Can't connect laptop to wi-fi router

Si_Clist

The wife's laptop is running W10 and since we changed broadband supplier, I can't get it to connect to wi-fi.  If I double-click on the globe icon thingy in the bottom right of the screen, a small box comes up headed "Network & INternet settings".  If I click on that, I go to a page headed "Status" and it says "Not connected".  If I click on "Show available networks" just below that, the small grey "Network & Internet settings" box comes back up again!

What am I doing wrong?  The router is working OK, and neither our printer, phones or my Chromebook had any trouble at all connecting to it.

tacpot12

I'm wondering if the problem is that the new router only has 5Ghz WiFi switched on and the laptop WiFi interface only supports 2.4Ghz. The reverse is also possible, i.e. laptop WiFi interface has been set to use 5Ghz only and the router doesn't have 5Ghz WiFi switched on yet. 

You can check the settings on the laptop WiFi interface by selecting Change Adapter Options on the Network & Internet Settings screen, select the relevant adapter, and right-click and select Properties, then selected Configure. On the Advanced tab, look at the value of any Property with a name like 802.11a/b/g Wireless Mode. 

Checking how the router is confiugred will require the Admin password. It might be sensible to change the Admin password away from the default if you have not already done so. You should store the new Admin password somewhere safe, ideally in a Password Manager on your phone as you are likely to need it when your broadband is down. 

Si_Clist

Thank you very much tacpot12 but alas when I go to select the relevant adaptor, the options are only Bluetooth and ethernet!

Scarum

Sounds like the wi-fi adapter is not awake or dead.  Of course you need to make sure wi-fi is highlighted, do you see this? 



Definitely make sure aeroplane (airplane) mode is off.

You could check the wi-fi adapter under device manager.  Next step for me would be, under device manager, to uninstall and reinstall the wi-fi adapter.  If no joy then download the latest wi-fi adapter drivers and update the wi-fi adapter.  To find the latest drivers go to your device manufacturer's website download page, most have an autodetect feature to check you get the correct one.

Is this a new router altogether, or the same one?

Si_Clist

No I don't see that! Thanks for your help but unfortunately I'm dealing with a bit of a domestic emergency right now so will have to come back to this in the morning.  New router,btw,but evefrything else connected to it easily enough ...

J_B

Perhaps you have inadvertently switched off WiFi on the laptop? Maybe with one of the F? keys?

Heedtheadvice

As above....or is there a physical switch for that? Some laptops have one.

That should be first check otherwise everything else is a non starter.

As  a temp solution to connectivity connect laptop to router with a  ethernet cable

After that you can download  a WiFi analyser app to help find out what is going on such as https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/wifi-analyzer/9NBLGGH33N0N?hl=en-gb&gl=gb

That one is basic but simple and will show all wifi signals the laptop can see. That can answer general operational issues, band etc.

Si_Clist

Just now able to get back to this after being crocked up for a while.  In the end I managed to sort this out by doing a network reset when offered the option in network settings