New Windows 8 Laptop won't stay connected to wireless router
Have a new HP Pavilion laptop running Windows 8 that doesn't want to stay connected to the wireless router. It connects and stays connected to 2 other wireless routers I tried.
Windows will say it connects then it will say it has, "limited connection." Doing and IPCONFIG shows no default gateway. If you run the troubleshooter it says the issue is with the router. However, no other devices have problems connecting to the router.
I've installed and uninstalled the wireless adapter on the laptop. Deleted the configuration for the wireless network and manually readded it and it still will either join for a few seconds then disconnect or simply say, "can't connect to this network."
Ideas?
Windows will say it connects then it will say it has, "limited connection." Doing and IPCONFIG shows no default gateway. If you run the troubleshooter it says the issue is with the router. However, no other devices have problems connecting to the router.
I've installed and uninstalled the wireless adapter on the laptop. Deleted the configuration for the wireless network and manually readded it and it still will either join for a few seconds then disconnect or simply say, "can't connect to this network."
Ideas?
ASKER
Also -- Under "Details" of connection, on WiFi Status the IP address of the gateway is shown as is the laptop's assigned IP. However, it never appears when you do a, IPCONFIG in a command prompt window.
The router isn't sending the DHCP information or for some other reason the dhcp information isn't handshaking.
have you tried setting up a static ip address, network settings /adapter/ipv4 properties? A scan for malware using malware bytes is always a good idea
have you tried setting up a static ip address, network settings /adapter/ipv4 properties? A scan for malware using malware bytes is always a good idea
Go to Device Manager (System Properties) and select the Wireless NIC. Right Click and select the Power Management tab. Uncheck (deselect) the setting to "Turn this device off".
Then go to Power Management (Control Panel) and select Advanced Properties. Expand the Wireless settings and set both AC and Battery to Maximum Performance.
Make sure these settings have held, and then restart your laptop and test.
I did the above on my Windows 8 laptop (and Windows 7 and Vista before that) and my wireless stays on all the time.
You might also see if there is an update to your wireless NIC. If there is and if you update it, check the above two settings again.
.... Thinkpads_User
Then go to Power Management (Control Panel) and select Advanced Properties. Expand the Wireless settings and set both AC and Battery to Maximum Performance.
Make sure these settings have held, and then restart your laptop and test.
I did the above on my Windows 8 laptop (and Windows 7 and Vista before that) and my wireless stays on all the time.
You might also see if there is an update to your wireless NIC. If there is and if you update it, check the above two settings again.
.... Thinkpads_User
ASKER
@thinkpad: I tried your suggestions and they didn't work. Right after boot the system made a connection then went to, "limited."
I'm going to look for another driver for the adapter.
@ve3ofa: the system is new, out of the box, so i'm going to assume there are no viruses. i'd prefer the system be able to grab a new IP address from the router, but I may try the static route and see what happens.
I'm going to look for another driver for the adapter.
@ve3ofa: the system is new, out of the box, so i'm going to assume there are no viruses. i'd prefer the system be able to grab a new IP address from the router, but I may try the static route and see what happens.
I never had to use a static IP on my Windows 8 laptop (or any before that), so you should be able to get DHCP from your router. Try the new driver.
If the system is new (and Windows 8), are you using the sidebar (from Metro) to connect wireless?
Also, does your router (older maybe) support the new card of your Windows 8 machine? I have seen that before.
... Thinkpads_User
If the system is new (and Windows 8), are you using the sidebar (from Metro) to connect wireless?
Also, does your router (older maybe) support the new card of your Windows 8 machine? I have seen that before.
... Thinkpads_User
Try a "divide and conquer" approach.
1. Try a different laptop on this network. Result?
2. Try the new laptop in a different network. Result?
... Thinkpads_User
1. Try a different laptop on this network. Result?
2. Try the new laptop in a different network. Result?
... Thinkpads_User
ASKER
@think:
1. there are 8 other devices on this network. this is the only windows 8 system.
2. took the laptop to my office yesterday when it wouldn't stay connected at the client's. once i did all the microsoft updates the connection was fine. i brought the system in this morning and it worked fine for about 30 minutes.
i just downloaded an older driver from hp, for the adapter. it's a ralink 3290, by the way. it worked for about 2 minutes and lost "internet connection."
could there be something up with the router?
1. there are 8 other devices on this network. this is the only windows 8 system.
2. took the laptop to my office yesterday when it wouldn't stay connected at the client's. once i did all the microsoft updates the connection was fine. i brought the system in this morning and it worked fine for about 30 minutes.
i just downloaded an older driver from hp, for the adapter. it's a ralink 3290, by the way. it worked for about 2 minutes and lost "internet connection."
could there be something up with the router?
ASKER
sorry, just saw your other answer: the router is pretty new. the client just had it installed about 3 months ago. it's a motorola sbg6580.
once I did all the Microsoft updates the connection was fine. ..... could there be something up with the router?
Yes, it could be the router is not compatible. I do not like to condemn a new router, but wireless is as much an art as a science.
Is the card in the HP Laptop replaceable? Consider trying a new and different brand of wireless. Does HP support Intel Wireless? My Intel wireless NIC's (2 laptops) have worked everywhere.
... Thinkpads_User
Yes, it could be the router is not compatible. I do not like to condemn a new router, but wireless is as much an art as a science.
Is the card in the HP Laptop replaceable? Consider trying a new and different brand of wireless. Does HP support Intel Wireless? My Intel wireless NIC's (2 laptops) have worked everywhere.
