Developing wireless networks, the developers came up with the standard wifi. This is when one or more computers connect to a wireless access point and through it access the Internet. Or via a router. Before we find out the reasons why the laptop does not see wifi, we think it would be logical to learn something about this technology.
How to properly understand the term
When we ask why the laptop does not see wifi, then we mean the absence of the Internet. In truth, this is not exactly true. Just wifi - this and if they are equipped with a device, it is certified to work in these networks, that is, it is the guarantor of normal operation for the intended purposes. Just like there are Xerox copiers, and there are other suppliers. However, from the habit of any paper multiplier people call a "copier".
Wifi equipment
Among the most devices for wireless access, there are two categories of equipment: "access point" and Also there is an extended access point - a multifunctional wifi device.
Hardware hardware is similar, it differs software firmware and, as a consequence, the quality of work. If you have problems with the network, and you think that the laptop does not see wi-fi router, then the problem is not always in the machine itself. The firmware of the router may be underdeveloped, which causes an unstable connection with the access point.
Optimal selection of equipment with high-quality software should include:
- Fame of the manufacturer (brand models are less likely to "buggy").
- Careful study of even top-class models. It is recommended to do a review with a specialist.
How to connect to wifi. Setting up the connection
One way is to use the services of cable network providers, and then to wired equipment to install wifi equipment.
The next option is to connect via the appropriate access point to local Area Networks provider, if such a service is provided to them.
The access point is a hardware amplifier of radio waves with the function of receiving and transmitting the contents. From the PC, a wifi standard radio signal is received, which is accepted by it. The signal is unified for the equipment of various manufacturers, which allows not to develop thoughts, such as "the laptop does not see wifi, probably this is due to the incompatibility of my equipment with the access center."
Connecting wifi to windows xp via laptop
Step-by-step setup is discussed below.
- Enable hardware button or a combination of keys (depending on the model). In this case, as a rule, a light indicator should light up - a light that indicates that the receiver is switched on.
- For some models of laptops, the wi-fi module is included in a special instruction, which regulates the order of actions. If necessary, specify, if so, in the relevant documentation.
- If your receiver works with Wimax technology, you can configure this mode with special software.
- Enable the wireless access service (right click on the My Computer - Management - Services and Applications - Services - wireless tuning - start if the service is not running).
If the laptop does not see wifi router, and the system reports this, it means that most likely, a special driver utility from the wifi equipment manufacturer is responsible for controlling the wireless connection. Open "Network Neighborhood" - "View Available Wireless Networks".
If the functions wifi control should take over the operating system, you need to click on the phrase "Edit advanced settings." On the "wireless networks" tab put the "Use Windows to configure the network" checkbox.
When you are in a free access area, for example, in an Internet cafe, you will only have to connect to the nearest access point you found and enjoy the Internet connection.
There are times when a wi-fi file is no longer available on the computer. Why this happens and what to do in each case will be discussed in this article.
The problem can be of two kinds: the computer does not see at all Wi-Fi network or there is not only your access point in the list of available neighbors' networks. In the first case, the problem is most likely in the wi-fi device, in the second - in the computer on which the network disappeared.
What should I do first? You can reboot the router or the computer that lost the network. Make sure that the password is correctly entered and the "Caps Lock" is not enabled at the same time. If the passphrase is correct, but the computer does not connect, then you need to look for other reasons.
If the computer does not see any access points at all and / or stops seeing them: you need to check whether the Wi-Fi adapter is active. You need to do this: on the computer keyboard, press the key combination "Fn + F3" (depending on the model and the manufacturer, there may be a combination of "Fn + F2" or "Fn + F5"). For keyboard shortcuts to work, drivers must be installed on the keyboard. On older models, the ability to see Wi-Fi is sometimes turned on by a separate button.
Problems with the network
If you installed the driver on the keyboard, turned on the Wi-Fi module, and the Internet still does not, then open the "Control Panel". Select "Internet Networks" and in "Management". sharing"Select" Adapter settings changes ". Here you will see a list of all the adapters. Click on "Wireless Network". If the gray icon and the inscription "Disconnected", then there is no Wi-Fi icon in the system tray, that's why nothing works. In this case, you need to enable: right-click context menu and choose "Enable". The wireless network becomes active. On error, the "Diagnostics" windows Networks". The system itself can find and fix errors.
