Wireless connections not working?
Overview of the connection process
Without getting technical, simply point your wireless equipment (adapter) at the preferred wireless network and select it, enter the security key for that particular network (often a password) and press ‘connect’. If all goes well you are them connected to your selected network.
Manually connecting your wireless equipment:
Right-click the network connection icon and click ‘View Available Wireless Networks’ See the system tray (very bottom right hand side of screen)
- Under Available Networks in the ‘connect to Wireless Network’ window, select the desired wireless network and enter the required security key for the network you wish to use. (This should have been provided by the person who setup the wireless network)
- Click the ‘connect’ button
- To adjust settings or troubleshoot the connection, select ‘advanced’ and change the settings in the Wireless Network tab.
Once you are connected use the internet normally.
Still not connected?
If you still can’t connect to the internet and your connection to the network is working there are a number of causes you should consider before blaming your wireless equipment.
The bulk of problems are resolved by restarting your router. Please do this before paying for any support services.
Note, most ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) will always say there is no problem with your line. You will need to be very specific and/or very firm to get them to do anything useful.
If you have RESTARTED your router (switch off and then on) and still can’t get an internet connection please work through the list of possible causes below:
- The router is switched off or dead. Check its plugged in and the lights are on.
- Someone may have disrupted your routers connection to the broadband service; check the cables attached to the router have not been moved/damaged (e.g. by builders, cleaners etc.), reconnect any loose cables and check if that helps.
- The broadband connection supplied by your ISP is not working; they may have a temporary problem. Call your ISP.
- Your ISP may have closed/disabled your account. Have there been any issues recently with your account status? Call your ISP.
- You may have changed/removed/added phone lines recently, and broadband is no longer on the same line. Please ensure your router is connected to the line with a live broadband connection.
- The laptop you are using has a switch to turn on it’s built-in wireless adapter, this is not turned on. Please ensure this is switched on. Note, on some laptops this needs to done manually every time the machine is turned on.
- Your wireless adapter may have been physically damaged and will no longer work. Replace the adapter with a new one.
- Viruses or spy-ware are disrupting your computer and preventing it from functioning normally , including maintaining the wireless connection. Ensure your protection is up-to-date and run a full scan on your computer.
- You have inadvertently allowed your firewall to block your connection to the internet. Switch your firewall off for a minute and check if your connection is now working. Please then switch it back on.