Internet problems are always a nuisance. The causes can be very diverse. Sometimes the whole thing suddenly stops working and as soon as you ask someone for help, everything works fine again. To prevent this from happening to you, here are some helpful tips.
Is WLAN activated in the router settings?
If you cannot connect to your network via WiFi at all, you should check whether the WiFi function of your router is activated at all . Often you have to set up a network manually before other devices can connect wirelessly. The process differs from router to router, so don't be afraid to take a look at your router's manual. In general, however, you should make sure to activate the WLAN function, give your network a unique name and set a secure password . We explain how to find a secure password here.
Does the internet even work?
You should also make sure that your router is actually connected to the Internet. The best way to do this is to test whether you can access the Internet with your device via LAN (i.e. by cable). It can also be helpful to restart your device and the router . With the router, you can simply unplug the cables, wait a few seconds, and then plug them back in. If your router does not generally establish a connection to the Internet (neither via LAN nor via WLAN), you should contact your provider..
Find the cause
Use another WLAN-enabled device, for example a cell phone or laptop, to test whether you can connect to your network. If the problem with the WLAN connection occurs here as well, the cause is probably your router and you should check your settings or ask your provider for help. However, if the connection works here, the problem is most likely with your device. If you want to connect a laptop to the WLAN , you may first have to operate a switch on the device yourself. Some laptops have a small switch on the front or side edge that turns the network function on and off. Is it not a laptop but a desktop PC? , make sure that it is able to establish a WLAN connection at all. Because many computers are not designed to connect wirelessly.
Driver and other software problems
The WLAN function should be activated on your device . Switch on the corresponding function and switch off any offline or flight mode . If the WLAN works without problems with other devices, incorrect settings or driver problems may be to blame. First of all, you should pay attention to the error messages your operating system outputs when you try to connect to the network. Often the right information is given here on how to fix the problem. If so, let your operating system guide you through troubleshooting . You can also start troubleshooting manually by right-clicking the network icon in the system tray..
If you still cannot connect, you may have to fix the problem yourself. A common cause is outdated or faulty drivers . You can try to run an automatic driver update using the device manager provided by Windows. To do this, simply open your device manager via the start menu and look for the device that is responsible for your WLAN under " Network adapter ". Right click and choose Properties . On the Driver tab, click Update Driver ". There you will be guided through the process. Alternatively, you can install the current device driver from the manufacturer's website for your network module.
Range and other problems
Note that the nature of your surroundings can have a major influence on the strength and range of the WiFi signal . The range of the signal is therefore much greater in the open field than in a large house with thick walls. It can often happen that your devices cannot connect to the router a few rooms away. Some electronic devices also cause problems with the signal , so they should not be near the router or your device. If you live in a densely populated area, interference can also occur because too many users are using your WiFi signal on the same radio channel . Many routers allow you to change the channel manually.
