Pc not detecting WiFi signals

victor2

sebastianj said:

Pc not connecting to WiFi network .not sure if it is crap virgin WiFi or the dongle. Router is downstairs and the pc in the upstairs room. Pc is new windows 10. Any help most appreciated. Thanks
Sebastian

Could be a combination of both crap Virgin WiFi and poor dongle.

I had similar problems and ended up putting the Virgin router into modem only mode and buying a separate decent router. By then, I'd already replaced the PC adapter with a good one with separate antenna. I now get the full rated 100Mbps download speed over 5 GHz WiFi with the PC and router on different floors and in opposite corners of the house.

I had tried a range extender en-route, but it only improved things slightly.

Assuming the basic checks are OK, a new router will divorce you from Virgin's rubbish equipment forever.

ivormonee

Perhaps ring Virgin technical support?

sebastianj

ivormonee said:

sebastianj said:

Pc not connecting to WiFi network .not sure if it is crap virgin WiFi or the dongle. Router is downstairs and the pc in the upstairs room. Pc is new windows 10. Any help most appreciated. Thanks
Sebastian

You've come to the right place. What return are you getting from Virgin? Are the lights blinking?

Thanks, Virgin have done nothing but to reset the connection. I think it is the router. WiFi seems to work in the room where the router is but not the room above. Someone had the humour to suggest something getting in the way. 

[Deleted User]

sebastianj said:
Someone had the humour to suggest something getting in the way. 

Well that is a possibility, Wi-fi doesn't like going through solid objects, especially metal ones like the case of a PC, so if for example your dongle is positioned such that the PC case is in the line of sight to the router then it is possible that it could block the signal, especially if it is already weakened by passing through a wall and a floor to get upstairs.

I'd start by confirming the dongle works ok by setting up a hotspot on a mobile phone next to the dongle and see if it can see it - if it can't, then the dongle or config is the problem.

If it can see the mobile phone hotspot ok, then likely to do with position / distance / objects blocking the signal to/from the router.

If you have the model of 'dongle' and where in the PC it is plugged in that would be useful. Is your Virgin Hub positioned out in the open, high up and away from other solid objects? Many people put them in the corner on the floor or in a cupboard / behind TV etc which seriously weakens the signal.

sebastianj

The old router worked but ever since they replaced it with a super one, I have been having a lot of trouble. Phones work OK. I will follow your advice and reposition the router, many thanks again. 

Seb

debitcardmayhem

It always amazes me that ISP supplied routers are not up to the task, and BT offering you £100 back is they can't deliver whole home wifi , of course 10mbps is their idea of a good cut off point. Why don't they just ship modems and then let the customer choose their own router.

ivormonee

To be honest I gave up on wifi. I re-arranged my furniture so that I could just plug everything in via the ethernet cable. Not ideal, and I apprecaite not everyone will be able to do this, but it was a last resort for me.

getmore4less

 Pc is new windows 10.

Can it see any wifi   
in my house I see  8 local ones sky, talktalk, VM from houses around me.

if it can see your network at what part of the connection process is it failing and what error.

you have checked the password and the bands the VM router is using.

victor2

sebastianj said:

The old router worked but ever since they replaced it with a super one, I have been having a lot of trouble. Phones work OK. I will follow your advice and reposition the router, many thanks again. 

Seb

The "SuperHub" supports 5GHz WiFi, which many phones have, but your dongle may not support. Does your phone connect to WiFi from the same location that your PC is in? 5GHz has a shorter range than 2.4GHz, but I found my PC would connect at 5, but could not hold a connection at 2.4. Plus, a 5GHz connection gives better throughput.

You can check what speed devices are connected at by logging in to your SuperHub (from your mobile may be easiest) and then viewing the connected devices.

AnotherJoe

Sebastian, is this a very old PC that doesn't have native wifi?