My laptop is not connecting to to my wireless network.?

Question

I have a laptop with a built in wireless card and am trying to connect to my wirless router with it. When I look at the list of wirless connections in range, mine is there, and I click on it to connect and it does its detecting network type thing, but then I get a box that pops up saying 'Windows is unable to connect to the selected network. The network may no longer be in range. Please refresh the list of available networks, and try to connect again' So I refresh it, and try it again and still get the same message. I am wonderig if this is a problem with the router or my laptop. And how can I fix it? Any help would be appreciated, I hate calling tech support.

This si the first time connecting to it, and i am right by the router with my laptop is the signal strength is max. And i have used my wireless connection before and never had any problems.

Answer 1

The most common problem is that your wireless router may have password detection. In this case, your laptop won't be able to connect to it without your giving it the password.

Some program will automatically prompt you to enter a password, however, some won't at all and would give you misleading, canned messages like you've seen.

I'd first check the wireless router manual to temporarily disable the password protection and try to connect. Most have a hardware reset button, some you need to control via a website to disable the password.

Answer 2

I'm afraid this may be a bit technical, but I'll do my best: You do not say what models your router & laptop are - that would help! It is possible that they are both working, but not using the same wireless standard. The laptop (if a few years old) may support only '802.11B' while the router (& wanadoo adapter) may be using '802.11G'. Check the router's settings as it should be able to be set to use either only 'G' or both 'B' & 'G' together if it is fairly new. There is also '802.11N' which is very new. You have not said whether the adapter is working with the laptop or another computer? If it works in the laptop, then compare the properties of its settings with those of your built-in wireless adapter. Is there a wireless switch on the case of the laptop? Sometimes this is the same switch for both BluTooth & WiFi - check that it is on! The 'Sony Vaio VGN-SZ2XP' certainly has one like this. What I said about 802.11 standards also applies to encryption standards. There is WPA (newer, more secure) & WEP (older) - make sure that your Sony supports the WPA standard if your router is using it.

Answer 3

i had this problem with my Verizon wireless router however i found the following info on the dell website.

1. Interoperability issue between a Verizon Westell 327W modem/router and Dell Wireless cards.


An interoperability issue has been identified between the Westell DSL modem/router model A90-327W15-06, software version 03.00.63A, and all Dell wireless cards. The typical symptom is the network name or SSID of the Westell modem/router is seen, but a connection cannot be established. Additionally, when a connection attempt is made, the network name or SSID may disappear.

This problem is corrected by downloading a software version upgrade from Verizon.

it can also just be the password. If you forget the password their will bea a reset button on the back of the router.

Answer 4

I would try unpluging your router and then pluging it back in again . You also might try hitting the little refresh button to see if it picks up the router. I have had this problem with my router as well and usually this helps. You also want to go into your control panel and then go to hardware and make sure the wireless card is enabled. I know when i first got my laptop it was not enabled.

Answer 5

How strong is the network signal? It does have to be around 2 bars and above to get a reliable connection. It may also be worth checking the router settings to see if it allows incoming connections.

Answer 6

Is this the first time you're connecting to this network? During setup or first connection sometimes it helps to have the unit very close to the router for maximun signal strength. Try that if you haven't already.

Answer 7

Power Cycle your network:
1. Turn all computers off and unplug the power from the back of the modem and the wireless router.
2. Plug in the power to the modem and wait for about two minutes.
3. Plug in the power to the the router and wait again for about two minutes.
4. Turn on the computers, ONE AT A TIME, and let the fully boot up and connect.

If this doesn't work, do the folowing:

HOW TO DO A THOROUGH CLEAN UP:
Before doing any of the maintenance steps outlined below make sure that your system is free from viruses and/or of any other undesirable Internet bugs, by running a thorough security scan of your machine.
Now, do the following as needed:
“I” (FOR WINDOWS XP-IE6)
While you are connected to the Internet do the following:
1. Click on tools ... Internet options. There you will see three buttons next to each other... “Delete Cookies” ... “Delete Files” and “Settings.” Also, below the settings button you will see another one “Clear history.”
2. Click on “settings” - go to “Edit” - Click on “select all” - Go to files, click delete and wait till all Internet trash files are gone.
3. Go back and click on “delete cookies” and wait till all cookies are gone
4. Go back and click on “Delete files,” put a check mark on the little white square shown on the small window that will open, click OK and wait for a little.
5. Go back and click on “Clear history”, click “yes” and you are done. Go to item “III” now.
ADDITIONAL INFO.: Here is how to clean website addresses from you IE6 browser bar: While you are connected to Internet, go to “Tools” … “Internet Options,” “Content” tab … “Auto Complete button” … click on “clear forms” and you are finished.

“II” (FOR WINDOWS XP-IE7):
Go to Start … Control Panel … Internet Options. Under “Browsing history” click “Delete” and then click “Delete all,” put a check mark in the little white square and then click “Yes” and you are done. Go to Item “III” now.

“III” (FOR BOTH WIN-IE6 AND WIN-IE7)
1. Do a check disk and a defrag, then restart your computer and see if the problem is resolved. It is assumed that you know how to do a check disc and disc difragmentation.
2. If the above steps don’t do the job, here is a little program that keeps your machine in shape and free from Windows micro-problems that lead to slowness and crashes:
Get on the web and go to http://www.tune-up.com/products/tuneup-utilities/site; download the free trial program, familiarize your self with it and use it to clean up your registry automatically along with a sort of other helpful and useful maintenance chores. It is an excellent little program and does wonders with PC maintenance tasks and I strongly recommend it! It works on the background on its own automatically.
3. After you are through with the above maintenance steps, go to Microsoft/Windows updates and download any and all available and/or applicable updates.
Hope this helps!
NDS

Answer 8

try clearing your cache
goto cmd prompt
type in
dns /clearcache
then if it gives you an error-that means it has nothing in cache
try unplugging the router and wait ten seconds
plug it back in and that will clear most problems.
if it is wep enabled then you will have to put that key in when asked,
good luck