The laptop does not see the access point. The computer does not see the required wi-fi point

While developing wireless networks, developers came up with the wifi standard. This is when one or more computers connect to a wireless access point and access the Internet through it. Or through a router. Before finding out the reasons why the laptop does not see wifi, we think it would be logical to learn something about this technology.

How should the term be understood correctly?

When we ask ourselves why the laptop does not see wifi, we mean that there is no Internet network. In truth, this is not entirely true. It’s just that wifi is and if a device is equipped with it, then it is certified to work in these networks, that is, it is a guarantor of normal functioning for the intended purposes. Just as there are copiers from Xerox, and there are copiers from other suppliers. However, out of habit, people call any paper multiplier a “copier”.

WiFi equipment

Among most devices for wireless access, two categories of equipment can be distinguished: “access point” and There is also an extended access point - a multifunctional wifi device.

The hardware of the equipment is similar, it differs in the firmware and, as a result, in the quality of work. If you have problems with the network and you think that the laptop does not see the wi-fi router, then the problem is not always in the machine itself. The router firmware may be flawed, which causes unstable communication with the access point.

The optimal choice of equipment with high-quality software should include:

Reputation of the manufacturer (branded models are less likely to glitch).
Careful study of even top-class models. It is recommended to have a review with a specialist.

How to connect to wifi. Connection setup

One way is to use the services of cable network providers, and then install wifi equipment on the wired connection.

The next option is to connect through the appropriate access point on the provider’s local network, if such a service is provided by them.

The access point is a hardware radio wave amplifier with the function of receiving and transmitting content. A radio signal of the wifi standard arrives from the PC, which is received by it. The signal is unified for equipment from different manufacturers, which allows you to avoid developing thoughts like “the laptop doesn’t see wifi, it’s probably because my equipment is incompatible with the access center.”

Connecting wifi in windows xp via laptop

Step-by-step setup is discussed below.

Enable with a hardware button or key combination (depending on the model). In this case, as a rule, the indicator light should light up - a light bulb indicating that the receiver is turned on.
For some laptop models, enabling the wi-fi module is provided by special instructions regulating the procedure. If necessary, check whether this is the case in the relevant documentation.
If your receiver uses Wimax technology, you can configure this operating mode using special software.
Enable the wireless access service (right click on the My Computer icon - management - services and applications - services - wireless setup - start, if the service is not running).

If the laptop does not see the wifi router, and the system reports this, it means that most likely a special driver utility from the wifi equipment manufacturer is responsible for managing the wireless connection. Open “Network Neighborhood” - “view available wireless networks”.

If the operating system should take over the wifi management functions, you need to click on the phrase “Change advanced settings”. On the "wireless networks" tab, check the "Use Windows to configure the network" checkbox.

When you are in a free access area, for example, in an Internet cafe, all you have to do is connect to the nearest access point found and enjoy Internet access.

Connecting wirelessly to the Internet using a laptop can be difficult for a number of reasons, often unrelated to each other. To find the reason for the lack of signal, you should start by checking the router and Wi-Fi adapter, you can with 99% identify and solve the connection problem.

Checking the access point

First of all, check the status of the router; often the equipment simply freezes and requires a restart. Therefore, if you find an atypical indication of the router, turn it off for a couple of minutes and start it again.
If it was an internal hang, then turning it on again should resolve the problem and the laptop will again detect an available Wi-Fi network. If these actions do not lead to the expected result, it is worth checking the configuration of the access point.

Often, power surges and internal conflicts in the router lead to a reset, causing the device to lose not only wireless access, but also its Internet connection. This problem is solved by authorization on the router’s web interface at the following addresses:
192.168.1.1
192.168.0.1
Depending on the equipment model, the address is assigned, and login is carried out from any Internet browser. After the configuration page opens, check the settings and volume.

If the check shows that the settings have been reset to factory settings, you should configure the router (by yourself or with the help of specialists). Typically, after the reboot that follows the configuration, the laptop will find a new available Wi-Fi network. If these measures turned out to be insufficient, and the problem remains relevant, we check the laptop.

Checking the mobile computer

Our diagnosis of the problem reached a dead end at the stage of checking the access point, so we should look for a solution in the computer itself. And first, let's see if the network equipment is active. A number of laptop models have a function key that is used in combination with the “Fn” key; it controls the state of the Wi-Fi adapter, which can be displayed on the laptop body.

