Cannot see own wireless network but can see others around me

Hi PeterY61,

I'm Louie, an Independent Advisor and a fellow Windows 10 user like you. Hope you're doing well and safe there. I'm sorry that you're having trouble with your network connection.

I would suggest first you to run network troubleshooter, use these steps:

Open Settings.

Click on Update & Security.

Click on Troubleshoot.

Under the "Recommended troubleshooting" section, click the Additional troubleshooters option.

Under the "Get up and running" section, select the Internet Connections troubleshooter.

Quick note: On Windows 10 version 1909 and earlier, the option is available within the Troubleshoot page.

Click the Run the troubleshooter button.

Select the Troubleshoot my connection to the Internet option.

Select the Try these repairs as an administrator option (if applicable).

Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).

After you complete the steps, the troubleshooter will run and fix any connectivity issues.

In the case that the troubleshooter is unable to resolve the problem, you should try resetting the TCP/IP stack and clearing any DNS information on Windows 10.

To reset the network stack with Command Prompt, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to reset the component that handles network requests and press Enter:

netsh winsock reset

4. Type the following command to reset the internet protocol stack and press Enter:

netsh int ip reset

5. Type the following command to clear the current networking configuration and press Enter:

ipconfig /release

6. Type the following command to reconfigure the network settings and press Enter:

ipconfig /renew

7. Type the following command to clear the DNS information cached and press Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

8. Restart your computer.

Once you complete the steps, launch the web browser and confirm the internet is working.

If the steps above still doesn't work, reset all the network adapters, use these steps:

Open Settings.

Click on Network & Internet.

Click on Status.

Under the "Advanced network settings" section, click the Network reset option.

Click the Reset now button.

Click the Yes button.

After you complete the steps, the computer will restart automatically, and on reboot, you should now be able to connect to the internet.

The tool will reset all the network adapters installed on your computer to their factory defaults, which means that you'll need to re-enter the password to connect to a wireless network. Also, you'll need to reconfigure other networking software, such as VPN clients, if applicable.

I also would recommend you to follow the solutions provided on the links below and see if it works:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/help/10741/...

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-regain-inter...

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products often classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Louie

Hi PeterY61 ,

try these options:

1) Uninstall / reinstall the wi-fi adapter by following this procedure:

https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/how-to-reinstall-wi-fi-driver-on-windows-10-easily/ 

**NOTE:**This is a non Microsoft website. The page appears to provide accurate and secure information. Beware of ads on the site that may advertise products often classified as PUPs (potentially unwanted products).

Ignore advertising tips, do not use third-party driver installation programs.

2) Try changing the driver by looking for it on your computer:

1. Go to Device Manager> Network Adapters, right click on your network adapter> Update Driver.
2. Select "Search my computer for drivers"
3. Select "Choose from a list of drivers available on your computer"
4. Windows will propose 2 or more compatible drivers for the network adapter in use, select a driver other than the one currently in use> Next. The driver will be installed automatically. Restart the PC.

Otherwise, download and reinstall the latest driver version available from the pc manufacturer's website

Hi,

I had exactly the same problem. I solved it by going in to my router (login as admin) and changed the wireless mode from 802.11ax to to another one such as 802.11b+g+n

Hi Louie,

No, just my home laptop. My work laptop can see it and connect to it. My partner's two laptops and her smartphone can see it and connect to it. (I don't have a smartphone)

I've already tried shutting off the modem and the router and then turned them back on and that hasn't helped either

Hi Louis,

I tried pretty well everything mentioned above, but no luck, see below results from your directions, I bolded the Result heading, and a few statements below that looked significant:

First, run network troubleshooter

Result: Troubleshooting couldn't identify the problem

Second, try resetting the TCP/IP stack and clearing any DNS information on Windows 10.

Results:

netsh winsock reset

Sucessfully reset the Winsock Catalog.

You must restart the computer in order to complete the reset.

4. Type the following command to reset the internet protocol stack and press Enter:

netsh int ip reset

C:\WINDOWS\system32>netsh int ip reset

Resetting Compartment Forwarding, OK!

Resetting Compartment, OK!

Resetting Control Protocol, OK!

Resetting Echo Sequence Request, OK!

Resetting Global, OK!

Resetting Interface, OK!

Resetting Anycast Address, OK!

Resetting Multicast Address, OK!

Resetting Unicast Address, OK!

Resetting Neighbor, OK!

Resetting Path, OK!

Resetting Potential, OK!

