When working with a PC, laptop, tablet and other devices, users sometimes encounter the following problem: the router does not provide Wi-Fi, but the Internet is available on the computer. To correct the problem, you will need to perform several simple manipulations, using the recommended methods designed to debug the system and achieve the desired result. Let's look at the main situations when the router stops distributing wi-fi.
In addition to a computer or laptop, other devices are connected to the Wi-Fi network: tablet, smartphone, TV, etc. They all work on different systems, but they face a problem in that the gadgets are not able to connect to wireless network.
In order to fix this problem, you must first reboot the router and then try to connect again. If this method does not help, you need to re-create the wireless connection on the network device itself. The wi-fi network name must contain only Latin characters. You can also try changing the password and then reconnecting to the wireless network so that the router is able to distribute the Internet.
The device connects to the Wi-Fi network, but does not access the Internet
Often the problem when the router cannot distribute Wi-Fi arises due to failures in the device settings: for example, time/date desynchronization. In addition, it is possible to reconnect the personal network again. Sometimes resetting the settings to factory settings on the device connected to the Internet, as well as on the router, helps.
The cable is damaged or incorrectly connected
Often the problem when the router has stopped distributing wifi, but the Internet is working, is due to mechanical damage to the Internet cable or its incorrect connection.
First of all, you need to check whether the Internet cable is connected correctly. It should fit into the WAN connector of the router, marked in blue. You should also make sure that one of the LAN ports yellow color(directly for the computer’s network card) the corresponding cable is also connected.
The indicators on the router do not just light up, but, as a rule, signal that the Internet is connected, as well as the use of one of the ports. When network cables are correctly and securely connected, but the indicators do not light up, the insulation condition should be checked for mechanical damage: breaks, bends, etc. If there are such problems, the router, of course, is not capable of distributing the network.
Problems with the router
There are also options when there is Internet on the network equipment, but the router does not distribute the Internet via wifi. The causes of the problem are different, often associated with incorrect operation of the router itself. Some users believe that if the router stops distributing the Internet, the device stops working. However, it is worth debugging the settings of the adapter, as well as the computer itself.
Signs that indicate a router malfunction:
- The laptop or computer does not detect the Wi-Fi network.
- The connection is unstable. There are constant connection breaks and reconnections.
- The modem provides extremely slow speed.
- The device is connected to Wi-Fi and the router is working, but there is no access to the global network.
Thus, before replacing your router, which is unable to distribute the network, you should check and reconfigure it. The solution to the problem when the router for some reason does not distribute Wi-Fi, but the Internet is on the computer, is carried out not only by programs, but also by hardware testing.
If the wireless connection is not established, then the problem is in the wifi settings on the router. But if other devices work stably, the problem lies in the equipment making useless attempts to connect via wifi.
Each router has a special button that is responsible for turning the device on and off; using it, the router reboots. In order to check its physical health, you should press the button and make sure that the indicator with the Wi-Fi icon on the case lights up. If this happens, the router is technically sound and in all likelihood is capable of distributing the network.
There are a great many reasons for software problems when the router does not distribute the Internet via wifi, ranging from the features and settings of the network card to blocking Wi-Fi connections antivirus. Among the most common problems are errors in the configuration settings of the operating system itself. This is especially true in cases where the computer was previously connected to another provider. To check or reconfigure on Windows 7 you will need to take the following steps:
- Open Network and Sharing Center.
- Click on the “Change adapter settings” button.
- Click on “Wireless Connection Properties”.
- Next, a small window will open where you should find the line “TCP/IPv4 protocol” and go to its properties.
- The above manipulations will open the network card settings. Here, opposite the corresponding lines, you should enter your own IP address, gateway and DNS server addresses, if known. Sometimes it is recommended to set markers on automatic address retrieval functions.
- After entering and confirming all changes, restart the computer. Internet setup is complete.
If the above manipulations do not have the expected effect, you need to dive directly into the interface of the router itself. This is necessary in order to change the address in the wireless adapter settings.
To do this you need to do the following:
This manipulation is performed in order to prevent the simultaneous operation of several routers, for example, among neighbors when operating in single channel mode. This channel related issue is quite common. For greater efficiency, it is recommended to try and compare the work on each channel.
In addition, you need to check whether the Wi-Fi distribution function is enabled on a specific router in its settings.