First, find the LEDs on the case, they are marked with graphic values (we are interested in “antenna” or the inscription “wi-fi”). If the indication is detected and is illuminated, the wireless adapter is turned on and is currently working. If the indication is missing or not lit, you can try to turn on the adapter. Find the “F1-12” key with the antenna icon in the top row, and press it while holding down “Fn”.

In addition, there is a possibility that the connection is disabled by software - using the operating system. To check, go to the “Control Panel” section, which is responsible for network settings (for Windows XP – “ ”; for Windows 7 – “Change adapter settings”). Make sure that “Wireless network connection" is active; if it is disabled, right-click and select the corresponding item from the context menu.

It may turn out that the network element is completely missing from the connection lists. This means that the hardware is not installed or not used in Windows. To check the functionality of the network adapter, you should open the “Device Manager”, and by opening the “Network adapters” item, find the wireless device. If you need to enable it, then clicking the “Enable” context item may require restarting the computer.
If the device is marked with an attention sign, then most likely the drivers are installed incorrectly or are missing altogether. Use the disk that came with your laptop and install the drivers first. They can also be found on the manufacturer’s official website using the model number of your computer.

P.S.

The problems described above are only some of the possible ones, the most common among ordinary users. Therefore, when looking for the cause and its further solution, it is worth starting from the individual characteristics of the situation.

Unfortunately, many of us have encountered a problem when the laptop stops finding a wireless network, which creates significant inconvenience. Considering that the laptop can be used outside the home, the user may be left without the Internet at all. There can be many reasons for this little pleasant moment. But, as a rule, the problem is technical, or it is a malfunction of the software. To understand how to deal with the problem, let's look at it in more detail.

In order to understand the causes of the problem and understand why the laptop does not find the WiFi router or home WiFi network, you need to know what WiFi is and understand how this wireless communication system works.

WiFi is the same as a local network, only without the need to lay a cable. Connection to the network occurs through a signal that is transmitted via radio waves. This system gained popularity not so long ago. A dozen years ago, no one knew about it, and the signal distance was much shorter. To be precise, the signal can be sent over a distance of 100 km.

In addition, WiFi is a registered brand that is developing very actively. In 2014, data transfer speeds via WiFi should increase to several Gbit/s.

To put it simply, this method of connecting to the network is now very popular. Almost every laptop has a built-in sensor that allows you to use a wireless network. At bus stops, in cafes or any other public places, owners install free access points, which increases the level of comfort of the establishment or public place.

The main reasons for the lack of WiFi

As mentioned above, the main reasons can be divided into technical and software. In the case of technical ones, the owner of a laptop will most likely have to contact a service center and spend money on repairing it. At best, figure out the reason for the poor performance of the router.

Availability of WiFi on laptop and router

It’s worth starting with the very basics, which can be forgotten due to haste or inattention.

Make sure that the receiving antenna is turned on. If the WiFi button does not work, then the problem is obvious. Not all laptop models have this switch, but some do have it. Most often it looks not like a button, but like a latch. However, it depends on the manufacturer. The switch may have a signature or image of an antenna, which indicates WiFi.

If there is no such button on your laptop model, then you need to pay attention to the bottom panel of the operating system, to the icon next to the time. The image should show whether the wireless connection is currently active.

It is possible that this icon on the panel next to the time is not there.

To check activity without using this icon, you need to:

Checking available networks

The next thing to do is check the available networks. Perhaps the router simply does not reach the laptop’s antenna and for this reason it is impossible to connect to the network.

To do this you need:

Click on the network icon in the lower right corner, on the bottom panel, next to the time.
Select “Connect to a network” and select the desired access point. Most likely, there will be more than one access point, since you can see neighbors or some other routers. But, in most cases, a password is placed on the access point, thus protecting it from unauthorized users.

Video: What to do if your ASUS laptop cannot find Wi-Fi

The laptop does not see the WiFi network: the main reasons

Why doesn't my laptop see the WiFi network? Perhaps the solution to the problem is right in front of you and only takes five seconds of your time. But there are also more severe cases. Let's look at the most common options.

Router

It is worth making sure that the router is turned on. Its operation can be easily determined by indicator lights. After connecting, look at the corresponding icons in the instructions for the router and determine whether it is active.

If the router does not respond at all, then the problem is purely technical. In this situation, you should look for a problem in the wires, power supply, or take the router for repair. As a rule, it is easier to replace the router with a new one than to send it to service centers for inspection.