Resetting Prefix Policy, OK!

Resetting Proxy Neighbor, OK!

Resetting Route, OK!

Resetting Site Prefix, OK!

Resetting Subinterface, OK!

Resetting Wakeup Pattern, OK!

Resetting Resolve Neighbor, OK!

Resetting , OK!

Resetting , OK!

Resetting , OK!

Resetting , OK!

Resetting , failed.

Access is denied.

Resetting , OK!

Resetting , OK!

Resetting , OK!

Resetting , OK!

Resetting , OK!

Resetting , OK!

Resetting , OK!

Restart the computer to complete this action.

5. Type the following command to clear the current networking configuration and press Enter:

ipconfig /release

Windows IP Configuration

No operation can be performed on Wi-Fi while it has its media disconnected.

No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection* 1 while it has its media disconnected.

No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection* 2 while it has its media disconnected.

No operation can be performed on Bluetooth Network Connection while it has its media disconnected.

Ethernet adapter Ethernet:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c4e7:255f:d401:16bb%8

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

---

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 1:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 2:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

6. Type the following command to reconfigure the network settings and press Enter:

ipconfig /renew

Windows IP Configuration

No operation can be performed on Wi-Fi while it has its media disconnected.

No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection* 1 while it has its media disconnected.

No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection* 2 while it has its media disconnected.

No operation can be performed on Bluetooth Network Connection while it has its media disconnected.

Ethernet adapter Ethernet:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c4e7:255f:d401:16bb%8

IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 10.10.10.146

Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 10.10.10.1

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

---

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 1:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 2:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

7. Type the following command to clear the DNS information cached and press Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

Windows IP Configuration

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

8. Restart your computer.

Did all the above. Still cannot see my wireless network.

Third, If the steps above still doesn't work, reset all the network adapters, use these steps:

Result: Followed the steps and still cannot see my wireless network.

I went to Settings -> Network & Internet -> Status ->"View hardware and connection properties" and this is what I see:

Name: Ethernet

Description: Qualcomm Atheros AR8161 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (NDIS 6.30)

Physical address (MAC): d8:cb:8a:82:8c:7b

Status: Operational

Maximum transmission unit: 1500

Link speed (Receive/Transmit): 1000/1000 (Mbps)

DHCP enabled: Yes

DHCP servers: 10.10.10.1

DHCP lease obtained: ‎June ‎27, ‎2021 8:26:16 AM

DHCP lease expires: ‎June ‎28, ‎2021 8:26:16 AM

IPv4 address: 10.10.10.146/24

IPv6 address: fe80::8491:149c:3aba:6426%8/64

Default gateway: 10.10.10.1

DNS servers: 10.10.10.1

Network name: Network

Network category: Public

Connectivity (IPv4/IPv6): Connected to Internet / Connected to unknown network

Name: Wi-Fi

Description: Realtek RTL8723AE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC

Physical address (MAC): 28:c2:dd:e9:d5:cb

Status: Not operational

Maximum transmission unit: 1500

IPv4 address: 169.254.246.225/16

IPv6 address: fe80::54b4:327:9674:f6e1%7/64

DNS servers: fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1

Connectivity (IPv4/IPv6): Disconnected

Name: Local Area Connection* 9

Description: Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter

Physical address (MAC): 28:c2:dd:e9:d5:cb

Status: Not operational

Maximum transmission unit: 1500

IPv4 address: 169.254.155.130/16

IPv6 address: fe80::d18e:47d9:3526:9b82%31/64

DNS servers: fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1

Connectivity (IPv4/IPv6): Disconnected

Name: Local Area Connection* 10

Description: Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter #2

Physical address (MAC): 28:c2:dd:e9:d5:cb

Status: Not operational

Maximum transmission unit: 1500

IPv4 address: 169.254.41.71/16

IPv6 address: fe80::89aa:c4d8:3ee0:2947%36/64

DNS servers: fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1

Connectivity (IPv4/IPv6): Disconnected

Name: Bluetooth Network Connection

Description: Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)

Physical address (MAC): 28:c2:dd:ea:2a:6a

Status: Not operational

Maximum transmission unit: 1500

IPv4 address: 169.254.136.197/16

IPv6 address: fe80::c0eb:c083:5f59:88c5%6/64

DNS servers: fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1

Connectivity (IPv4/IPv6): Disconnected

It seems to me it's the Realtek Network Wireless adapter that's the problem. What do you think?

Thanks,

Peter