If the computer still does not detect an available network, then reinstall the drivers on the wireless network adapter. Open the "Device Manager", click on " Network adapters», Find the desired device. You need to uninstall and reinstall the driver. Drivers can be taken on the official page of the manufacturer of your computer or you can find a CD with a working driver included with your computer. After installing the driver, you need to turn on the Wi-Fi module and see the work - if everything was activated, we figured out why the network was missing.
Sometimes it happens that the laptop does not see wireless network after being repaired or after cleaning. Masters can disable the antenna. Then you need to disassemble the laptop and connect them or contact a specialist for help.
Problems with the router
If the problem is that the computer does not see only your router, but sees others, then you need to take the following steps. Find router settings and do a check work Wi-Fi adapter. To do this, open the browser and enter http://192.168.1.1 or http://192.168.0.1 in the address bar. If it did not work out, the data for ip-address and authorization in order to enter the page can be taken from a sticker attached on the back of the router's case or on the manufacturer's website. On the router's page you need to find the "Advanced settings" tab "Wi-Fi and network settings". You must set the Enable Wireless Connection check box. If the flag stands, and the problem for some reason remains, the last way is to change the channel on which the router works. In order not to change the channel blindly, you can use the program "inSSIDer for Home", which analyzes the frequency range of the channel. From 1 to 11 channel - the American standard, most devices can do the work on these channels. Free can be from 11 to 13. If you change the settings do not forget to click "Save".
You can try to remove the encryption, the setting is called "Authentication method", change it to "Open System". The problem can be in the length of the key ("WPA Preliminary Key"). If it is more than 20 characters, the router will stop working with such a long key. Most likely, the key can be no more than 12-13 characters. Here you can also update the firmware: the "Administration" section, the "Update firmware" tab.
Software
Why else are there difficulties? The problem can be in the software. If you have "System Restore" enabled in Windows, you will be shown in the recovery point log when installing programs. You can return the operating system to the day the network was working and let it see the connections again. You must select a status, click "Next", follow the instructions. Wai-Fee network can often be lost when the OS is updated, so sometimes after the update it is necessary to reinstall programs, including for wireless connection, and then the computer sees what it needs again.
Adapter failure
If nothing has helped and the computer still does not see available networks, then there is a possibility that the Wi-Fi adapter could fail: it can burn out during operation, it needs good cooling. If it is burned, it will not be displayed in the "Device Manager", this problem will be displayed when "Windows Diagnostics". It will need to be repaired or changed.
So, we looked at the most basic sources of problems when a computer crashes with a wi-fi file. Remember that any problem can be eliminated if you know its causes.
- Introduction
- 2 basic situations where you can not connect to wi-fi
- Reasons why a laptop might not see a wi-fi network
- Ways to fix the absence of wi-fi
- Conclusion
Greetings to you friends. In this note, let's look at why a laptop might not see a wi-fi network. To begin with it is necessary to understand (albeit briefly) what wi-fi is, what its principle of operation is and what it usually requires.
So, if you say it in an accessible language, then wi-fi is nothing but a wireless way of connecting digital devices. It is important to understand that with the help of it you do not necessarily have to go straight to the Internet, it's just a way of building wireless networks (like, for example, bluetooth).
In order to access the Internet, it is necessary that this wi-fi network be connected to a router (a special modem), which, in its turn, provides access to the global web (via telephone, network cable or in any other way).
From this it follows - if there is a Wi-Fi connection in your device (laptop, phone, tablet), this does not mean that it will immediately connect to the Internet (some may seem obvious, but some users may think so ).
2 basic situations where you can not connect to wi-fi
- Reason in your device
- The problem is in the wi-fi network (that is, in the modem on which this network is created)
In order to exclude a problem in your laptop, you need to connect to an existing wi-fi network from another device, for example, from your friend's phone. To do this, as usual, take from him a smartphone (tablet, "beech"), search for available Wi-Fi networks and connect to the right one.
In the end, if your router is configured correctly, a friend's smartphone connected immediately and without problems, then you should look for the reason in your device (more about this later).
In the second case, you sit alone (or with the company) and can not connect to the wi-fi network, for example, in a public place. It's right, it's probably just turned off or limited access (for example, to the number of simultaneously connected devices). In this situation, you need to contact the administrator. Or, if there are problems with the modem (yours, not your neighbor), then you need to either reboot it or reconfigure it.