Drivers

As you know, any equipment requires software that guarantees stable operation. If the laptop does not detect WiFi, then you should check the drivers. Even if they are installed, it is recommended to update them.

You can check drivers through the control panel. In the “device manager” section there is a line “network adapters”, which should contain the name of the router if the problem is with the drivers. Right-click on it and look at the driver version. Compare it with the real version, which can be found on the Internet.

If the version is outdated, then download a new one and install. It is best to download from official sources. Drivers for hardware are distributed by developers free of charge, and there is no point in risking the “health” of your operating system in vain.

Signal distance

If, after searching for a network, the answer appears: “No connections available,” think about the signal. In apartments, this option is not very relevant, since modern routers have a strong signal and distribute it quite far. But in private homes or other places where the distance can be quite large, the signal simply may not reach the laptop. Therefore, you should not be surprised if the Internet suddenly disappeared while you were walking around the house or yard.

Mac address

There are situations when I was able to connect, but the router does not see the Internet through my WiFi or has stopped seeing it. When using services from some providers, the user cannot simply change the network adapter, since the Mac address changes.

The Mac address is written on each router and the user just needs to call the operator to bind a new address to replace the old one. You may be asked to dictate it in full or to specify only the last few values of the entire number.

Antivirus or third party programs

Third-party programs installed on a laptop may conflict with drivers or interfere with the correct establishment of an Internet connection, which often happens when the device sees wifi but does not connect. In addition, sometimes antiviruses interfere with creating a connection. If possible, it is better to try connecting to the Internet without a router first. If everything is fine, then the programs are not to blame.

In addition to those listed, there can be many reasons. Basically, the variety of reasons is due to problems with the operating system. Therefore, if all else fails, try reinstalling your operating system. Perhaps all the problems come from here.

The laptop does not see the WIFI network on Windows7/Windows 8/WindowsXP

For those who are wondering why the laptop does not see wifi in Windows 7, first of all, you need to try manually turning on the wireless network.

To do this you need:

In Windows 8, activity is checked through the “PC Settings” item. Next, you need to select the “wireless connection” line and move the slider on the right side of the menu to the “On” state.

The wireless network when using Windows XP does not require manual activation and, as a rule, connects like Windows 7. It is enough to activate it through the control panel or through the wireless icon through the bottom panel of the system.

Video: how to create and configure a WI-FI network

How to set up a wireless network

For comfortable use of the network, some users resort to settings. Usually, standard settings are enough, but if you want, you can delve into your personal account. It is through your personal account that parameters are changed.

The login and password are specified by the router manufacturers, and you can find this data in the instructions. The address that will take you to your personal account is also indicated there. It is best to replace the default data so that no one can use it.

All other settings are made on the laptop itself, and they are installed using the Network Control Center.

WiFi without internet due to Windows

There are rare cases when the operating system itself does not want to detect a wireless connection and shows that there is no external network at all. This option may exist when using non-licensed OS. Some people prefer to use amateur assemblies, which do not load the system as much and allow you to squeeze more out of the hardware.

Another reason could be a clogged system. System folders, over time, become clogged with unnecessary files, and if defragmentation is not carried out, the processor will be increasingly overloaded. Antiviruses also cannot keep a laptop clean forever.

In any case, all problems with the OS can be solved by a simple reinstallation. After reinstalling Windows everything should work. Thus, the solution to the problem lies only in the functionality of the router, turned on WiFi on the laptop, or the presence of the necessary software. If these points are observed, WiFi will not present difficulties and will delight the user with stable operation.

A fairly common problem among owners of laptops with Windows 10, Windows 7 or 8 (8.1) - at one point in the notification area, instead of the usual wireless Wi-Fi connection icon, a red cross is displayed, and when you hover over it, a message stating that there are no available connections.

Moreover, in most cases, this happens on a completely working laptop - just yesterday, perhaps, you successfully connected to an access point at home, but today this is the situation. The reasons for this behavior may be different, but in general terms, the operating system believes that the Wi-Fi adapter is turned off, and therefore reports that there are no connections available. And now about ways to fix this.

If Wi-Fi has not been used on this laptop before, or you have reinstalled Windows

If you have never used wireless capabilities on this device before, and now you have installed a Wi-Fi router and want to connect and you are experiencing this problem, then first I recommend reading the article.

If your wireless network was working and now there are no connections available

If everything worked recently and now you have a problem, try the methods listed below in order. If you don't know how to complete steps 2-6, everything is described in great detail (will open in a new tab). And if these options have already been tried, go to the seventh point, from which I will begin to describe in detail (because everything is not so simple there for novice computer users).

