techsupport @lemmy.world Scrimby @lemm.ee 1y ago

Problem with my specific laptop's connection to wifi.

Hello, I have this laptop and need to update it, but the internet seems to be unable to connect. here are some details. at first it worked, but after i updated it (i think) it stopped working. I tried to enter the home's wifi password and such, but now it says (cant connect to this network). it doesn't even prompt me to enter the password anymore, it just automatically "connects" and says the error. I can't even forget the network, it only says connect when i right-click it. I tried to restart the network and nothing happened, and i deleted the wifi driver and still nothing. I honestly don't know what to do. if you have any ideas. do tell, thank you.

13 comments

Hard plug it to Ethernet if you can. If it still persists then try repairing it using a win10 or win11 installation USB.

It definitely needs the WiFi driver now that you've deleted it. Windows will take care of that as soon as you plug it in to Ethernet.
- im sorry to sound stupid, but where would i find an ethernet cable? would it be connected to the router?
  
  Ethernet cables are still commonly sold. It would connect from the back of the router to the ethernet port on your computer.
  
  what would happen if i didn't have one/ didn't have a port? if i went with the windows install how would i do it without internet?
Since you've uninstalled the WiFi driver, try:

Reinstall driver

Restart computer, modem, and router

Double check that there's not a WiFi switch that's off. I've seen physical switches and Fn buttons for this.

Try to connect to WiFi

Make a hotspot with your phone and try to connect to that

If it fails to connect to both WiFi and the hotspot, then it might be a driver, OS, or hardware problem. You could redownload the driver on another computer (or via Ethernet if you can connect that way) and try again. Similar for the OS, but I don't know Windows so seek specific advice for that. Hardware is easy. A WiFi adapter like this should work

Edit: Also make sure that your network is working correctly. Do other devices connect to the Wi-Fi? Turn your phone's data off and connect, then see if it loads anything. Could be the internet's out or the modem.
- alright, I managed to update the os. but still nothing. everything else in the house connects to the network but the hp laptop.
- Alright, testing the hotspot, and it works. (but that must mean they're is something wrong with the network perhaps? or i guess the drivers? because the home network still isin't working.)
  
  If your laptop's able to connect and use the hotspot, that's good news. Drivers, OS, and hardware are all probably fine. Couple more thoughts:
  
  On your laptop, forget the network and try to set it up manually with IPv4/6 instead of DHCP. This article has some steps for that.
  
  Does your network require whitelisting devices? Alternatively, could your laptop be blacklisted?
  
  If these don't work, could you add your windows version, exact error wording, and the hp model to the post? It will help for looking the problem up.
Broadcom? lol..

Connect to your phone if you can maybe? Might be easier than Ethernet if you’re too far away/don’t have a cord

Uninstall and reinstall drivers maybe
Update: I unplugged the router and waited 30 seconds and....it worked again! thanks everyone for chime-ing in :)

13 comments