Laptop wireless network cannot connect solution

Laptops that used to be able to connect to a wireless network now have a situation where the wireless network cannot connect (the connection is missing or no longer connects to the wireless network). Possible causes are:

Wireless devices are not installed properly or disabled

A hardware failure occurred on a wireless device or router

Network configuration changes (SSID or security)

Interference from other wireless devices

Note:

Not all laptops are equipped with integrated wireless networking devices. If the wireless networking feature is not listed in the feature list on the side of the laptop box, you can add wireless networking to your notebook computer.

Solution

Use one or more of the following methods to diagnose and troubleshoot problems where a portable computer cannot connect to a desired wireless network.

Note:

You must install Windows XP Service Pack 2 before performing these operations.

Method One: Repair a wireless network connection

Windows XP SP2 can automatically repair a damaged wireless network connection. Perform the following steps to repair using this repair feature:

1. Click "Start", "Connect to", and then click "Show All Connections".

2. Right-click on the "Wireless network Connection" icon and choose "Fix".

3. In the next few minutes, Windows resets the network adapter and attempts to reconnect to a preferred network. If the repair process fails, continue with method two below.

Method Two: Use HP Wireless Assistant to check and enable wireless devices

HP Wireless Assistant is only available in HP laptops produced in 2005 and beyond.

1. To start HP Wireless Assistant, double-click the HP Wireless Assistant icon in the system tray. Go to step 2 to check the device status.

? If you do not have an HP Wireless Assistant icon in your system tray, click this link to download and install the latest version of HP Wireless Assistant.

? If your laptop does not support HP Wireless Assistant, an error message will be displayed that does not allow you to install HP Wireless Assistant. Go to HP Laptop-Make sure the wireless LAN device is properly installed and enabled.

2. Check the status of the wireless device by following the instructions shown on the HP Wireless Assistant panel.

? If the status is disabled (Disabled), enable the device by following the instructions in the HP Wireless Assistant.

If its status is enabled, the device is already installed and can be connected at any time.

Method Three: Determine the status of the WLAN driver

If the wireless device is running, a wireless connection icon appears in the Windows system taskbar.

? Wireless network connected icon indicates that the WLAN driver is installed and the portable computer is connected, go to method seven: Minimize interference from other devices.

? Wireless network disconnect icon with red X indicates that the WLAN driver is installed, but the notebook computer is not connected, go to method Five: Connect to the wireless network.

? If the wireless network icon is not displayed, do the following:

1. Click "Start".

2. Click "Settings".

3. Click on "Control Panel".

4. Double-click the Network connection icon.

5. Right-click on "Wireless network Connection".

6. Select "Properties".

7. By clicking the "Show icon in notification area after connection", add a check mark next to it.

8. Click "OK".

9. Close the Network Connections window

10. Right-click on the Wireless network icon and select "Status". If the status is not connected, go to method Five: Connect to a wireless network

Method Four: Reinstall the WLAN driver

If the wireless connection icon is not displayed after 15-30 seconds, the software driver is missing or corrupted. The driver must be reinstalled. You may also see Windows ' Device not Found (device not found) error messages.

Use the following process to reinstall the WLAN driver.

? Running the Software Setup tool

1. On the Windows taskbar, click Start, Help and Support, and then click Solve problem (troubleshooting).

2. Click on "Software Installation" (Software Setup).

3. Click the plus sign next to select Hardware enabling Drivers, and then expand the list of drivers by clicking the "Choose Hardware enabled driver."

4. Add a check mark to the box next to the WLAN driver installer (WLAN Driver Installer) option.

5. Clear the check mark in the box next to all other software options.

6. Click "Install" and follow the instructions to reinstall the driver. The notebook computer will reboot and the wireless network should start running again.

If the wireless device is still not running, you can use the latest version of the driver.

After reinstalling the wireless network adapter driver, go to method one: Check the status of the wireless hardware and drivers.

Method Five: Connect to a wireless network

Before using this method, make sure that the wireless network LEDs start to Glow (blue), and that the wireless network connection disconnect icon is visible in the system tray.

Perform the following steps to search for and connect to a wireless network.

1. Right-click the "Wireless network Connection" icon, and then select "Open Network connection."

2. On the Network connection panel, double-click the Wireless connection icon and view the status of the connection.

3. Select "View wireless network" To view a list of available wireless networks.

If you are in a hotspot where more than one wireless network is active, you may have more than one network listed. Decide which network you want to access.

If the network you want is not displayed, check with your administrator to see if the router and access point are running.

