Windows was unable to connect to Wifi.
Hi, I just got my laptop changed to Windows 7 (It used to be Windows 10 but there were so many problems that I changed it.) When I connect to Wifi at home, everything is fine. The laptop can connect. I recently moved into campus and tried to connect my laptop to the university’s Wifi but it won’t connect. The message «Windows was unable to connect to wifi’ always popped up. So far, I have tried disabling/enabling the wireless in my laptop, removing all the wifis in ‘Manage wireless network’, I even changed the wireless’s driver. But so far, nothing has worked. One more thing, there seem to be TWO wireless network connection. One by Broadcom and another by Microsoft virtual wifi miniport.
Replies (2)
I do not know the specific problem you are having. I can tell you that a lot of people who tried Win10 and used the «reversion» to get back are having a lot of problems. The only good way to get Win7 back working completely correctly is a re-install of Win7.
Win10 back to Win7
Copy your data off first. If you can not boot your system, remove the hard drive and put it into a USB external drive housing. Connect to a working PC, copy the data off.
Always check to ensure the hard drive you are about to rebuild is actually sound from a hardware perspective. Download and run your hard drive manufacturer’s drive testing software.
However, if you are unable to make the reversion back to Windows 7. You should do a complete re-install. The only absolutely sure way to have a perfectly clean system. In the install process, it is called a “Custom” install.
You will need a Win7 install disk. You will need a legal product code and the win7 disk must match the edition of the code and its bitness (32 or 64). If you do not have the original Windows 7 install disk, borrow one from a friend. If that disk has SP1 (Service Pack 1) on it, it will save you many hours.
NEVER install anything but Windows Updates until your system is up to date. Once you have the update list, install all of them together. Installing updates in batches will not speed the process or make it better.
Boot your system to the Windows 7 install disk. When it asks where to store the system, click Advanced. Delete all partitions. Proceed with the install until you get your new desktop.
Change Windows Update setting to Never check for updates. This is the setting you will keep.
Download and install the following:
Now proceed to Windows Update and begin the update process.
After Windows 7, system drivers and all updates are installed and any stable applications like Microsoft Office are installed and updated, and before any data or dynamic applications are installed such as antivirus software, create a system image. It will take 3 or 6 DVD + Rs (not -Rs) and about an hour. When you are done you will have a very nice bit of insurance. Should you ever again need to re-build a corrupted system or replace a hard drive, you will have a precise duplicate of your system as it was at time you made this image. You can restore that image to a hard drive in about 20 minutes. Creation of System Image is found in your menu under Maintenance, Backup and Restore.
Another great feature about using the image is that you do not need an install disk or a product key to do the re-install the next time.
I emphasize the need for PLUS R DVD blanks. Do not use the more common MINUS R DVD blanks.
Prevent Windows 10
If you do not want Windows 10 and wish to prevent it from being installed on your computer, follow this exactly as laid out.
Once you have followed the procedure below, and set Windows update to NEVER, once a month, start Windows Update manually, check for updates. When you get the list of “important” updates, right-click and choose hide on EVERY update in the Windows grouping that does not describe itself as Security. Allow the Malicious software removal tool or any C++ updates. Do not use ANY optional updates or place a checkmark in any unchecked updates. Proceed to update.
You must adopt a protective stance to prevent your Windows 7 system from becoming something you do not want.
Change the Windows Update Setting to Never check for updates. Once a month, about 2 days after the 2nd Tuesday, they receive an email from me advising to manually start WU and then hide every update except for ones specifically labeled Security. In other words, only security updates will be applied. In all of 2015 and since, there was not a single update that improved Windows 7.
Some may feel uncomfortable with the setting — NEVER. Well you needn’t be. Never means you are never giving Microsoft a chance to decide what you download and install. It should NOT mean you will never update. The difference is that now you take control and the responsibility of updating of Windows and Office.
Read Woody Leonhard (one of the most respected writers in the trade) http://www.infoworld.com/article/2983777/microsoft-windows/how-to-clean-the-windows-10-crapware-off-your-windows-7-or-81-pc.html?nsdr=true Woody calls the Windows 10 download “crapware.” Woody’s advice is that if you have Windows 7, keep it, you are better off by far.
First download and run GWX Control panel. http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/
It will allow you to prevent any future operating system upgrades and delete downloaded Win10 files, but it will not remove all of Microsoft’s spyware that is already installed on your computer.
The following process will remove those features which you do not need.
This process works, but it only works if you do all the steps and do them in order.
