My laptop can't connect to the Wireless Router anymore.?

Question

My friend is running a laptop with Windows 7. She connects to the wireless router 2 doors up. When they first got the laptop, I fixed it up and allowed it to be able to connect. It was fine for a while and then suddenly couldn't connect. They sent me the laptop and as I turned it on it immediately connected to my wireless network. I took it to their place, and they had already tried cycling the router and modem power supplies. I also noticed that all other mobile devices easily connect to the access point. I removed the router from the saved access points and tried to set up a new one. It can't find the access point by searching because the router does not broadcast its SSID. I manually set up the SSID, password, etc. Now it can see the access point, but can't connect to it. There is a red X that claims the configuration settings saved on this computer for that specific SSID is wrong, to which they informed me was the problem that suddenly occurred and why they sent it to me in the first place. I had to leave before going up to the computer two houses up and entering the router configuration page, but want a better idea for a solution when I return. Currently my only idea is to return, check the authentication method is in fact WPA, and if it's not reconfigure the settings on the laptop.

I have an ASB in Computer Science and Programming and an AST in Network Administration and Security. I should have had no problem with this but I've been out of work for a year now due to a disability from which I'm almost recovered (enough). I suppose it's possible something had escaped me but the computer has no viruses, spyware, adware, or malware. All programs, drivers, and Windows updates are current. I used CCleaner to correct the registry errors. All of the configurations for the access point seem accurate with the SSID name and password both typed correctly. I've never heard of a firmware update changing a router's authentication method, so I didn't feel the need to stop using WPA-personal.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

I feel your pain on the job loss. Best of luck to you on your job search.



I have to agree with whichever tech you spoke to. It sounds like the wireless network profile spazzed. Instead of reconfiguring, delete it entirely and then create it from scratch.



If this doesn't work, try these steps

- Create a new user account to see if it works on the alternate user.

- Uninstall the wireless network driver, reboot and reinstall

- It could be the firewall. Boot to safe mode with networking and try it there. If you still suspect it might be the AV, uninstall it and try the connection without. AVs like Norton and McAfee have a bad history of corrupt installed updates and can completely block access to the internet, and in some rare cases, the router.



If all else fails, system restore that bad boy back to when it was working correctly,

Answer 2

You probably just turned off the wireless on your laptop. There should be a button near the keyboard that maybe has an icon which looks like a post with waves spreading out from the top (its supposed to look like an antenna beaming out radio waves). Press it, give it a few seconds and search for the wireless connection again.

Answer 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea409BGte-s