where oh where has my network gone
January 17, 2022 9:26 AM Subscribe
I haven't used my laptop (HP running Win10) for maybe 2 to 3 months. Now it can't find my network.
Once I got it charged and looked for available networks, mine wasn't showing on the available list. I have run all the troubleshooting I know of, including diagnostics and rebooting etc. The wifi adapter seems to be working just fine as I seem numerous other networks of my neighbors, just not mine.
When I last used this laptop, it was connected just fine. In fact, my network shows on the list of the ones I have connected to in the past. But again, it does not show up on ones available to connect to now.
Once I got it charged and looked for available networks, mine wasn't showing on the available list. I have run all the troubleshooting I know of, including diagnostics and rebooting etc. The wifi adapter seems to be working just fine as I seem numerous other networks of my neighbors, just not mine.
When I last used this laptop, it was connected just fine. In fact, my network shows on the list of the ones I have connected to in the past. But again, it does not show up on ones available to connect to now.
I'd first try rebooting the router. One of the wifi channels on my router dies once in a while and needs a reboot but devices on the other 2.4/5ghz channel work fine.
Can you get into your routers admin interface via another device? That would help diagnose some settings.
For a while it was popular to hide your wifi networks name so it didn't come up in scans. This could be listed as hide SSID or un unchecked broadcast ssid box. But if the name is the same your laptop should still be able to connect if it's not broadcasting the ssid.
I'd make sure the wifi tech/channel that the laptop has is enabled on the router (mostly 2.4ghz vs 5ghz, but could be the 802.11b,g,n nonsense).
Some routers have allow lists for certain client mac addresses, which used to be popular to set, I dont know that would hide the network from the laptop though.
posted by TheAdamist at 10:11 AM on January 17, 2022
Can you get into your routers admin interface via another device? That would help diagnose some settings.
For a while it was popular to hide your wifi networks name so it didn't come up in scans. This could be listed as hide SSID or un unchecked broadcast ssid box. But if the name is the same your laptop should still be able to connect if it's not broadcasting the ssid.
I'd make sure the wifi tech/channel that the laptop has is enabled on the router (mostly 2.4ghz vs 5ghz, but could be the 802.11b,g,n nonsense).
Some routers have allow lists for certain client mac addresses, which used to be popular to set, I dont know that would hide the network from the laptop though.
posted by TheAdamist at 10:11 AM on January 17, 2022
Response by poster: Yes I have tried the "forget" option to no avail. And when I tried to login to my router/modem (Motorola MG8702) it says it can't proceed because site not secure and something about the certificate being expired. Same thing with 3 different browsers.
posted by jtexman1 at 10:20 AM on January 17, 2022
posted by jtexman1 at 10:20 AM on January 17, 2022
Some routers have allow lists for certain client mac addresses, which used to be popular to set, I dont know that would hide the network from the laptop though.
Those should up fine as the client (laptop in this case) is only sampling which beacons it sees, and routers can't send out beacons that state "show this to any client except the one with MAC address 73:31:DE:AD:BE:EF". It's only when you try to connect that the MAC address gets rejected and the connection fails.
posted by Stoneshop at 10:28 AM on January 17, 2022
Those should up fine as the client (laptop in this case) is only sampling which beacons it sees, and routers can't send out beacons that state "show this to any client except the one with MAC address 73:31:DE:AD:BE:EF". It's only when you try to connect that the MAC address gets rejected and the connection fails.
posted by Stoneshop at 10:28 AM on January 17, 2022
it says it can't proceed because site not secure and something about the certificate being expired.
So you can establish a network link? Checking the properties of the wireless adapter it would show "connected" or something, as well as the name of the access point. Not getting in because the connection is not secure is a different matter which you should be able to bypass by selecting some "Advanced" / "I know the risk" / "Go ahead anyway" link on that browser page.
posted by Stoneshop at 10:45 AM on January 17, 2022
So you can establish a network link? Checking the properties of the wireless adapter it would show "connected" or something, as well as the name of the access point. Not getting in because the connection is not secure is a different matter which you should be able to bypass by selecting some "Advanced" / "I know the risk" / "Go ahead anyway" link on that browser page.
posted by Stoneshop at 10:45 AM on January 17, 2022
Have you checked that the clock on the laptop is correct?
posted by transitional procedures at 10:50 AM on January 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by transitional procedures at 10:50 AM on January 17, 2022 [3 favorites]
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