If the router's wireless network settings section does not contain a checkbox next to Enable Wireless Router Radio, it must be checked in order for the router to be able to distribute the network. In some situations, it may be wise to perform a factory reset and then completely reconfigure everything. To do this, you need to press and hold the button on the router for at least ten seconds.
Connected device problems
Computers and laptops sometimes have erroneous network settings that use incorrect addresses or parameters, which should be double-checked before connecting gadgets to the Internet. In addition, some antiviruses and other security programs can block connections and access to the Internet. In some situations, it is recommended to reinstall the wireless device driver.
Devices with various systems have different parameters, so often the problem when the router stops distributing Wi-Fi is not only in the connection settings.
Conclusion
This article discusses a situation where a working router for some reason stopped distributing wi fi (device network), and provides recommendations for troubleshooting a similar problem when the router works but does not distribute the Internet.
Wi-Fi technology is very widely used in life modern man, because it allows you to easily and quickly solve problems with connecting to the Internet without using conventional wires. This is especially true when using laptops, which can be used to access the Internet in any convenient place thanks to the presence of a built-in Wi-Fi adapter.
That is why the situation when Wi-Fi does not work on a laptop leads to significant inconvenience and even some problems. There are many reasons why Wi-Fi may not work on a laptop computer. It is simply unrealistic to solve the most serious of them on your own without the help of specialists, but there are quite a lot of them that can be eliminated on your own. Let's look at them.
Is the problem with your laptop or router?
A fairly common problem that a laptop has stopped connecting to the WiFi network is not a problem with the laptop itself, but with the settings of the router that distributes the network. Thus, the laptop can be configured correctly, but Wi-Fi still does not turn on precisely because it has nothing to connect to.
To rule out the possibility that the problem is related to this, you should try to connect to the network from any other device that is equipped with a Wi-Fi adapter - from another laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc.
If Wi-Fi does not work from another gadget, then the problem lies in the Wi-Fi router distributing the Internet. If the connection is successful, the problem is in the laptop and before solving it, you first need to determine why Wi-Fi stopped working.
Hardware enable adapter
Based on such diagnostics, it is possible to accurately determine that this problem arose precisely because of the laptop. When Wi-Fi does not work on it, you can try using several methods.
The first one is to check if the wireless adapter on your laptop is enabled. Almost all modern models have light indicators for the operation of the WiFi module and there are special key combinations to enable it in hardware.
Typically, a lit indicator indicates that the module is turned on. If the indicator does not light up at all or lights up in red, then Wi-Fi is not working precisely because of the wireless network adapter. It must be turned on.
Most often, such indicators are located directly on the keyboard, side or front panel of the device case. Sometimes they are located on the monitor body or near the touchpad.
To enable the module of such a network, press the key combination Fn and one of the system keys F1-F12. The specific combination depends on the laptop manufacturer. Usually, the corresponding antenna icon is located on the desired key. If it is not there, then to turn on Wi-Fi you should try pressing the standard combination for a particular model:
Fn+F3 for Acer;
Fn+F2 for Asus, Dell or Gigabyte;
Fn+F5 on Fujitsu devices;
Fn+F12 on HP laptops.
After pressing the corresponding keys, we check whether the wireless connection module operation indicator lights up or whether it stops glowing red. After this, you should try to connect to the network again. If this does not help, move on to the next step.
Software enablement
When Wi-Fi stops working and turning it on in hardware doesn’t work positive results, you also need to enable it programmatically, which is done directly from the operating system under which the laptop runs.
To programmatically enable WiFi that has stopped working on Windows 7, 8 or 10, you need to perform the following sequence of actions:
1. On the notification panel, which is located near the clock, select the network connection status icon;
2. From the list that opens, select “Network and Sharing Center” or “ Network settings» depending on the operating system version;
3. The next step is “Changing adapter settings.”
Among the list of all existing connections You need to pay attention to the color of the “Wireless Network Connection” icon. If your WiFi does not work and the wireless adapter is disabled, the connection icon will not be highlighted. In this case, right-click on its icon and select “Enable” from the context menu that opens. The color of the connection icon should change.
In this case, the wireless network adapter turns on, all you have to do is find the one you need in the list of available wireless networks and connect to it.
If, after such actions, Wi-Fi, which has stopped working, continues to be inactive, you need to move on to the next method of solving the problem.