... Thinkpads_User
ASKER
@think: i don't know if the wireless adapter is replaceable. i'll check hp's website.
stay tuned.
stay tuned.
Hi.
I had this problem once, maybe the same solution applies for you.
Problem was that the Wireless NIC did not "like" the router to be configured to use both WPA and WPA2. After changing to WPA2 only, the connection problems went away for good.
Note that this was only one computer, while all the others connected without problems in the wpa/wpa2 mixed mode.
If that does not help, try to use no wireless encryption for a test.
I had this problem once, maybe the same solution applies for you.
Problem was that the Wireless NIC did not "like" the router to be configured to use both WPA and WPA2. After changing to WPA2 only, the connection problems went away for good.
Note that this was only one computer, while all the others connected without problems in the wpa/wpa2 mixed mode.
If that does not help, try to use no wireless encryption for a test.
Reset the network interface on your computer
Also, disable ipv6 in the Wifi NIC properties
To reset, launch command prompt as administrator
netsh interface ip reset
netsh winsock reset
Reboot
Also, disable ipv6 in the Wifi NIC properties
To reset, launch command prompt as administrator
netsh interface ip reset
netsh winsock reset
Reboot
Try connecting the router in safe mode with networking.
If able to connect then problem might be caused by some program running at startup. Do clean boot to find the faulty app.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135/en-us
Safe mode with networking
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode
If able to connect then problem might be caused by some program running at startup. Do clean boot to find the faulty app.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135/en-us
Safe mode with networking
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode
>> It connects and stays connected to 2 other wireless routers I tried. << this points to a router problem
i suppose you tried a poweroff/on cycle? or reset it to factory settings? if not, try that first
it can be the router is just bad - test it with other systems
i suppose you tried a poweroff/on cycle? or reset it to factory settings? if not, try that first
it can be the router is just bad - test it with other systems
If things work fine everywhere else but with this one router then I'd suspect the router more than the new computer.
Also assuming that if you use the wired connection it works just fine. A router power/cycle or reset hasn't helped at all? You're set for WPA2-Personal and you've confirmed that the password is correct?
Also assuming that if you use the wired connection it works just fine. A router power/cycle or reset hasn't helped at all? You're set for WPA2-Personal and you've confirmed that the password is correct?
Who is the ISP?
Did they sell the modem to the customer?
Could be a firmware bug on the modem,but the DOCSIS spec does not allow the end user to upgrade manually,only the vendor.
I would call them and have them log in to check for issues.
Did they sell the modem to the customer?
Could be a firmware bug on the modem,but the DOCSIS spec does not allow the end user to upgrade manually,only the vendor.
I would call them and have them log in to check for issues.
ASKER
UPDATE:
I called HP. No great surprise, they were no help. "We'll call you back in 2 hours, after we do some research" In the meantime I logged onto the router and decided, for some unknown reason, to turn off 802.11n mode from "auto" to "off." ...and it works!
Can someone explain this to me?
Thanks for all the great input!!
I called HP. No great surprise, they were no help. "We'll call you back in 2 hours, after we do some research" In the meantime I logged onto the router and decided, for some unknown reason, to turn off 802.11n mode from "auto" to "off." ...and it works!
Can someone explain this to me?
Thanks for all the great input!!
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-basics/30664-5-ways-to-fix-slow-80211n-speed
If you are interested in a master degree on this topic, see the following link also.....lol
http://conferences.sigcomm.org/co-next/2010/CoNEXT_papers/27-Arslan.pdf
If you are interested in a master degree on this topic, see the following link also.....lol
http://conferences.sigcomm.org/co-next/2010/CoNEXT_papers/27-Arslan.pdf
see my post above
The auto setting affects G, N and Combination mode.
So it was the router (at least the router setup) all this time.
... Thinkpads_User
So it was the router (at least the router setup) all this time.
... Thinkpads_User
ASKER
YET ANOTHER UPDATE:
HP called last night and I informed them what fixed the problem but I view it as a temporary workaround. After some prodding on my part they agreed to get me an updated driver that should make the adapter work in 802.11n mode.
@think: I think I'd say the issue is really the wireless adapter's inability to handle 802.11n communications. Would you agree?
@Akinsad: thanks for the info!!! I'll check it out.
I won't close the question until I'm done with HP and their driver update.
HP called last night and I informed them what fixed the problem but I view it as a temporary workaround. After some prodding on my part they agreed to get me an updated driver that should make the adapter work in 802.11n mode.
@think: I think I'd say the issue is really the wireless adapter's inability to handle 802.11n communications. Would you agree?
@Akinsad: thanks for the info!!! I'll check it out.
I won't close the question until I'm done with HP and their driver update.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
@Think: thanks!
A point of clarification: most devices on this network use 802.11g, so it's a mixed network. Am I correct in saying that because it's mixed you really don't benefit that much by having 802.11n devices because the 802.11g devices slow down the entire network? So, ultimately, it's not that big of an issue?
A point of clarification: most devices on this network use 802.11g, so it's a mixed network. Am I correct in saying that because it's mixed you really don't benefit that much by having 802.11n devices because the 802.11g devices slow down the entire network? So, ultimately, it's not that big of an issue?
If the n is using the 40 mhz 5ghz spectrum ,that not entirely true as the G band is primarily 2.4 ghz.
@CraigSNYC - Thanks, and I was happy to help.
.... Thinkpads_User
.... Thinkpads_User
ASKER
I checked the router and it's assigned an IP address to the laptop. However, the laptop never "registers" it or the default gateway.