Laptop computer wi-fi issue
 

I haven't used my laptop in a few days but it stays plugged in and in sleep mode . Yesterday I took it out of sleep mode and tried to surf but it wouldn't connect to wi-fi �� . I tried rebooting but didn't help . I powered it down and left it unplugged overnight. Fired it up this morning and same issue , when trying to connect it spins for a bit and say's connection failed .

I ran Windows Network Diagnostics and there was one problem found : problem with wireless adapter or access point . All TV's in the house use Roku wireless devices and they work . My wife's phone and mine are both working via wi-fi so there doesn't appear to be an issue with the internet or our wi-fi router. Signal strength looks solid . Any suggestions on what is wrong or what else I can try ?

I will add I have an adapter plugged into the outlet near the router that sends a wi-fi signal through the house wiring to provide a signal to my detached garage . That is currently not working , I have unplugged to reboot but no worky �� . Coincidence ? Not sure . Help please �� and talk to me as the 63 year old that I am ��

Does your WiFi network appear in a list over available networks? Click on it and chose "connect".

Also, many people inadvertently shut down WiFi as button is often hidden on the laptop. Sometimes it is a button with LED, sometime it is simple switch on the side.

I have let the computer try to connect automatically and manually . Same results it just says did not connect . To my knowledge there is no override button on the older Toshiba . Thanks for trying 😊

Good call, lots of laptops have buttons or switches (often small and practically hidden) to disable the adapter.

What version of Windows?

If you try to connect, does your laptop "see" any SSIDs (wireless networks)?

If you pull up wifi do you get a list that probably includes your network, your neighbors networks, etc...? If you do get a list, then your adapter should be enabled. If you don't get a list at all, then something is probably disabled.

If you do get a list and your adapter is enabled, then you could try "forgetting" the network and then connecting again and re-entering the password for your wifi network.

At my former office, we sometimes had to turn off every device connected to the network in the building, and restart the modem, and the router, then fir up the computers one at a time. That was the only cure for occasional issues.

Does your phone "see" the wifi network? If the computer is not seeing the network, it might be the router.

If you're on Windows 10, do you get a list like this?

https://www.windowscentral.com/sites...windows-10.jpg

Yes when I click on available networks there is a list from my neighbors and ours which is at the top of the list . When I dive into wi-fi specifics I see all the SSID numbers and all the other jargon , but it also says " not connected " . I will try and delete and reapply with the password and see what happens . Thanks

Mine did that - it wouldn't work until I connected via cable and got the latest Win 10 update.

Yes, delete and re-apply the password. If that does not fix it, reboot your router and try again.

The issue might be outside of your laptop. The router might "hang" and still advertise SSID but not be able to accept connections.

Weird, interesting and good info. Maybe that's what he's running into.

Yes

So in " settings " there is a network reset option , I did the reset and the computer shut down/restarted as part of the procedure . Went to my WiFi list and picked mine . It then asked for network password and I typed that in . Went to connect and got " can't connect to this network " message .

When viewing hardware and connection properties I see there are IPv4 and IPv6 addresses but under conectivity it says disconnected . I will next try rebooting the WiFi router . My wife tried connecting her laptop with the same results .

My laptop originally came with Windows 7 , when Windows was offering the free upgrade I did so am currently running version 10 . And yes both our phones see a wifi network .......... I assume it's ours but don't know for sure . But the TV's are working and they stream via wi-fi Roku devices . I am rural so all the wi-fi near me is neighbors and they are all locked out .

I just checked our phones , both are seeing/using our wi-fi network .

Definitely router issue then.

While I agree with this conclusion why are our cell phones and TV's working ?

Do you want a short or long answer?

Short answer: because they already have a working connection established.

Long answer: routers using certain combination of firmware/hardware have a bug that will keep alive current connections but not be able to do a handshake with new devices. Happens often to QCA9558 devices on 2.4GHz.

Just reboot the router. And try to use 5GHz if possible.

I rebooted the router and no difference on my laptop . However my wife's automatically started Windows updates . I assume that can't happen without a network connection . I went back into settings on mine and can't see anything wrong other than can't connect and not connected messages . At this point I am stumped . Our phones and TV's working fine after router reboot but they were working before .

Connect via wire and see if there is an update to fix the last update.

My wife's laptop apparently was trying to load an update that must have been in storage/memory because her's won't connect either . I will have to look around to see if I have a cable to do a hardwire .