Driver installation and update
Quite often, the wireless Wi-Fi connection does not turn on due to the lack of a driver or when it is very outdated. To determine whether the driver is installed, you need to select “Properties” from the context menu of the “My Computer” icon, which is located on the desktop or in the “Start” menu. Next, in the window that opens, select the “Device Manager” command from the menu on the left.
In the new window that opens with a list of connected devices, you need to find the name of the laptop’s wireless network adapter. Usually its name is “Wireless Network Adapter” or “Wireless Network Adapter”, along with which the device manufacturer should be indicated: Realtek, Atheros, Qualcomm or something else.
Having found the desired item and right-clicking on it, select “Properties” from the context menu. In the window that opens, there should be an item “Device is working normally.” But even if there is a mark about normal operation device, this is far from a guarantee that the correct driver version is installed and Wi-Fi is turned on correctly. To check it, in the window with the properties of the wireless device, go to the “Driver” tab and pay attention to the items “Date of development” and “Vendor”.
If the supplier is Microsoft or the program development date is several years behind the current one, go to the official website of the laptop manufacturer and download the latest official version of the driver.
The same should be done if there is no wireless adapter among the list of installed devices.
If the wireless communication module is present in the list of devices, but is marked with a yellow exclamation mark, this means that the device is disabled, as a result of which the network has stopped working. In this case, opening the device properties window, you need to click the “Engage” button.
Another reason why Wi-Fi stopped working on a laptop may be that the energy-saving mode is enabled, which prevents the wireless connection from working. To disable it, you need to do the following:
1. Open Control Panel;
2. Select the “Power Options” icon;
3. In the window that opens, select the “High Performance” or “Balanced” mode.
External obstacles to the signal
It's also worth noting that a broken wireless network can also be the result of more than just laptop problems. The wireless signal depends on some external factors which may weaken it. Ceilings, walls, floors and similar obstacles significantly degrade the signal quality of the access point and laptop.
As you know, the signal quality on a personal computer is displayed in the form of several marks - the more of them, the higher the quality of the signal. If the wireless connection level is displayed as 1 or 2 marks, then you don’t have to try to use WiFi - in this case it will not work normally.
In this case, you need to move the router closer to your workplace, move workplace closer to Wi-Fi router or buy a new, more powerful router.
Other causes of Wi-Fi problems
The causes of problems with the functioning of the wireless network adapter described above are the most common and you can fix them on your own.
It is worth noting that all of these are software solutions to the problem, which can be solved by installing, reinstalling or updating the device driver, as well as performing some operations with the OS.
But often the problem with the operation of the wireless connection module lies in hardware errors. What are these errors? These are problems that are directly related to the board itself, most often due to its physical damage.
To fix such problems, you will need to disassemble the laptop. It is worth noting that such actions can only be performed if you have certain skills in this area. If such skills are missing, it is better to entrust the work to professionals.
One of the most common physical damages is an unconnected antenna wire to the proximity module. This problem occurs with laptops that have been repaired or if their owner independently cleaned the cooling system from dust. In such cases, the antenna is sometimes simply forgotten, as a result of which the adapter will not be able to establish a connection even near the signal source. To fix this problem, you just need to connect its antenna to the Wi-Fi module.
Sometimes the reason that Wi-Fi stops working is the usual overheating of the network card. Most often this is the result of the laptop being placed on some kind of soft surface. The thing is that at the bottom of the device there are holes through which cold air enters, cooling all the computer boards. By blocking these holes, the system will overheat, which can lead to failure of certain components.
Another common cause of device overheating is dust, which can prevent cold air from entering the cooling system.
That is why, in order to avoid such problems, it is recommended to clean the laptop from dust at least once every year: in this case, it will be possible to avoid repairing the laptop as a result of overheating of its components.
In the most extreme cases, the wireless adapter may even burn out. In this case, only replacing it with a new one will help. You can determine this problem using the device manager, in which the module will simply no longer be displayed. When you try to install a driver for a wireless network, a message appears stating that the corresponding device is not installed on the system.
If all else fails
If none of the tips above helped, you can use a simple, but often effective solution: restart both your computer and your wireless router. Please note that after a reboot, the router turns on for up to 5-10 minutes before it starts distributing the network. Be patient. Also, despite the opinion of many skeptics, sometimes the problem diagnostic function found in the Windows operating system helps solve problems with a wireless network.
