Network icon show red "X" even though wireless adapter is connected and working...

Anonymous
2010-02-01T15:49:01+00:00

Running Windows 7 Ultimate and I recently tried installing the new softwarer/driver for the Netgear WPN111 wireless adapter. Before the install everything worked normally with the older version 2.1, but after installing version 3.0 it does not.

When the network icon in systray comes up you get the disconnected icon with the circle while it searches. Once it finishes it goes back to the disconnected icon, even though it is now connected to my wireless.

Here are somethings I've tried:

  • clearing all network locations
  • clearing tray notification cache using CCleaner
  • uninstalling the adapter itself from device manager including checking delete driver
  • removing the wireless network and adding it back manually
  • hiding and unhiding the network icon in the tray
  • uninstalling version 3.0 and reinstalling version 2.1
  • uninstalling version 3.0 and reinstalling version 3.0
  • restarting the Network Location Awareness service
  • disabling and renabling the Network Location Awareness service after a reboot

Here are some things I've noticed:

  • the network icon used to change to the wireless icon during connecting and once connected, now it always shows the wired network icon
  • tried connecting to a wired connect and the same thing happens, it goes back to displaying the icon with the red "X" even though it is connected
  • booted into safe mode with networking and the icon works normally in safe mode

Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. It's one of those things that doesn't really affect the functionality of Windows, but it's annoying as all.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-02-12T18:43:16+00:00

Hmm... a complete reinstall seems a bit premature at this point. Why not first try the following:

  1. Clear all preferred wireless networks from your network configuration. Right click to manage, click wireless on the left, delete everything.
  2. Ensure the network manager service is running.

A reboot may be required, but it was not in my case.

Was this answer helpful?

90+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

100 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2011-05-15T03:05:08+00:00

    Guys and gals, I had this same problem, I went thru all of the suggestions above, all to no avail !! I found out that, once all connections are good, all I had to do was disable the Local Area Connection and then enable it (no wireless on this PC). This refreshed the icon and all is well. The exact same process should work for you. As long as a network device is not in use and is disabled, it should not effect this icon.

    Bottom line: if you use wireless, make sure any others you don't use are disabled. If you use the "Local Area Connection", make sure any others you don't use are disabled. Then, disable then re-enable the connection that you DO use. To configure your connection and refresh the icon::

    1. right-click on the systray "Network" icon with the red X
    2. left-click on "Open Network and Sharing Center"
    3. left-click on "Change adapter settings"
    4. only ONE connection should be enabled and others disabled

    a. If you use wireless, you should see the word "disabled" under the "Local Area

    Connection". If not disabled and you do NOT use a direct cable plugged into the LAN

    connector, disable it as follows:

    1. right-click on "Local Area Connection"
    2. left click on "disable"

    b. If you use a Wireless Network Connection", disable then re-enable it as follows:

    1. right-click on "Wireless Network Connection"
    2. left click on "disable"
    3. right-click on "Wireless Network Connection"
    4. left-click on "enable"

    NOTE: you'll need to  reconnect to your network if it isn't an automatic connection

    1. The red X on the Network icon in the systray should now be gone.
    2. skip down to step 5..

    c. If you use only the cabled LAN connection, disable then re-enable it as follows:

    1. right-click on "Local Area Connection"
    2. if it is already disabled, skip down to step (5
    3. left click on "disable"

    4) right-click on "Local Area Connection"

    1. left click on "enable"
    1. You should repeat the above applicable procedure as necessary to disable all unused connections shown in the network connections list viewed in step 4. above.
    2. After connection is re-established and IP address obtained, the red X on the systray "Network" icon should be gone.

    If this doesn't resolve your issue, I would ask Microsoft. You know how helpful they'll be ? Not very b/c they are the ones that should have had this icon refresh every time you reboot (and if they do, it's BEFORE DHCP is completed instead of after). Also, the guy or gal you talk with won't be the one that wrote that particular module of Vista or 7 (since it likely wasn't done in Pakistan anyway). Not only that but you can rest assured that they will be in CYA mode for Microsoft at the threat of becoming a part of the "just over 9% statistic" reported monthly. :)

    Good luck !!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-12-29T05:49:26+00:00

    Ted Nancy's solution (above) worked for me (I did need to reboot).  Thanks, Ted!!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Günter Born 49,461 Reputation points
    2010-12-16T12:20:05+00:00

    I had the same problem .Finally, I discover the cause of the  problem ,it is due to the installation of the virtual machine"virtual box".When I remove the program  Network icon is working normally.

    Fear this isn't the solution for your problem. If you have installed VirtualBox 3.x successful, a VBox virtual network adapter will be present - and if everything went well, the virtual adapter is functional. What you need to do (to remove the "unidentified" network segment, that prevents Win 7 from accessing Internet) is: add the VBox network adapter to a network bridge that contains also the physical network adapter.

    Gruß/greetings G. Born - Blogs: http://blog.borncity.com

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-12-15T20:08:24+00:00

    I had the same problem .Finally, I discover the cause of the  problem ,it is due to the installation of the virtual machine"virtual box".When I remove the program 

    Network icon is working normally.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments