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

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-08-31T04:06:50+00:00

    A little late to the party. Same situation here with one laptop seeing and accessing many wi fi networks except one. changing the driver fixed it. Although both drivers were identically named the Realtek one did not work but the Microsoft version made the network appear and functioned perfectly.

    I'm on a Dell Inspiron 15R, Windows 10, with a new Google Fiber Webpass setup and using their supplied Nest Wifi Pro router.

    Every device in my home picked up the new wifi connection except this laptop. I took my laptop downstairs to a condominium common area and could pick up public wifi with no issues. My laptop found several networks, in fact. When I brought my laptop back to my apartment, I could not find my own network much to my frustration.

    I fixed it by changing the driver to the Microsoft driver.

    How to find missing Wifi Network:

    Go to Network & Internet then to Change Adapter Options.

    Right click on the Wi-Fi field, then choose Properties from the right-click menu.

    In the Wifi Properties box, in the Networking tab “Connect Using” you will see your wireless adapter. Click the Configure box. In the next box, select the Driver Tab then Update Driver. Choose Browse my computer for Drivers option. Choose “Let me pick from a list” option. Choose the option that lists (Microsoft) at the end instead of the Intel (or whatever brand your adapter is). Click the Next button. When your driver has been updated, try searching again for networks.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-06-09T21:48:37+00:00

    Same issue here!

    Just resolved it.

    Just go to your router and at your 2.4 connection set the wi-fi mode to

    Mixed 802.11 b/n/g

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-02-27T15:57:28+00:00

    I had exactly the same problem.

    It was solved when I changed the settings of the router. Specifically, I tried different "Wireless Modes" (f.x. 802.11b or 802.11b+g+n and so on) until I found one all my computers could see.

    Hope it helps.

    Best regards,

    Ioannis

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  4. 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

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  5. franco d'esaro 25,086 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-06-28T07:13:21+00:00

    Hi,

    your wi-fi adapter does not support Dual-Band but only the 2.4 GHz band, so you have to manually set the wi-fi channel only on this band. Act on the channel drop-down menu of the 2.4 GHz band and try channels 1, 6 or 11 as described in my other thread. Ignore the 5 GHz band.

    Let me know if you need any further assistance.

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