Thus, the above was listed most of existing solutions problems related to the fact that Wi-Fi stopped working on the laptop. Almost all such methods and recommendations can be used by anyone who is faced with a similar problem, since this does not require any special skills.
If nothing helps, and the wireless network does not start working, there is only one option left - go for help to a quality service center, where they can solve any problems with the laptop.
If the article did not help solve your problem and Wi-Fi still does not work, write in the comments, I will try to help.
The Wi-Fi network does not work on the laptop because:
- Banal reasons (provider, food, distance)
- The router is faulty or not configured
- Problems with laptop WiFi module
- Network card drivers not installed or bad
- Numerous nuances with setting up Wi-Fi under Windows
This is what we will deal with in this article. Most problems can be solved on your own, and if you read to the end, you can fix 99% of the reasons. There I also recorded a video where some points are clearly visible.
Who's to blame: the router or the laptop?
In general, the source of the problem can be either the router or the laptop. The easiest way to find out is to connect to the Internet from another device, such as a smartphone, tablet or other laptop. If it doesn’t connect via Wi-Fi (), then everything is clear - we’ll dig towards the router. If it works on the phone but not on the laptop, then the reason is in the laptop, but the router settings may simply be inappropriate.
Simple reasons
No matter how clear this may be to everyone, in practice it turns out that not everyone thinks about banal reasons.
If it suddenly stopped working because of the laptop
First of all, see if the Wi-Fi module is turned on. Many laptops have a special light with a wireless sign:
Accordingly, if the light does not light or glows red, then look somewhere on the case for the Wi-Fi module switch:
It may be on the front or side, but on modern devices it is simply a key combination, for example:
For reference, the following are known standard combinations:
- Acer: Fn+F3
- Asus, Dell or Gigabyte: Fn+F2
- Fujitsu: Fn+F5
- HP: Fn+F12
Well, this is true, in general, since it depends on the model, just look for the same drawn icon on the keyboard.
From a simple point of view, restarting Windows can also help.
If Wi-Fi does not work due to the router
Check if the router is working. Maybe somewhere the traffic jams were knocked out or the lights were turned off and it just doesn’t work. Or the power supply moved away from the outlet (to smoke :)), the cat hit it, it doesn’t matter. If it works, then: turn it off, wait 10 seconds and turn it on again. After 2-3 minutes, when the router boots up, check if WiFi is working on your computer/laptop.
If it works after a reboot, but you have to do this several times a day, then most likely you need to look for a new router. Less often, the reason is in the provider or its settings. It’s better to call first and ask why this is happening to you, and name the router model. Maybe he can advise which ones their network will work best with.
Make sure your Internet provider service has been renewed. You can just call or try to go to Personal Area on the supplier's website. If this is the only problem, then their site will load. Of course, you need to save this address in your bookmarks.
Wi-Fi will not work if you move too far from the router. 10 meters is enough for problems to start. This is if there are walls. And if not, then 15-20 meters may be decisive for most routers and laptops. The quality of wireless network reception can be assessed by the icon next to the clock:
The real reasons for WiFi not working on a laptop
WiFi does not want to work only on a laptop
We look at the network icon next to the clock. If it's a red cross:
Means Wi-Fi module disabled. Right-click on the icon and select “Network and Sharing Center”
Find the “Wireless Network” connection. It may be called differently, but distinctive feature wireless network icon are signal strength bars. Enable the connection with the right button:
Wi-Fi network does not turn on
It may happen that the message “Obtaining an IP address” appears for some time and then the error “Windows was unable to connect to...” appears. The method for obtaining the IP address is probably incorrect. Let's try the following:
Right click on connection " Wireless network -> IP version 4 (TCP/IPv4)»
If some numbers are written in the window, then it’s better to copy them somewhere, in case they come in handy, and put everything on automatic:
Try reconnecting. Did not help? Then we set the following settings:
We try 192.168.0.2 or 192.168.1.2 for the IP address, and 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 as the default gateway, respectively, it should work in one of the options.
No wireless network at all
Most likely the Wi-Fi module driver is not installed. Need to . In Windows 10, simply right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Here we carefully look for problematic devices:
If you observe a similar pattern, i.e. there are a lot of devices with exclamation marks, this means that you recently reinstalled Windows and did not install any drivers at all. So not only will your Wi-Fi not work, but half of everything won’t work at all.
