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Laptops are great tools for productivity, but they also come with some drawbacks, and one of the most frequently encountered tends to be connectivity issues – if you have ever tried connecting your laptop to a wireless network, you probably experienced frustration at least
once.
Wireless networks are designed to provide Internet access to devices within range. They’re usually free or very inexpensive, but sometimes they don’t work properly.
The problem might be caused by interference from other nearby devices such as cordless phones, microwaves, baby monitors, or even Bluetooth speakers.
To solve these problems, you’ll need to troubleshoot your connection. In this article, we’ll show you how to fix common WiFi problems, and get your laptop reconnected in no time.
Why Won’t My Laptop Connect?
Some of the most common reasons that your laptop is failing to connect to a WiFi network include:
- Incorrect security settings – In some cases, the security settings of the router may not be set up correctly, blocking you from connecting.
- Incorrect password – In some cases, you may have entered an incorrect WiFi password. To check, try entering the password on another device (like your smartphone) and see if you can connect. If you are able to connect to the second device, the issue could be with your laptop.
- Laptop too far from the router – If your laptop is placed too far away from your router, you may struggle to connect. You should place it so that there are about 2 meters between them – this will ensure that your signal reaches both devices – and then try to reconnect.
- WiFi is disabled – Your laptop may be unable to connect because the WiFi has been turned off – make sure you check both your router and your laptop to ensure that this is not the case before you try and proceed with another option.
- Router is down – If your router is down, you may not be able to connect to the internet. Check that the power supply is working and that the router is powered on.
How To Fix Your Laptop So It Connects To Wi-Fi
There are several ways to resolve the above-mentioned problems. These methods are listed below, along with their advantages and disadvantages. We recommend trying each method until you find one that works for you.
Step
Reset Network Settings
Resetting your network settings will allow your computer to reestablish its connection automatically. This is a quick solution, but it does require you to enter your login details again, so make sure you have these to hand.
1. Restart your laptop.
2. Select “Restore Defaults” from the Windows Control Panel.
3. Enter your username and password.
4. Click OK.
5. Wait for the process to complete.
6. Try to connect to the WiFi network again.
This essentially “refreshes” your system so that you can start again.
The advantages of this method are that it is quick, easy, and effective – you will, however, need to log back into your account.
Step
Restart The Router
In some cases, you may need to reboot your router:
1. Turn off your router and disconnect all plugs and wires
2. Wait 30 seconds
3. Plug the router back in
4. Press and hold the reset button on the front of the router for 10 seconds.
5. Wait two minutes, and try to reconnect
Step
Reset The Router
Resetting the router is another option:
1. Hold the reset button on the front of the router for 10 seconds
2. Release the reset button.
3. Wait for 5 minutes.
4. Try to connect to the WiFi
Final Thoughts
A laptop that will not connect to the WiFi is a frustrating experience, but trying one of the solutions we have outlined above can help get you back online in no time.
