When you have difficulty connecting to a wireless network from a Windows laptop, try these Windows wireless troubleshooting tips. These tips should also work on a windows tablet.
Make sure the physical switch (or key combination) is activated. Otherwise try:
Table of Contents
Disable and enable the adapter
- Control Panel > Network Sharing Center > Change adapter settings
- Power cycle through the key combo or physical switch
Renew the IP Address
- Open command prompt (For Windows Vista, run as an administrator)
- Type in
ipconfig /releaseand hit ‘Enter’ - Type in
ipconfig /renewand hit ‘Enter’
Turn off IPv6
- Control Panel > Network Sharing Center > Change adapter settings, right-click on Wireless Network Connection > Properties
- Uncheck TCP/IPv6
- Select IPv4 and click Properties
- Make sure both Obtain IP address automatically and Obtain DNS automatically are checked. In addition under the Alternate Configuration tab, make sure Automatic private IP address is selected
- Be sure to press OK to exit in order to save settings
Change Power Management Settings
- Control Panel > Network Sharing Center > Change adapter settings, right-click on Wireless Network Connection > Properties
- Click Configure
- Go to the ‘Power Management’ tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power
Other things to try
- Temporarily turn off Anti-Virus or firewall (don’t forget to eventually turn this back on).
- Remove and re-add your wireless network settings.
- Run a Winsock Reset.
- If running Windows Vista, do the Disable Vista DHCP registry fix.
- Reinstall the wireless NIC driver.
What other Windows wireless troubleshooting tasks do you do or is this list in your repertoire?
