Some WiFi Networks Not Detected on My Laptop

Question

Some WiFi Networks Not Detected on My Laptop

Anonymous

Hello, I am in desperate need of help. My laptop is not able to detected some WiFi networks. It will show many other WiFi connections available but not the ones I need (eg. in my own apartment or a friend's apartment or school etc.).

I've tried many things and nothing has fixed it. It is also hard because it does detect other Networks, only some don't show, so it is not as easy to narrow down. At my boyfriend's place, for example, my computer can find the 2.4G connection but not the 5G connection. He suggested it might be a protocol issue, meaning it's a hardware issue really. I really hope there's a solution that does not require a new laptop.

Here is my computer information:

System

Model: Lenovo Yoga 2

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4500U CPU @ 1.80GHz 2.4GHz

System Processor: 64-bit OS, x64-based processor

Network Adapter Wi-Fi Driver Infromation

Description: Intel(R) Wireless-N 7260

Driver Provider: Intel; Driver Date: 2019-04-29; Driver Version 18.33.17.1

Manufacturer: Intel Corporation

Provider: Microsoft

Version: 17.15.0.5

Instance Status Flags: 0x180200a

Device Manager Status Code: 0

IfType: 71

Physical Media Type: 9

I can provide more information if needed.

Here is what I've tried already:

1. Turning the WiFi connection on and off/Turning the computer on and off.

2. Updating my WiFi adapter driver. (While at it I updated other drivers as well.)

**3.**Control Panel -> All Control Panels -> Troubleshooting -> All Categories -> Network Adapter -> Advanced -> follow the troubleshooting steps. The only issue found was that I don't have a default wifi selected.

4. command prompt -> netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt; ipconfig /release; ipconfig /renew

The first command (netsh ...) Reset got OK ! on most items, but at the end there are about 12 items that just show *Resetting , OK!*so it is hard to tell what is resetting. One of those said Resetting , failed. Access is denied. So there is that.

- Both the release and renew commands say No operation can be performed on <name> while it has its media disconnected.

I restarted the pc regardless to see if the issue was resolved and it was not.

**5.**Device Manager -> Network Adapter -> Intel(R) Wireless-N 7260 and uninstall the driver. Then I went to Windows PowerShell restart-computer -force and watched if the issue got resolved. The driver was back and available in the device manager but the WiFi that I am looking for is still not detected. (It's worth mentioning now that I am able to access/see/connect to this WiFi from two other laptops and two other phones. I really think this issue is specific to my computer or that the issue is in my computer.

I don't know what else to try. I saw a post about installing some troubleshooter and all but it seemed sketchy and unofficial so I want to avoid those routes and rather ask here first. I would like to avoid having to completely hard reset my computer since backing it up would be a huge pain at the moment. Is there anything else I can try?

Thank you for any advice.

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

Hi Theresa. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator. If you will work with me I will be here to help until the issue is resolved.

For a laptop you can use a small nano USB Wifi adapter like this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G92W7ST/ref=sspa_d...

I have a year old Dell laptop I like a lot which doesn't have 5g which I found out using the same method I gave you which got the same results you did. But when I added a similar adapter to it the speed difference wasn't that great, so you'll have to compare to know for sure.

Greg

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3 additional answers

Answer 1

Hi Greg,

you're a lifesaver. Thank you.

Not once have I considered that my laptop simply doesn't support 5G. Before searching for adapters, I ended up going back to the WiFi router and saw that it also has a 2G option, it just wasn't enabled. I enabled it and now I'm able to connect to WiFi in my own home :) (the 2G one, but oh well). Thank you SO much! I will look into buying a USB WiFi adapter since this is something I will likely encounter in the future where I can't change the router settings.

Again,

thank you so much! This problem has occupied so much of my time.

I am beyond grateful.

Theresa

Answer 2

Hi Greg, thank you so much for getting back so fast.

I've tried the first thing on the list, checking for 5G support.

Radio types supported returned: 802.11b 802.11g 802.11n

In the device manager under network adapters, I was not able to find any line that would end with or include AGN, ABGN, or 1NG. Does this mean that 5G is not supported? If so, is there a way to update the device such that it can? I know how to add cards to an actual computer but this is a PC so I wouldn't know how to change or update any hardware myself.

Theresa

Answer 3

Hi Theresa. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator. If you will work with me I will be here to help until the issue is resolved.

If the device doesn't support 5g it won't detect it. See how to determine this:

https://buffered.com/blog/check-computer-suppor...

I'll give you everything that works to fix Wifi so that at least something will work. Even if you've already tried a step please try or check it again in sequence. If you need any assistance I'll be standing by here to help:

Update your network adapter drivers from the PC maker's Support Downloads web page using the full model number, HP Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

If you have the latest network driver then try on it's Driver tab also to Roll Back, or Uninstall and then restart PC to reinstall the driver. Try also all older drivers from Update Driver > Browse > Let Me Pick list working backwards.

Go to Device Manager > Network Adapters, select Wifi adapter, then Power Management tab, clear the check box to "Allow the computer to turn off the device to save energy." Then on the Advanced tab disable any energy-saving options.

If this was caused by Windows Updates then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Installed Updates, then uninstall them from the link there, and hide with the Hide Updates tool explained here:

https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta...

You can also use System Restore to get before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them.

If this was caused by Version update then you can roll it back in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and then hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool.

For Wifi won't connect issues after Version 1903:

https://windows101tricks.com/fix-wifi-keeps-dis...

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/wi-fi-and-...

https://pureinfotech.com/fix-wifi-problems-wind...

Enable IPv6 in the network adapter settings:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/90033-enabl...

Run the fixit from https://support.microsoft.com/help/929852 (Re-enable IPv6 on all nontunnel interfaces) and reboot.

Right click the network icon in System Tray at bottom right end of task bar to Troubleshoot Problems.

Try all of these steps:

Fix network connection issues in Windows - Windows Help

https://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-reset-network-...

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WIfi > Manage Known Networks, highlight and remove the network having problems, restart PC to see if it shows up again.

Try plugging in by ethernet cable to the router to compare, then plug the ethernet cable into the modem (if separate) to see if this might be an issue with the router.

Try powering off modem, router and PC and then restarting in that order with 1 minute in between each. You may need to reset your router or even optimize it following these steps:

https://www.lifewire.com/resetting-a-home-netwo...

https://www.pcmag.com/article/258865/how-to-set...

Your router manual is always available from the manufacturer's website for your exact model.

You also are entitled to Support from your internet provider to get online on all devices. This is always included in the monthly bill. If your router is less than a year old they will also Support getting it connected and optimized.

Another option is you could replace the wireless adapter with an inexpensive USB nano adapter like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/OURLiNK-600Mbps-Wireless...

If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, and is also the most stable method to advance to the latest version. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I resolved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

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Some WiFi Networks Not Detected on My Laptop

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