That is, the first thing to do is determine where the malfunction is, and then go deep into its solution.
Reasons why a laptop might not see a Wi-Fi
Now we will consider in more depth the main points, why there is no connection to the Wi-Fi network:
- To begin with, it is worth noting whether Wi-Fi is included in the "beech". Check it easily, at the bottom near the clock click the corresponding icon. If there are no available networks, then most likely it is disabled.
- The connection was lost. This can be most often due to modem errors. You can simply reboot it or reconfigure it. To do this, just watch your modem and find the wi-fi indicator - it should be lit.
- Is the driver installed and what is its version on the laptop. Very often, if the "beech" is new or on it reinstalled the operating system, then you need to install the driver you need on wi-fi. If you do not do this, then you will not be able to enter the network.
- On the "laptop", wai-fi stopped working. The cause may be the failure of the corresponding adapter inside the device. Here only repair with its replacement.
- Finished money "on the Internet." In this situation, by itself, wy-fay on the Internet does not work. You just need to put money on the account and the problem will be solved.
Conclusion
As you can see, there can be quite a lot of reasons, we considered only the most simple and popular ones. Do not be frivolous about simple ways solutions such as checking the funds on the account or restarting the laptop, very often they help solve the problem.
It is worth starting with the information presented above, and then moving on to deeper and more individual solutions to your question. On this, we finish the solution of the question, why the laptop can not see the wi-fi network, what to do first of all in this situation. Thank you for your attention, if you have any questions, then write them in the comments.
Wireless connection to the Internet through a laptop can be difficult for a number of reasons, often unrelated. To find the reason for the absence of a signal, it is worth starting with, checking the router and the Wi-Fi adapter can detect and solve the communication problem with 99%.
Check the access point
First of all check the status of the router, often the equipment just hangs, and requires a restart. Therefore, after finding an atypical indication of the router - turn it off for a couple of minutes and start again.
If it was an internal hangover, then re-enabling should solve the problem, and the laptop will again detect the available Wi-Fi network. If these actions did not lead to the expected result, it is worth checking the configuration of the access point.
Often voltage drops and internal conflicts of the router result in resetting of settings, from which the device loses not only wireless access, but also connection to the Internet. This problem is solved by authorization on the web interface of the router at the addresses:
192.168.1.1
192.168.0.1
Depending on the model of equipment, the address is assigned its own, and the input is made from any Internet browser. After the configuration page opens, check the settings, and then.
If the check shows that the settings have been reset to the factory settings, you should configure the router (independently or with the help of specialists). Usually, after a reboot, which follows the configuration, the laptop will find a new available Wi-Fi network. If these measures were insufficient, and the problem remains relevant, we check the laptop.
Checking the mobile computer
Our diagnostics of the problem has reached a deadlock at the stage of testing the access point, so it is worth looking for a solution in the computer itself. And first, let's see if the network equipment is active. On a number of notebook models, there is a function key, used in combination with the "Fn" key, it controls the state of the Wi-Fi adapter, which can be displayed by the display on the notebook case.
In the beginning, find the LEDs on the case, they are marked with graphical values (we are interested in the "antenna" or the inscription "wi-fi"). If the indication is detected and it is lit, then the wireless adapter is turned on and is currently running. If the display is missing or not lit, you can try to turn on the adapter. Find the "F1-12" key with the antenna icon in the upper row, and press it with the "Fn" clamped.
In addition, there is a possibility that the connection is disabled by the operating system software. To check, go to the "Control Panel" section, which is responsible for network settings (for Windows XP - " Network connections»; for Windows 7 - "Change adapter settings" item). Make sure that the "Wireless network connection" is active, if it is disabled - right-click the mouse and the corresponding item from the context menu.
It may be that the network element is not at all on the connection lists. Means, the equipment is not installed or not involved in Windows. To test the network adapter's performance, open Device Manager and click Network Adapters to find the wireless device. If you need to enable it, then by clicking the "Enable" context - you may need to restart the computer.
If the device is marked with a token of attention, then most likely the drivers are incorrectly installed or completely absent. Use the drive provided with the laptop, and before installing the drivers. They can be found on the official website of the manufacturer on the model number of your computer.
P.S.
