make sure your DNS is set to your router - i didnt see it in your ipconfig shot.
  • robertcrowtherrobertcrowther Posts: 262
    Forum Member
    Try using the automatic DHCP option and see if that works
  • gemma-the-huskygemma-the-husky Posts: 18,116
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    try connecting wired, rather than wireless initially.see if that works.
  • robertcrowtherrobertcrowther Posts: 262
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    try connecting wired, rather than wireless initially.see if that works.

    If you read the OP's second post, you will see they have tried using a wired connection without any problems.
  • November_RainNovember_Rain Posts: 9,145
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    Disable all wireless security (WPA2 etc). Set it to none.
    Test if you can connect to the internet.

    Also, make sure your DNS is set to your router - i didnt see it in your ipconfig shot.

    I've just tried it now, still can't connect to the internet.

    I probably should know this but how do I go about setting my DNS to my router? :o
    Try using the automatic DHCP option and see if that works

    It turns out I was mistaken, it was in fact set to that already. I tried disabling it for a moment but still no luck.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 142
    Forum Member
    It could be an update from your antivirus/firewall has caused this problem I had this on a computer several month ago and it turned out to be McAfee. It could also be that the either winsock or the network stack is somehow screwed up. If that is the case then resetting them should fix the problem.
    Try downloading ipresetall.zip from http://rapidlibrary.com/files/ipresetall-zip_ulcm9m898vi89on.html
    Unzip then click on the .exe and let the file run until your machine reboots
  • technology_lovetechnology_love Posts: 3,172
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    I've just tried it now, still can't connect to the internet.

    I probably should know this but how do I go about setting my DNS to my router? :o

    One the wireless adapter properties under the TCP/IP v4 settings (where you set the static IP), make sure you have your router IP as the preferred DNS.
  • November_RainNovember_Rain Posts: 9,145
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    One the wireless adapter properties under the TCP/IP v4 settings (where you set the static IP), make sure you have your router IP as the preferred DNS.

    Well I gave that a go without any success, but then I ran CCleaner after somebody suggested using a registry cleaner (why didn't I think of that?), and it seems to have done the trick!

    Funny how often big problems can be sorted with a simple solution. I just hope it's fixed the problem permanently.
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