network connectivity

Question

I have a Netgear RS600 (6E) router with an older R7000p running off that for a second network

all of a sudden the RS600 will not connect to my windows laptop running windows 11 pro updated first ; with the .net preview and cumulative update preview

then with the windows 25H2 repair version installed. my wireless adapter is Intel(R) Wireless-AC 9260 160MHz driver version 24.10.0.4

I have checked the Intel site and it is the latest driver.

I have disabled and re-enabled adapter several times. I have unplugged and re started both routers.

I have always had issues with the network for RS600 as every time I try to connect I would get one rejection saying it couldn't connect but a second try always connected.

Everything was working until the first preview updates. there is nothing wrong with adapter as it connects to the R7000P network just fine. The RS600 connects to my phone, iPad and MacBook with no issues

the only difference that I see is the RS600 is wpa3 security vs wpa2 for the R7000p. the RS600 network is visible and showing available

yet it will not connect. Another " BIG concern " I have is that absolutely every available network showing, has a checkmark next to connect automatically,

this to me means that someone could set up an unprotected no password network and my computer would automatically connect to it. I have attempted to

change but it always reverts to checking them all.

Again the issue is with the Netgear RS600 wi-fi 6e router not connecting to my windows laptop.

connects to my phone, iPad and MacBook with no issues

my r7000p running off of it has no issues and connects right away.

thanks for any help you can give me

Answer 1

Hi there! My name is David. It’s a pleasure to help you today.

The issue may be due to incomplete compatibility of the Intel AC 9260 wireless network adapter with WPA3 in Windows 11.

What I would suggest is trying to configure your RS600 router to allow WPA2/WPA3 (Mixed/Transition) mode. This way, some devices will use WPA2 and those that support it will use WPA3.

You can check how to perform this configuration by requesting assistance from your router’s manufacturer.

After making the configuration on your router, delete the network from your PC and reconnect from scratch.

Go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wi‑Fi > Manage known networks, then find your router’s network and click on Forget.

Regarding your question: the “connect automatically” option is only used for already saved networks, meaning the system will not automatically connect to an unknown network unless you have previously connected to it.

Let me know if the shared information has been helpful. Regards.

Answer 2

It seems that you're experiencing connectivity issues with your Netgear RS600 router specifically when trying to connect your Windows 11 laptop, while other devices connect without problems. Since the RS600 uses WPA3 security and your R7000P uses WPA2, this could be a factor in the connection issue, as not all devices support WPA3.

Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:

1. Check Compatibility: Ensure that your Intel(R) Wireless-AC 9260 adapter supports WPA3. If it does not, you may need to change the security settings on the RS600 to WPA2 to establish a connection.
2. Update Network Drivers: You mentioned that your drivers are up to date, but it may be worth checking if there are any specific updates or patches related to Windows 11 that address connectivity issues with WPA3.
3. Forget and Reconnect: On your laptop, go to the Wi-Fi settings, forget the RS600 network, and then try reconnecting to it. This can sometimes resolve connection issues.
4. Network Reset: Consider performing a network reset on your Windows laptop. This can help resolve any underlying configuration issues that might be affecting your ability to connect to the RS600.
5. Router Settings: Access the RS600 router settings and check for any firmware updates. Additionally, review the security settings to see if changing from WPA3 to WPA2 temporarily helps with the connection.
6. Check Automatic Connection Settings: Regarding the automatic connection checkmarks, you can manage your Wi-Fi settings in Windows to prevent automatic connections to networks you do not want to connect to. You can do this by going to the Wi-Fi settings and adjusting the settings for each network.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to consult the router's documentation or contact Netgear support for further assistance.

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References:

• Advanced troubleshooting wireless network connectivity
• Troubleshooting Wireless LAN Connections