I can not connect to my network because I think the ID is hidden?

Question

I am trying to connect to the internet, but my router's ID is not showing up on the available network's list. I can connect to the internet, obviously, if I plug the network cable into my computer directly, but am unable to if I plug it into the network. Is it possible my network ID has been hidden somehow? Please help - very frustrated! Cheers, thanks.

Answer 1

If you are saying your WIRELESS ID is hidden you need to log into your router and be sure in the wireless settings that the SSID is set to broadcast. I turn them all off so that to connect you have to know both the SSID and the password.

Keeps those who don't know them out. Once your computer is setup, you don't need to re-enter them just use that connection profile, you will connect even though you don't see it!

If you are setup to broadcast and still don't see your ID you need to recycle the router, just unplug it for a minute and let it restart. If it STILL doesn't show,, its may be broken!

Now if you are talking strictly WIRED networks, the ROUTER does not usually show up in network places like other computers .. its a router not a system! You may need to check your network settings and be sure your are set to "automatic" setup.

Answer 2

If you can connect to internet by connecting your router directly to your system, and not by using your NIC card (connecting to network), you might need to some how sure about your NIC card functionality. To do this, first check your NIC led light see if it is on (green) once you are connected to network. if yes, then open command line prompt using start/run/cmd (if you are using MS Windows) and type: ping and press enter.
see if you can get echo reply?!
If not, it means your system is not properly connected to the network even!
You might check the ports.. for example if you are connecting to the network through a Hub, then be sure that the port you use is working peoperly! (if you can just chenge it to other ports and check "ping" command again)
If you can get the reply by pinging the router IP, that mean your NIC and all connection in between working properly, and by setting up your internet connection and configuring the IP address and gatway on your system (in case that you are not using DHCP), then you should be able to connect to internet using your NIC.