The above problems are only a part of the possible ones, the most common among ordinary users. Therefore, when looking for a cause, and its further solution, it is worth starting from the individual characteristics of the situation.
Today it is difficult to imagine the operation of a laptop or any other portable device without access to the Internet. Most often, the connection to the World Wide Web is carried out wirelessly - with using Wi-Fi network router. However, often the user when trying to get to the coveted Internet, there are various kinds of problems. One of them may be that the laptop does not see a Wi-Fi network. Consider the possible causes of such problems. In this case, we leave behind the brackets very similar cases, when the laptop finds a Wi-Fi, but can not connect to it, or connects, but the Internet still does not work.
Most situations in which the problem we are dealing with can be divided into two categories:
- The laptop does not see any Wi-Fi network at all, although they are exactly there and detected by other devices;
- The laptop does not find your wireless network, but sees the surrounding networks of Wi-Fi.
Based on this gradation and will identify the cause of the problem.
Why the laptop does not see any Wi-Fi network
Such a malfunction is almost 100% associated with the client device and its settings. Let's try in a step-by-step mode to check a few key points that can affect the visibility of wireless networks.
Is the Wi-Fi module on your laptop switched on?
Any portable computer is equipped with wireless adapter, providing the ability to search for Wi-Fi networks and establish a connection with them. Usually for such a module modes "On" and "Off" are provided. So, you need to make sure that on your figurative a Wi-Fi computer The module is currently active. This will be indicated by the corresponding indicator light, the location of which depends on the model of the laptop.
If the module is turned off, it must be activated. Usually, a special key combination Fn and one of the functional buttons of the range F1-F12. About which of the system keys is responsible for enabling the wireless module, you can find out by clicking on the corresponding icon on it.
On laptops of some manufacturers, the Wi-Fi module is turned on / off by a two-position toggle switch or a separate button.
If enabled Wi-Fi adapter The laptop still does not detect wireless networks, we proceed to the next step.
What is the status of the wireless connection in Windows?
At this stage, you need to check the connection status in the operating system. To do this, go to Control Panel - Network and Sharing Center - Change adapter settings.
We find here wireless connection and check its activity. If the icon is highlighted, then the connection is turned on, otherwise it should be turned on.
Right-click on the icon and select "Enable" in the menu that appears.
After that, the icon in the system tray (notification area) should change.
Is the driver installed for the Wi-Fi module of the laptop
To verify the presence and correctness of installing the network adapter drivers, we proceed sequentially along the path Control Panel - System - Device Manager. In the list, we find the item "Network adapters" and expand it.
If there are no exclamation points next to the device, then most likely the drivers are installed correctly. We will make sure of this by clicking the right mouse button on the adapter name and selecting the "Properties" line. On the "General" tab in the "Device status" field it should be written "Device is working properly".
The "Driver" tab allows you to perform various manipulations with the drivers - update, rollback or delete. In the absence of the required software it can be found on the Internet.
In theory, if there are no questions on all the above points, then the laptop should have no problem seeing nearby Wi-Fi networks. If this does not happen, then there may be a problem with the laptop's adapter itself.
The laptop does not detect the network of my router, but sees others
The most banal reason for this metamorphosis is that your laptop is too far from the right source Wi-Fi signal. Despite the fact that modern routers have a fairly extensive coverage area, in some corners of your home or apartment reception can be unstable. In this situation, you need to properly place the router, so that all consumers are within reach. About that, you can find out on the pages of our website.
And yet in most cases, problems with finding a wireless network of one particular router are due to its incorrect configuration. Let's try to figure out which wi-Fi settings can significantly affect the signal quality. For an example, take. We go into its administrative panel and select the section Wireless Mode - Wireless Settings.
Immediately make sure that there are checkmarks next to the items "Enable wireless broadcasting" and "Enable SSID broadcasting" (the operating status of the Wi-Fi network will be signaled by the indicator on the router itself).
Now, pay attention to the most important parameter - the Wi-Fi network. 13 channels are used in Russia, but only a few of them are optimal (least loaded) for you. It all depends on what channels are used by nearby routers. Try setting a static value (except 12 and 13) or Auto.
Restart the router and check if the laptop now sees the target Wi-Fi network.
If that did not help, try experimenting with the parameters of the wi-fi again - change the channels, the name of the network, correct the filter by MAC-addresses. In a pinch, you can reset the router to factory settings.
