Laptop can't see network (but everything else can)

[addey]

I've just changed my broadband provider today and got a new router (TP-Link C6). Had no problems connecting phones, TV's, tablets etc. but when I go to the wifi settings on my laptop it can't see either of the the new networks (2.4G or 5G). All the neighbour's networks are there but no sign of mine! Laptop is a few years old (Dell Inspiron) but not exactly archaic. Any thoughts on how to resolve this? I can connect using an ethernet cable so it is simply not seeing the wifi networks for some reason. I can even set my phone as a hotspot and connect to that!

[340600]

First thing I would do is download and install the latest drivers for your wireless card - via the Dell website, not Device Manager.

Failing that, you might need to change the channel your wi-fi network is broadcasting on in the router's admin interface. inSSIDer is a good bit of software to find lesser-used channels to pick from.

ETA: I'd also try deleting your old wi-fi profiles in Network & Internet settings (depending on your version of Windows). In fact, try this first.

Edited by 340600 on Tuesday 2nd June 17:15

[klootzak]

The other thing you might want to try is giving your 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz networks different names (if they don't already have them).

I've had a similar problem with laptops and phones using older chips/firmware for WiFi not being able to cope with two networks sharing the same name so ignoring both.

k

[addey]

Thanks for the replies. I have updated the drivers via Dell and renamed the 2.4G/5G networks (they were the same, except the 5G had _5G tagged on the end) and neither has helped. Not sure how to change the wifi channels, I have an app for my router (TP-link) but can't find any way of doing it. Waiting to hear back from my new broadband provider to see if they have any suggestions. To be honest my wife will be happy if it stays like this as the laptop will have to stay on the ethernet on the desk so I won't be on the laptop in the living room all the time

[Hashtaggggg]

is wifi turned on.on the laptop?

[xeny]

You mention phones, TV's, tablets etc..

I presume the laptop is running Windows 10 - do you have any other Windows 10 devices successfully connected?

[addey]

Yes wifi is definitely on! Laptop is running windows 10, don't have anything else windows 10 to try unfortunately. I currently have my phone and a TV (Roku stick thing) connected on 2.4G and my wife's phone on 5G. So i know both networks are enabled and working but for some reason the laptop can't see them!

[Mr Pointy]

Have you tried removing the old wireless profile & then reconnecting it?
https://www.tp-link.com/uk/support/faq/918/

[xeny]

addey said:

Yes wifi is definitely on! Laptop is running windows 10, don't have anything else windows 10 to try unfortunately. I currently have my phone and a TV (Roku stick thing) connected on 2.4G and my wife's phone on 5G. So i know both networks are enabled and working but for some reason the laptop can't see them!

Check the networks have WPA2 encryption as the choosen method - 10 can be picky about other encryption options.

If you've got a friend with a Win 10 laptop, I wonder if it's worth seeing if they can connect from the a suitably socially distanced location in the garden, and see if it's a router <->windows 10 issue, or a router <-> that particular laptop issue.

[blueg33]

If you connect to the router with a cable can the laptop see the network? I have a bizare and similar issue to you with a BT homehub, after connecting via a cable. it could see the wifi once the cable was disconnected,

[addey]

Well I've finally managed to sort it! I have been trying all the things suggested above (thank you) but I think the solution was turning on 'smart connect' in the router settings which "allows your mobile device to automatically switch connection to the wifi band that provides the fastest speed". I'm not sure why that has worked but it has

[Ham_and_Jam]

addey said:

Well I've finally managed to sort it! I have been trying all the things suggested above (thank you) but I think the solution was turning on 'smart connect' in the router settings which "allows your mobile device to automatically switch connection to the wifi band that provides the fastest speed". I'm not sure why that has worked but it has

Could possibly have been sat in a congested channel. As previously mentioned, the best option was to use a wifi scanner and see which channel has the least use, and manually switch to that one.

The smart connect option seems to be doing that for you automatically. Hopefully should be OK for you, as long as it doesn’t switch too often causing disconnection issues.