network adapter not working?

Question

i have had my computer for a few years now and this is the first time something like this has happened.

last night i was connected to my router like usual then my internet connection just stopped working. after restarting the computer and hoping it would fix itself, i now can not find anything related to my network adapter. when i try to connect to the internet, it only allows me to do so using a ethernet cable. i go into my adapter settings and the only icon there is my "local area connection." i go into my device manager and under network adapters there is only my realtek pcie family controller. i can still print from my printer wirelessly. no matter what i do windows just tells me to connect my ethernet cable to my router for me to get internet. does anyone have any idea what i can do to get my wifi working to connect to my router?

i am running windows 7

my computer is a gateway dx4860

Answer 1

Hi Wally,

·         What is the make and model of Wireless network adapter and router?

·         Did you try resetting the router and check?

It seems to be an issue with the wireless network adapter drivers. You may download the wireless drivers from a different computer that has Internet Connection.

I would suggest you to disconnect the Wireless device and reconnect and then try updating the Network Adapter drivers and check if it works for you.

---

Method 1:

Try the steps in the following Microsoft Help article to setup wireless network.

Setting up a wireless network

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/setting-up-a-wireless-network

---

Method 2:

Update drivers from a the manufacturer's website or from Windows update and check if it helps. Follow the troubleshooting steps from this article and check if it helps:

Wired and wireless network problems

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows/network-connection-problem-help#network-problems=windows-7&v1h=win8tab1&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1&v4h=winxptab1

Hope this helps, if you need further assistance on Windows let us know we will be glad to help.

Answer 2

Hi Wally,

 

·         Are you able to print through wirelessly?

 

There might be a problem with your wireless network adapter. Since it’s not being detected in device manager as suggested by GTS-NJ I would suggest you to contact Gateway support for better assistance to fix the hardware related issue.

 

http://support.gateway.com/support/ask\_gateway.aspx?cmpid=supportnav

 

Hope this helps

yes i am about to print wirelessly with no problem from my desktop.

i think i will have to contact gateway and see what i can do.

Answer 3

Hi Wally,

 

There is no need to remove the computer. The wireless adapter must be inbuilt in the computer (Gateway dx4860). Hence, you cannot disconnect and reconnect it. I would suggest you to install the latest Wireless LAN drivers from this link and check it works.

 

http://support.gateway.com/product/default.aspx?modelId=3696

---

If the issue persist, follow the troubleshooting steps suggested form the article in method 2 from previous post and check if it helps.

 

Also check this support link from Gateway support site:

Problems with Wireless network

http://gateway-us.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a\_id/29464

 

Hope this information helps

thank you for the reply. i tried to use method 2 but it's not that i can not find my wireless router. it's that i can't even search for the router from my computer at all. i use to click on the wifi icon in my system tray and a pop up would show up with which network i can connect to. that button is now completely gone. i don't even have a option to click and try to choose a network. it only tells me to connect my ethernet cable. the router is broadcasting fine because everything else i use connects to it perfectly. i went into my device manager and i did not see a wireless network card option under network adapters.

i am downloading the drivers now from gateway and hope they will do something for me.

Answer 4

Hi Wally,

There is no need to remove the computer. The wireless adapter must be inbuilt in the computer (Gateway dx4860). Hence, you cannot disconnect and reconnect it. I would suggest you to install the latest Wireless LAN drivers from this link and check it works.

http://support.gateway.com/product/default.aspx?modelId=3696

---

If the issue persist, follow the troubleshooting steps suggested form the article in method 2 from previous post and check if it helps.

Also check this support link from Gateway support site:

Problems with Wireless network

http://gateway-us.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a\_id/29464

Hope this information helps

Answer 5

my router is an asus rt n53

i'm actually not sure what make and model my wireless adapter in my computer is. i can't find any information on it from my computer. it seems to just have disappeared.

i tried resetting the router and modem but it is still the same. my laptop and other wireless devices still connect fine to the router so it must be my computer.

the network adapter is inside my computer so to disconnect and reconnect i will have to open the computer up which is something i would want to avoid. 

internet works well when i connect using a ethernet to the router.

i will try the methods listed.

Hi Wally,

 

 

·         What is the make and model of Wireless network adapter and router?

·         Did you try resetting the router and check?

 

 

It seems to be an issue with the wireless network adapter drivers. You may download the wireless drivers from a different computer that has Internet Connection.

 

 

I would suggest you to disconnect the Wireless device and reconnect and then try updating the Network Adapter drivers and check if it works for you.

---

 

Method 1:

Try the steps in the following Microsoft Help article to setup wireless network.

 

Setting up a wireless network

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/setting-up-a-wireless-network

---

 

Method 2:

Update drivers from a the manufacturer's website or from Windows update and check if it helps. Follow the troubleshooting steps from this article and check if it helps:

 

Wired and wireless network problems

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows/network-connection-problem-help#network-problems=windows-7&v1h=win8tab1&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1&v4h=winxptab1

 

 

Hope this helps, if you need further assistance on Windows let us know we will be glad to help.