Cannot see own wireless network but can see others around me

Anonymous
2021-06-27T02:56:35+00:00

Hi all,

Seemingly after last Windows update (though I'm not sure) I cannot see my own wireless network on my home laptop. I can see all the networks of my neighbors, but not my own.

I can see it and connect to my wireless network with my Work laptop. My partner can see it and connect to it with her two laptops and her smartphone.

I checked the wireless network adapter (Realtek RTL8723AE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC) and when I click Properties and then Configure, the General tab says "This device is working properly." However, when I look at the icon in the Control Panel under Network Connections there is a big red X next to the Wi-Fi icon and it says "Not Connected".

When I click the Diagnose button the result is "You have not chosen to connect to any of the available networks" (and I can't since I don't know the security keys for those networks). Then skipping to the next step, the next window says "None of the networks you have previously connected to are in range"

Any advice?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | 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

156 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. franco d'esaro 25,086 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-06-27T16:30:28+00:00

    Hi PeterY61 ,

    try these options:

    1) Uninstall / reinstall the wi-fi adapter by following this procedure:

    https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/how-to-reinstall-wi-fi-driver-on-windows-10-easily/ 

    **NOTE:**This is a non Microsoft website. The page appears to provide accurate and secure information. Beware of ads on the site that may advertise products often classified as PUPs (potentially unwanted products).

    Ignore advertising tips, do not use third-party driver installation programs.

    2) Try changing the driver by looking for it on your computer:

    1. Go to Device Manager> Network Adapters, right click on your network adapter> Update Driver.
    2. Select "Search my computer for drivers"
    3. Select "Choose from a list of drivers available on your computer"
    4. Windows will propose 2 or more compatible drivers for the network adapter in use, select a driver other than the one currently in use> Next. The driver will be installed automatically. Restart the PC.

    Otherwise, download and reinstall the latest driver version available from the pc manufacturer's website

    Was this answer helpful?

    60+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2021-06-27T16:13:59+00:00

    I'm thinking it has something to do with hardware issue but it may be best if I release your question to other advisors so they can take a look at it and let them share some other ways that can fix the issue.

    You take care and keep safe always.

    Sincerely,

    Louie

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2021-06-27T15:57:27+00:00

    Hi Louie,

    No, just my home laptop. My work laptop can see it and connect to it. My partner's two laptops and her smartphone can see it and connect to it. (I don't have a smartphone)

    I've already tried shutting off the modem and the router and then turned them back on and that hasn't helped either

    Was this answer helpful?

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2021-06-27T13:50:30+00:00

    Is this wireless connection issue affecting all your devices?

    If yes try to power cycle your modem/router. Leave it turned off for about 2 minutes and turn it back on. Wait for it to reestablish the connection and check your pc/laptop if it detects your wifi network.

    Was this answer helpful?

    5 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2021-06-27T13:44:37+00:00

    Hi Louis,

    I tried pretty well everything mentioned above, but no luck, see below results from your directions, I bolded the Result heading, and a few statements below that looked significant:

    First, run network troubleshooter

    Result: Troubleshooting couldn't identify the problem

    Second, try resetting the TCP/IP stack and clearing any DNS information on Windows 10.

    Results:

    netsh winsock reset

    Sucessfully reset the Winsock Catalog.

    You must restart the computer in order to complete the reset.

    1. Type the following command to reset the internet protocol stack and press Enter:

    netsh int ip reset

    C:\WINDOWS\system32>netsh int ip reset

    Resetting Compartment Forwarding, OK!

    Resetting Compartment, OK!

    Resetting Control Protocol, OK!

    Resetting Echo Sequence Request, OK!

    Resetting Global, OK!

    Resetting Interface, OK!

    Resetting Anycast Address, OK!

    Resetting Multicast Address, OK!

    Resetting Unicast Address, OK!

    Resetting Neighbor, OK!

    Resetting Path, OK!

    Resetting Potential, OK!

    Resetting Prefix Policy, OK!

    Resetting Proxy Neighbor, OK!

    Resetting Route, OK!

    Resetting Site Prefix, OK!

    Resetting Subinterface, OK!

    Resetting Wakeup Pattern, OK!

    Resetting Resolve Neighbor, OK!

    Resetting , OK!

    Resetting , OK!

    Resetting , OK!

    Resetting , OK!

    Resetting , failed.

    Access is denied.

    Resetting , OK!

    Resetting , OK!

    Resetting , OK!

    Resetting , OK!

