Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

One laptop cannot connect to home network when others can

Mar 20, 2016 8:13AM PDT

I have a Dell Latitute E5530 laptop that won't connect to my secured home SSID. I have 2 other laptops connected to it wireless, plus phones, plus 2 TV's (via a Roku and a Chromecast). I thought there might be a limit to what I can connect (i.e., 5 devices), however I brought home a 2nd laptop from work and that connected with no issue while the Dell Latitude still cannot. I don't even get the option to type in the Password Key, it simply says "Cannot connect to the network". I'm able to connect to an unsecured network with this same machine, no problem. I've tried reset the network adapter, I'm just stumped at this as to why this computer won't connect.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Me too.
Mar 20, 2016 8:31AM PDT

It was our very old XP machine. We factory restored it and it won't connect. Turns out that we needed to update the WiFi driver after the OS was updated. Confirmed.

- Collapse -
Try these steps for error cant connect to home network
Mar 21, 2016 8:57AM PDT
- Collapse -
Older Comps May Not Have Options for WPA/WPA2
Mar 22, 2016 12:12PM PDT

As Bob mentioned above, check the computer manufacturer's website for an updated wireless driver. If the older wireless driver doesn't support WPA/WPA2 password security in the router, then an updated driver might allow for a connection. If that doesn't work, then we fix the problem by purchasing an inexpensive external USB wireless adapter dongle, disable the old wireless adapter in device manager, then plug in the new USB device, install software if needed, and connect.

Hope this helps.

Grif