You need to install all the drivers. If there is a disk with drivers from the seller, then insert it and agree with everything that the wizard suggests. If not, then you need to read the article about automatic.
If the picture is simpler, with only “Network controller” and/or “Ethernet controller” with exclamation marks, then go to the laptop manufacturer’s website, section “ Support -> Downloads -> Software and Drivers", this is approximately, variations are possible. You need to find the model of your laptop, it is written on the back cover. Next, go to the driver download section and select your operating system and its bit depth ().
Among all the drivers you need to find something with the words “Wireless LAN”
Download and install. The most popular manufacturers of Wi-Fi chips: Broadcom, Intel, Realtek, Atheros. You may find drivers from several manufacturers for your laptop. It’s just that different chips can be installed in different revisions. How do you know which one you need? The easiest way is to try them one by one, but in general, using the AIDA64 program, you can look in the “Network -> PCI/PnP Network” section:
The screenshot shows that the Wireless network card is Broadcom, and the cable (Ethernet) is Realtek.
For select Lenovo laptops
If you are the “lucky” owner of one of the Lenovo devices with network Broadcom installed, then I know that in Windows 8/10 you have serious problems with WiFi: the Internet works for a while, then the connection drops, you have to connect again, and so on all the time. There is only one way out, but it is there: install the version driver 5.100.245.200 .
To change the driver, go to the device manager, right-click on Broadcom -> Update driver:
In the next window, uncheck “Only compatible devices” and click “Have from disk”
But at this step you need to specify the path to the folder with the unzipped file. We ignore warnings that the driver is not suitable and agree with everything. If after these steps it only gets worse, then just go to Broadcom properties in the task manager and do “ Driver -> Roll back driver…»
What if the network card is not in Device Manager
It may be that the network card does not even have an exclamation mark in the list of devices. This means that the Wi-Fi module has jumped out of the connector or burned out. You can fix it if you disassemble the laptop a little. Here you can see recommendations for a specific laptop, I recommend it on YouTube.
Everything works, but the list of networks is empty
In this case, the switch that I wrote about at the very beginning of the article may be turned off. But it could also easily be that someone forgot to connect the antenna to wifi module. Maybe when it was cleaned from dust, or something was changed, in short, you need to disassemble and connect the antennas. Also try updating the driver to the latest one.
Disappears after waking up from sleep mode
In Device Manager, go to the properties of the wireless adapter, go to the “Power Management” tab and uncheck the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” checkbox.
Incomprehensible glitches, does not connect to Wi-Fi
Perhaps the network parameters on the router have changed, and the created Wi-Fi profile is old. You need to delete it and find the network again. On Windows 10:
Go to “Network Settings”
Click “Manage known networks”
To delete a profile, “forget” the network
Then we connect to WiFi as for the first time. For any Windows versions This method also helps to delete a profile:
- In the search for the Start menu, enter “cmd”, launch it with the right button “Run as administrator”
- IN command line(in the black window) we write:
netsh wlan delete profile name=”Profile name from the list of networks”
Resetting the TCP/IP stack
This method may help if sites open poorly:
- On the command line we write:
netsh int ip reset C:\resetlog.log
- Reboot the laptop.
Disable TCP/IP auto-configuration in Windows 10
Innovations in the top ten, designed to optimize the use of the network, in many cases lead to frequent Wi-Fi failures. We try to turn it off and reboot. To do this, enter the commands one by one on the command line:
netsh int tcp set heuristics disabled
netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled
netsh int tcp set global rss=enabled
After each command you should see confirmation of successful execution “Ok”. Reboot, check if everything works as it should.
What to do if the Wi-Fi module burns out or is constantly glitching
Sometimes nothing helps, no matter how hard you try! In this case the most correct solution– buy a USB Wi-Fi module (“whistle”).
Changing the built-in network is more difficult and expensive. USB “whistles” work normally, at almost the same speeds. And for the notorious Broadcom at Lenovo, even the cheapest Realtek RTL8188CU module at $4 works 1.5-2 times faster and more stable!
Problems with the router
There are two options here:
There is a connection, but no access to the Internet
This is when the wifi icon looks like this:
This means that wifi is connected and working, but the network is only between the laptop and the router. Those. The router is not configured or does not have access to the Internet. Look at the front panel of the router, is the WAN light on/blinking? If not, then there is a problem with the cable from the provider, you need to call them. If the light is on, then you need to go to the admin panel of the router and configure Internet access for your provider. How to log into the admin panel is in .
Let me make a reservation right away that all Internet providers have their own ways of organizing access. Ideally, you need to find a contract that spells out everything. Or call technical support.
The point is this: in the admin panel you need to go to the WAN section and enter the settings there from the sheet. Using a TP-Link router as an example, it looks like this:
And since we are here, we will immediately solve problems when sites do not open, but Skype works and the Wi-Fi icon shows that everything, like, works. Check the box “Use These DNS Servers” and enter in the fields:
8.8.8.8
77.88.8.8
These are public DNS servers of Google and Yandex, respectively. Or:
1.1.1.1
1.0.0.1
These will be the new faster DNS from CloudFlare. We do this because the DNS (name servers) of providers very often fail, as a result, the Internet appears to be there, but browsers do not understand site names and do not see them.
Also, if sites work very slowly, loading is intermittent, then in the WAN sections, pay attention to the “MTU Size” parameter. If the connection type is “Dynamic IP” or “Static IP”, then the value should be 1500. For L2TP: 1460, PPPoE: 1420. If you have a network via a 3G modem, then set the MTU to 1476. This is a fine network setting, and if the connection if stable operation is not achieved, then you need to call your provider and ask what MTU you need to use.
This situation could also arise if you were previously connected by cable directly, and then installed a router. Many telecom providers record your MAC address when you first connect, so that no one but you can use your Internet. The computer and router have their own unique MAC addresses. And it turns out that your router turns out to be a stranger to your provider.
You need to assign the same mac to the router as the computer’s network card. To do this, in the admin panel we find the “Network -> MAC Clone” section and click the “Clone MAC Address” button, save, and reboot.
Wi-Fi doesn't work well and turns off
If everything worked, and then suddenly stopped, or everything took a very long time to load and was interrupted, then it is very likely that the radio channel that the router uses is clogged. You need to go to the admin panel in the “Wireless” settings section and see what the channel is:
It should be "Auto". If it doesn’t help, then you can try selecting any numbers from the drop-down list. A couple of attempts will be enough to understand that this is not the case.
If it does not connect to Wi-Fi at all or writes “Status Restricted”, then you need to select the mixed operating mode “11bgn mixed” there. It can be called differently, the key here is the letter “bgn”. This means three wifi network standards. “B” is the oldest and slowest, “G” is up to 54 Mbit, “N” is the most popular today. But you will have to log into the router from another device, because it’s not possible from a laptop. Or just reset it to default.
Also, poor and slow communication may be due to the power supply scheme in Windows. With certain settings, a gentle mode of operation of the adapter can be enabled. You need to change it here:
If all else fails
What else, sometimes it helps to set the same time zone in the router settings as is installed in Windows:
Enabling FIPS compatibility mode may also help. To enable go to " Network and Sharing Center -> Wireless -> Wireless Properties -> Security -> Advanced Settings»
And in the next window, enable the checkbox for compatibility mode with the “FIPS” standard.
It doesn't hurt to disable your antivirus, especially DrWeb, which can block the network.
Before you throw your laptop out the window, try using Windows' built-in troubleshooting wizard, which offers its services at every error. It's strange, but they say that sometimes it helps
Watch the video on the article:
That's all, friends, good luck!
Let's look at the problem today when Wi-Fi network It works unstable, and when the connection to the Wi-Fi network periodically breaks down, or the Internet connection disappears. It seems to me that this is even worse than when the Internet does not work at all. Because the problem is not clear, everything seems to work, but not as it should, the signal disappears, devices turn off, and other incomprehensible moments. It’s just that when something doesn’t work, it’s at least clear where to look for a solution, but in such a situation nothing is clear at all.
What causes an unstable Wi-Fi connection:
- Periodic disconnections of devices from the Wi-Fi network. Or the Internet simply breaks for a while (), and everything starts working again. A very popular problem that causes a lot of inconvenience. For example, a laptop is connected to a Wi-Fi network, and the Internet is working. But periodically a yellow exclamation mark appears next to the connection icon, and the Internet disappears. Loading files, etc. gets lost. And as a rule, after a while the connection is restored.
- Devices do not connect to the Wi-Fi network the first time, or do not see the Wi-Fi network.
- The Wi-Fi network completely disappears and appears.
- Very low internet speed over wireless network (everything is fine via cable).