    Resetting , OK!

    Resetting , OK!

    Resetting , OK!

    Restart the computer to complete this action.

    1. Type the following command to clear the current networking configuration and press Enter:

    ipconfig /release

    Windows IP Configuration

    No operation can be performed on Wi-Fi while it has its media disconnected.

    No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection* 1 while it has its media disconnected.

    No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection* 2 while it has its media disconnected.

    No operation can be performed on Bluetooth Network Connection while it has its media disconnected.

    Ethernet adapter Ethernet:

    Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

    Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c4e7:255f:d401:16bb%8

    Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

    Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

    Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

    Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

    Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 1:

    Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

    Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

    Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 2:

    Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

    Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

    Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

    Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

    Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

    1. Type the following command to reconfigure the network settings and press Enter:

    ipconfig /renew

    Windows IP Configuration

    No operation can be performed on Wi-Fi while it has its media disconnected.

    No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection* 1 while it has its media disconnected.

    No operation can be performed on Local Area Connection* 2 while it has its media disconnected.

    No operation can be performed on Bluetooth Network Connection while it has its media disconnected.

    Ethernet adapter Ethernet:

    Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

    Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::c4e7:255f:d401:16bb%8

    IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 10.10.10.146

    Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

    Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 10.10.10.1

    Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

    Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

    Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

    Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 1:

    Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

    Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

    Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 2:

    Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

    Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

    Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

    Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

    Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :

    1. Type the following command to clear the DNS information cached and press Enter:

    ipconfig /flushdns

    Windows IP Configuration

    Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

    1. Restart your computer.

    Did all the above. Still cannot see my wireless network.

    Third, If the steps above still doesn't work, reset all the network adapters, use these steps:

    Result: Followed the steps and still cannot see my wireless network.

    I went to Settings -> Network & Internet -> Status ->"View hardware and connection properties" and this is what I see:

    Name: Ethernet

    Description: Qualcomm Atheros AR8161 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (NDIS 6.30)

    Physical address (MAC): d8:cb:8a:82:8c:7b

    Status: Operational

    Maximum transmission unit: 1500

    Link speed (Receive/Transmit): 1000/1000 (Mbps)

    DHCP enabled: Yes

    DHCP servers: 10.10.10.1

    DHCP lease obtained: ‎June ‎27, ‎2021 8:26:16 AM

    DHCP lease expires: ‎June ‎28, ‎2021 8:26:16 AM

    IPv4 address: 10.10.10.146/24

    IPv6 address: fe80::8491:149c:3aba:6426%8/64

    Default gateway: 10.10.10.1

    DNS servers: 10.10.10.1

    Network name: Network

    Network category: Public

    Connectivity (IPv4/IPv6): Connected to Internet / Connected to unknown network

    Name: Wi-Fi

    Description: Realtek RTL8723AE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC

    Physical address (MAC): 28:c2:dd:e9:d5:cb

    Status: Not operational

    Maximum transmission unit: 1500

    IPv4 address: 169.254.246.225/16

    IPv6 address: fe80::54b4:327:9674:f6e1%7/64

    DNS servers: fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1

    Connectivity (IPv4/IPv6): Disconnected

    Name: Local Area Connection* 9

    Description: Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter

    Physical address (MAC): 28:c2:dd:e9:d5:cb

    Status: Not operational

    Maximum transmission unit: 1500

    IPv4 address: 169.254.155.130/16

    IPv6 address: fe80::d18e:47d9:3526:9b82%31/64

    DNS servers: fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1

    Connectivity (IPv4/IPv6): Disconnected

    Name: Local Area Connection* 10

    Description: Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter #2

    Physical address (MAC): 28:c2:dd:e9:d5:cb

    Status: Not operational

    Maximum transmission unit: 1500

    IPv4 address: 169.254.41.71/16

    IPv6 address: fe80::89aa:c4d8:3ee0:2947%36/64

    DNS servers: fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1

    Connectivity (IPv4/IPv6): Disconnected

    Name: Bluetooth Network Connection

    Description: Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)

    Physical address (MAC): 28:c2:dd:ea:2a:6a

    Status: Not operational

    Maximum transmission unit: 1500

    IPv4 address: 169.254.136.197/16

    IPv6 address: fe80::c0eb:c083:5f59:88c5%6/64

    DNS servers: fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1, fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1

    Connectivity (IPv4/IPv6): Disconnected

    It seems to me it's the Realtek Network Wireless adapter that's the problem. What do you think?

    Thanks,

    Peter

    Was this answer helpful?

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments