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Question

Windows can't connect to internet.

Apr 23, 2017 7:17AM PDT

So, I am back to my parents for some time and I can't connect on their wifi. In my apartment I was using LAN cable and internet was working fine. Here I wanted to use wifi, because my room is too far from router. When enable that type of network and try to connect I get message that Windows is unable to connect (signal strength is very good - 4 of 5). Than I moved my pc just to try with LAN cable and it is working correctly. When I try to use wifi and I go to device manager it says that Wifi adapter is working correctly.

Also I have to say that I was using wifi adapter before when I was coming to parents and everything was working good before.

Also at the same time I have another problem. When I have enabled wifi adapter and I start my laptop, monitor after maybe 10 seconds goes to sleep. So, monitor goes to sleep before windows is started.

For me is not logic to this 2 things are connected somehow, but problems started at the same time and only when I try to connect via wifi. When I am using LAN, laptop starts and reboot normally.

I hope that someone have some idea.

I also tried to reset router, restart router, unplug router, and that is not working.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: WiFi
Apr 23, 2017 7:50AM PDT

If everything in Device Manager and the wireless settings is fine, and it still doesn't work, the next step is to try a USB dongle to connect wirelessly, in stead of the built-in WiFi hardware.

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Can wifi adapter lose his strength or range?
Apr 30, 2017 1:23PM PDT

After few days of attempting everything, I today reinstalled Windows, updated drivers and finally i was unable to connect via wifi. But that was in room where is router. After I went with laptop to my room I wasn't able anymore to be connected. Simply when I click to connect it says that Windows was unable to connect.

As I said, I used before wifi in that same room. Now I can't. I will for sure buy USB wifi adapter, but I just want to ask. Is it possible that wifi adapter lose his range or strength? I mean for me is so strange that I could connect before in my room and now I can't. And signal strength is excellent (4 of 5 bars).

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with age it can
Apr 30, 2017 1:35PM PDT

there are Wi-Fi analyzer apps for smartphones. You can use one and test the wifi signal around the house and in the room where you cannot get one. first do that if you have a smartphone before messing around with settings and buying new adapters.

as far as wifi adapters losing strength or range, it can depending on the age. also you can have interference from other signals from microwaves to speakers to neighbors wifi.

you are not clear about one thing, are you using a usb wifi adaptor or using the laptops? if using a usb, what is the model number?

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Laptops wifi adapter
Apr 30, 2017 1:46PM PDT

I am using laptops wifi adapter. It's old adapter, because laptop is also 4 or 5 years old.

It's 802.11bgn 1T1R mini card wireless adapter.

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Answer
Be sure to test that it works at other hotspots.
Apr 23, 2017 7:58AM PDT

It's a common test I use.

Remember you should not be able to connect to WiFi when the Ethernet cable is plugged in as well as other scenarios where the owner has hardcoded the IP addresses. Unless you tell me otherwise I assume the settings are stock Windows. That is, obtain an address automatically.

There are cases where the router and laptop are incompatible. Examples are out there where the laptop is set to USA (region) and the router is on channel 14. Another is where the router firmware has a bug and was never updated. Then you have routers where the owner read articles on securing their WiFi and you get to add MAC addresses or whatever is needed.

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Answer
Wifi
Apr 23, 2017 12:47PM PDT

If there is another machine that uses wifi and it works, compare your wifi settings to the working machine.