- When the Wi-Fi connection only works close to the router.
- The wireless network signal level is constantly changing.
This, of course, is not the entire list of problems that are associated with unstable operation of wireless networks. There may be many more. Very often, Wi-Fi works fine for a while, and then problems begin and go away again. You may also notice the appearance of problems, for example in the evenings, or at other times of the day.
If you have something similar, and you seem to have an Internet connection, but you can’t always use it ( use without any problems), then now we will try to fix everything.
Changing the wireless network channel when Wi-Fi is unstable
This is the first and most main advice, which is a must try. We know that every Wi-Fi network operates on some channel. If there are many of these networks, then they begin to interfere with each other, and interference appears. As a result, Wi-Fi is unstable. Well, and various incomprehensible problems that I wrote about above, and which you have most likely already encountered.
Need to change Wi-Fi channel network in the router settings. Details about channels, about finding a free one and about changing to different models routers, I wrote in a separate instruction:
You can try setting some kind of static channel (if you have Auto), or vice versa, set Auto if a static channel was selected. In the article linked above, I wrote about finding the freest channel using the inSSIDer program. You can use it.
You just need to go to the router settings, go to the tab where you configure the wireless network, and in the Channel item change the channel. This is what it looks like on Tp-Link routers:
And on Asus routers:
After each channel change, do not forget save the settings and reboot the router. Be sure to try several options. It should help.
As for interference, household appliances can create it. Do not place the router near microwave ovens, cordless phones, etc.
The Internet is cut off via Wi-Fi: router firmware, and other tips
Almost always, such problems in the wireless network occur due to the router. Not rarely, this is due to the firmware. Therefore, I strongly recommend updating the firmware of your router. We have instructions on our website for all popular manufacturers. Here's an example:
It is also possible that the wireless network may be unstable due to some technical problems with router. Something with the board itself, or the power adapter. By the way, it is power adapters that very often cause such problems. The router simply does not receive the necessary power and there are connection breaks, etc. Well, strong changes in the power supply can affect the operation of the router. If the Internet goes out after you put some kind of load on the router (online videos, games, torrents, connecting new devices, etc.), then this is usually due to an inexpensive (not powerful) router.
Need to eliminate problems on the ISP side. It may well be that the connection is broken on its end, and the router has nothing to do with it. It’s very easy to check, just connect the Internet directly to your computer and check its operation.
For many people, the connection breaks down in rooms where the Wi-Fi network signal is very poor. When, for example, only one division of the network signal remains on the device.
In such a situation, you need to increase the range of your Wi-Fi network. We have an article on this topic:. Or, install . After this, problems with Internet interruptions should disappear.
And if your devices at home find a lot of available networks that operate at a frequency of 2.4 GHz (as is most likely your network), and changing the channel, and even changing the router does not produce results, and the Wi-Fi network is very unstable, then this problem can be solved by purchasing a router that supports operation at a frequency of 5 GHz. This frequency is practically free. I just know a case where there were a lot of wireless networks in the house, and Wi-Fi was simply impossible to use until they switched to the 5 GHz frequency.
If the Internet disappears on only one laptop
And of course, it’s not uncommon for all devices to connect and work with a wireless network without any problems or disconnections, but one device keeps disconnecting, losing connection, etc. It’s not hard to guess that most often this device is called a laptop and runs on Windows.
In such cases, it is imperative to update the wireless adapter driver. I wrote how to do this. It is possible that the problem may be in the hardware. And it appears very often after disassembling the laptop (cleaning dust). Why is that? During assembly, the antenna that is built into the laptop often suffers. These are the problems with working with Wi-Fi networks. Very often, after this the Internet only works near the router itself.
Update: changing Wi-Fi network properties
Open Network and Sharing Center and click on your Wi-Fi network. In the new window, click on the “Wireless Network Properties” button and check the box next to “Connect even if the network does not broadcast its name (SSID).” Click Ok.
If it doesn’t help, and Wi-Fi continues to fail, then in the same window, on the “Security” tab, you can click on the “Advanced settings” button and check the box next to “Enable compatibility mode for this network.” Federal standard information processing (FIPS)".
You can restart your computer. Thanks to Alexander for this advice. He suggested it in the comments to this article.
Here are some tips if you have any: interesting information on this topic, personal experience, then write in the comments. You can ask questions there, I will definitely answer!