Remove the wireless Wi-Fi adapter from device manager, install it again

To launch Windows Device Manager, press the Win+R keys on your laptop keyboard and enter the command devmgmt.msc, and then press Ok or Enter.

In Device Manager, open the “Network Adapters” section, right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter, see if there is an “Enable” item there (if there is, turn it on and do not do everything else that is described here, the message “No connections available” should appear) disappear) and if it is not there, select “Delete”.

After the device is removed from the system, in the device manager menu, select “Action” - “Update hardware configuration”. The wireless adapter will be found again, drivers will be installed on it and, perhaps, everything will work.

See if the WLAN AutoConfig service is enabled in Windows

In order to do this, go to the Windows control panel, select “Administration” - “Services”, find “WLAN Auto Configuration” in the list of services and, if you see “Disabled” in its parameters, double-click on it and in the field Set the “Startup Type” to “Automatic” and click the “Run” button.

Just in case, look through the list and if you find additional services that have Wi-Fi or Wireless in their name, turn them on too. And then, preferably, restart your computer.

Hopefully one of these methods will help you solve the problem where Windows says there are no Wi-Fi connections available.

The laptop does not connect to a wireless access point or refuses to see the local network - an extremely unpleasant situation that confuses users.

Troubleshooting a problem is often complicated by the fact that there is no way to go online and see how to fix the problem. To protect yourself from getting into a hopeless situation, it is recommended that you carefully read the possible causes of problems with a wireless or local connection, as well as ways to solve the problem.

Possible reasons:

Wi-Fi module is turned off.
The wireless network is disabled.
Drivers are not installed correctly.
Incorrect router settings.

As for problems with detecting a local network when a cable is connected, the reason often lies in mechanical damage to the wire or network card.

No access to Wi-Fi network

If the laptop does not see the wireless network, then the first thing you need to do is check whether the adapter is turned on on the laptop. Take a look at the row of keys F1-F12: on one of the keys there should be a designation of the antenna receiving the signal. Find this key and press it in combination with the Fn button - for example, Fn and F2.

Some laptop models use a hardware switch instead of hot keys, which is located in the front of the case. After pressing a keyboard shortcut or using a hardware switch, a message should appear indicating that Wi+Fi is on/off. Naturally, you need to put it in an active state.

But that's not all: sometimes the wireless connection in the system is turned off, while the adapter itself is working. To resolve this issue:

Open Network and Sharing Center.
Go to the "Change settings" section.
Find your wireless network and make sure it is working.

If the adapter is turned on, the wireless network is active, but you still cannot access the Internet, then it makes sense to check the Wi-Fi drivers. This is especially true if connection problems began after reinstalling Windows.

Right-click the Computer icon.
Open the Manage tool.
Go to Device Manager.
Find the wireless connection module among the network adapters.

Even if it says that the equipment works correctly, do not be lazy to go to the official website of the laptop and download drivers for the Wi-Fi module of your particular laptop model.

Checking router settings

If the laptop does not pick up the wireless network, but you see that everything is fine in the system, then you should pay close attention to the router. Make sure the alarm device is working correctly. Go to its web interface and look at the Wi-Fi settings.

Enter the router's address in the browser (192.168.0.0 or another specified on the router).
Open advanced settings and make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
Save the correct configuration and close the router interface.

After applying the new configuration, try connecting to your wireless connection again. For it to appear in the list of available networks, turn off and turn on the Wi-Fi adapter on your laptop.

Local network problems

We've figured out the wireless connection, now let's look at a more complex situation - the device does not see the local network, although you connected the Internet cable to the network card connector. What to do in this case?

First check if the wire is damaged. Often it is a faulty cable that causes the laptop to be unable to detect the local network. If the wire is broken or cut, it needs to be replaced.

The second step is to check the network card connector into which the Internet cable is inserted. If you removed the wire carelessly or dropped the laptop, the connector could be damaged. The problem is resolved at the service center, where the broken port will be replaced. Another unpleasant situation of this kind is a burned out network card. It is also better to entrust the operation of replacing it to specialists: after all, a laptop is not a computer where modules can be changed at home.

But before you go to the service, be sure to check the network card drivers: they may have failed. This can be done through the “Device Manager”, the launch procedure for which we described above. The principle is the same - download drivers for the network card from the official website of the laptop manufacturer and install them, and then check again whether the local network is detected.