If you are trying to connect to a wireless router that is under your control, you can disconnect the router from power for 10-15 seconds and reset the wireless router.

4. Select one of the available networks and click "Connect". Windows may take a minute to complete the network connection.

? If the network is an "insecure" network, it means that there is no security to whom the system is accessible, and a warning message is displayed. Click "Connect Anyway" to accept the warning message and complete the connection.

? If the network is a "secure" wireless network, the system provides input "network key", which is a security code. Click "Connect" to complete the connection. See method Five: Connect to a secure wireless network for additional information.

5. Once the connection is complete, place the cursor over the wireless network connection icon in the system tray to determine the name, speed, strength, and status of the connection. If the connection is weak or slow, go to method seven: Minimize interference from other devices.

There should be a good connection between your laptop and your wireless router or access point. Depending on your settings, you should now be able to access other computers and applications on your network, or access the Internet.

Method Six: Connect to a secure wireless network

If you are prompted to enter a network key or SSID access code when you connect to the network, the wireless network uses security. To connect on a secure network, you need to have the current access code. SSID and WEP are the alphanumeric code for entering a computer that identifies the computer to the network.

? For a network connected to a personal wireless router, check the manufacturer's documentation and set the same SSID code on the router and wireless device.

HP provides a tool for automating the configuration of wireless routers and wireless network devices. See HP Laptop-install home network using HP Network Assistant. To start setting up your router and wireless device, tap the HP network Assistant link.

? For a private network such as a network in an office or a public internet chat room, contact your network administrator to learn about the service location identifier (SSID) code and enter the code when prompted.

Some networks periodically change the SSID codes used in their routers or access points to improve the security of the network. You must also change the corresponding SSID code in your notebook computer.

Method Seven: Change the wireless network key

If you have a wireless network key code, follow these steps to complete the connection to the desired wireless network.

1. On the Network Connections panel, double-click the wireless connection you want, open the Wireless network Connection status panel and select Properties.

2. On the Wireless Network tab, select the name of the preferred network from the list and click Properties.

Network authentication: Identifies the security type. [Options are: Open, shared, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)]

Data encryption: The type of encryption used to protect data. [Options are: Disabled, limited equivalent Privacy (WEP), and Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)]

"Network key": A letter-digit code that identifies the computer to the network.

Key index (Advanced): Additional security values.

3. Enter the wireless key code value provided by your network administrator.

4. Click "OK" to accept the code and complete the connection.

It may take several minutes for Windows to complete the connection.

5. Click "OK" or "close" to exit all open panels.

Method VIII: Minimizing interference from other devices

If your laptop cannot connect to a wireless network, or if the connection is extremely weak, do the following to improve your connection status.

? Close your portable computer to your wireless router or access point.

? Temporarily disconnect other wireless devices and make sure the devices are not causing interference, such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, cellular telephones, and so on.

? If you are trying to connect to a wireless network router that is under your control, you can disconnect the router from power for 10-15 seconds and reset the wireless router.

On the Wireless network connection Properties panel, select the desired connection and click Delete. Then click "Add" to force the device to rebuild all connection values. For security purposes, you may be prompted to enter a network key.

? If you are still not finding a wireless network, see HP Laptops-Install your home network using HP Network Assistant to learn how to reinstall your wireless router using HP network Assistant.

Method Nine: Determine Windows Wireless Zero Configuration

If your laptop cannot connect to a wireless network, make sure that Windows Wireless Zero Configuration. Perform the following steps to determine the Wireless Zero Configuration for Windows.

1. Click "Start".

2. Click "Run".

3. Type "services.msc" without typing in quotes.

4. Find Wireless Zero Configuration.

5. Right-click "Wireless Zero Configuration".

6. Select "Properties".

7. Under Startup type: Select Automatic if it is not already selected.

8. Under "Service Status": Click "Start".

9. Click "OK"

10. Close the Services window.

If you are still not finding a wireless network, see HP Laptops-Install your home network using HP Network Assistant to learn how to reinstall your wireless router using HP network Assistant.

Method Ten: Restart the wireless router

If your laptop cannot connect to the wireless network, restart the wireless router. For details, please refer to the manufacturer's user's Guide.

Method 11: Computer security

In the case of spyware, viruses, or firewalls, PCs become unsafe.

Method 12: System Restore

? Activate System Restore

1. On the Windows taskbar, click Start, Help and support, and System Restore, and follow the instructions to restore your computer settings to an earlier time.

2. Windows periodically creates restore points. Select a normal date and time when a wireless network is running. The notebook computer will reboot and the wireless network should start running again.