Laptop not connecting to WiFi in only one location?
October 3, 2013 10:31 AM Subscribe
My laptop connects to every wireless WiFi signal I ask it to, except for one in a single particular office, where I do some volunteer work. The signal is strong, everyone else's laptops connect, but mine doesn't. Or sometimes it does, and then gets kicked off after just a few minutes.
Is there a way to troubleshoot this? Why might this be happening in only this one location, with only this one signal? It's a mystery to me.
You need more information: type of signal? a, b, g, n..? DHCP? What happens if you're right next to the wireless router? Can you try a usb network stick?
posted by devnull at 10:53 AM on October 3, 2013
posted by devnull at 10:53 AM on October 3, 2013
In my experience, this is most often due to an incompatibility between the WiFi router's encryption implementation, and that on the device.
Most often, the router/router firmware is at fault, but really, you haven't given us much to go on. For a start, what Operating System and version are you using? What kind of laptop?
Given that the problem seems to be localized to a particular network, and assuming you are on relatively recent hardware and you OS is automatically updated, the remedy is likely to involve whoever is responsible for the problem network.
They will probably need to update firmware and/or change the encryption settings, or replace the router all together.
posted by Good Brain at 5:09 PM on October 3, 2013
Most often, the router/router firmware is at fault, but really, you haven't given us much to go on. For a start, what Operating System and version are you using? What kind of laptop?
Given that the problem seems to be localized to a particular network, and assuming you are on relatively recent hardware and you OS is automatically updated, the remedy is likely to involve whoever is responsible for the problem network.
They will probably need to update firmware and/or change the encryption settings, or replace the router all together.
posted by Good Brain at 5:09 PM on October 3, 2013
Is this a Mac by any chance? Every once in a while I run into a network that just does not work with Mac Airport drivers. There's no solution on your end to that problem, I'm afraid.
posted by WasabiFlux at 6:02 PM on October 3, 2013
posted by WasabiFlux at 6:02 PM on October 3, 2013
I have two Macs that have had that problem, and renewing the DHCP lease seems to fix it.
posted by Napoleonic Terrier at 9:21 PM on October 3, 2013
posted by Napoleonic Terrier at 9:21 PM on October 3, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks for your comments. I have a 2008 Dell Inspiron 1420 PC. Vista Home Premium.
Now, here's the thing, my Galaxy SIII also won't connect! But I don't seem to be the only person having issues anymore, as one of our volunteers who came in last week couldn't connect to the network.
I don't know much about the router, it is located upstairs, the management of the building is piss-poor so far with responding.
I will try the USB network stick next and see if it makes any difference for my computer. I will try to access the router and see about the channel and signal letter too.
Also having problems staying on network at a local coffee shop about 2 blocks away. Bermuda triangle syndrome?
posted by franklen at 7:08 AM on October 14, 2013
Now, here's the thing, my Galaxy SIII also won't connect! But I don't seem to be the only person having issues anymore, as one of our volunteers who came in last week couldn't connect to the network.
I don't know much about the router, it is located upstairs, the management of the building is piss-poor so far with responding.
I will try the USB network stick next and see if it makes any difference for my computer. I will try to access the router and see about the channel and signal letter too.
Also having problems staying on network at a local coffee shop about 2 blocks away. Bermuda triangle syndrome?
posted by franklen at 7:08 AM on October 14, 2013
You don't usually need physical access to get to the router. You just type in the router's IP address into the browser.
It will ask you for a password but most of the time people don't change it from the default. (Usually it's username: admin/password: admin, or a blank username/password: admin.)
To find the IP address of the router, pull up a command line (start > Run > cmd) and type
The only problem is, if you manage to mess up the router's configuration, you'll need to get physical access to it in order to press the button on it to reset the settings.
posted by zixyer at 10:13 AM on October 14, 2013
It will ask you for a password but most of the time people don't change it from the default. (Usually it's username: admin/password: admin, or a blank username/password: admin.)
To find the IP address of the router, pull up a command line (start > Run > cmd) and type
ipconfig. The router's address will be listed under your wireless card labeled "Default Gateway".The only problem is, if you manage to mess up the router's configuration, you'll need to get physical access to it in order to press the button on it to reset the settings.
posted by zixyer at 10:13 AM on October 14, 2013
Response by poster: I'll try the IP address access to find out more. But strangely enough it has been connecting lately, and staying connected for an extended period, however, eventually it will lose the connection and the only way to get it back is to restart the computer.
posted by franklen at 11:41 AM on November 6, 2013
posted by franklen at 11:41 AM on November 6, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
The first step is to check if the wifi drivers on your computer are up to date.
If you can get access to the router, see if there's a firmware update available. Try changing the wifi channel the router uses to 1, 6, or 11 and see if that improves things.
posted by zixyer at 10:51 AM on October 3, 2013