- Take Windows Update off automatic — Nevercheck for updates
- Windows Update, Installed updates, WAIT a long time till you see the green bar complete its long trip to the right
- Now, search for each of the listed updates, uninstall them. You must wait until the list is re-created each time. You need to wait till you see the number at the bottom of the search window exceed a few hundred.
- If there are others you want to uninstall, click Later
- Then, clear the search box and after the list is again displayed (the number at the bottom again exceeds several hundred), enter another KB number.
- Restart the PC. It may take a long time to process this.
If you choose “check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them”, Microsoft will download “important” updates like KB3035583 to your computer. It will be pre-checked — selected. Unless you check Windows Update (WU) and discover this BEFORE you shut down, it will install it during the shut-down process.
List of updates that if already installed should be removed:
KB3035583
KB2952664
KB2977759
KB3021917
KB3075249
KB3080149
KB3173040
KB3163589
KB3090045
KB3081954
KB3123862
KB3150513
KB3022345
KB3081954
KB3068708
unable to connect to wireless network windows 7, wi
W ndows 7 ultimate 64 working fine for 2 weeks, network ok with a Dlink dir 628, my wife’s macbook air connects ok, now my Dell Inspiron e1705 does not detect any available networks, in network and sharing center did everything even setup a new connection, manualy but does not work, i unistall and reinstal the adapter (dell 1390 WLAN mini-card) that was working fine (and did connect to the wireless network for the last two weeks), any suggestion? eas:
- Programs you are having problems with
- Error messages
- Recent changes you made to your computer
- What you have already tried to fix the problem
Remember — This is a public forum so never post private information such as email or phone numbers!
Welcome to Microsoft Answers Forum!
To troubleshoot the issue better, please provide us the more information.
a) Have you made any recent changes on the computer?
Step 1:
Firstly I would suggest you to turn on network discovery and check whether it helps to fix the issue. To do so, please follow the steps below:
1. Open Advanced sharing settings by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type network, click Network and Sharing Center, and then, in the navigation pane, click Change advanced sharing settings.
2. Click the chevron to expand the current network profile.
3. Click Turn on network discovery, and then click Save changes. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Step 2:
Also please verify with the WLAN service is started and set to automatic, if the WLAN service is stopped, I would suggest you to start the service and put it to automatic.
Please follow the steps to start the WLAN service.
a) Click on Start, type in services.msc
b) Select WLAN Autoconfig from the list, Right click properties
c) Change the startup type to Automatic
d) Click on Start button
e) Click on Apply , Ok.
f) Restart the computer and verify if it works.
If the issue persists, then I would suggest you to download the latest network adaptor drivers from the manufacturer’s website and install the same on the computer and check whether it helps you to fix the issue.
Step 3:
Also I would suggest you to run a network diagnostic tool and check hope that will fix your issue.
To perform this troubleshooting problem, please follow the steps below.
a) Click on Start > Control Panel.
b) Click on Network and Internet, and then click on Network and Sharing center.
c) Under Network and Sharing centre, click on Troubleshoot Problem.
For additional information on how to troubleshoot common network problems, please refer to the links below:
I hope this information helps. Please get back to us if you have any more questions about this issue.
Unable to connect WiFi extender — «Windows was unable to connect to ‘named network’
Original title: I have a Wi Fi extender that my computer will no longer connect to, but used to, now just get an error message
The network shows up on my avaliable wireless networks with ‘excellent strength, but when I click connect, A message window pops up stating » Windows was unable to connect to ‘named network'» Other computers in my house can connect to this network fine, and my computer used to connect, but now will not.
I tried reseting the extender
I tried the recommended trouble shooting path, both were unsuccessful.
Netgear WiFi Universal Range Extender
Computer is a HP Pavilion dm4 notebook
The extender extends the local library network (with permission). My computer can pick up the library’s signal and connet to their network and get on the internet,
but it is very weak.
I am guessing it is something on my computer, I need to fix change a setting, etc, but the trouble shooting guide has not helped.
Have you made any recent changes on the computer?
I would suggest you to try the following methods and check if it helps.
Method 1:
Firstly, I would suggest you to turn on network discovery and check whether it helps to fix the issue. To do so, please follow the steps below:
a. Open Advanced sharing settings by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type network, click Network and Sharing Center, and then, in the navigation pane, click Change advanced sharing settings.
b. Click the chevron to expand the current network profile.
c. Click Turn on network discovery, and then click save changes. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Method 2:
Also, please verify with the WLAN service is started and set to automatic, if the WLAN service is stopped, I would suggest you to start the service and put it to automatic.
Please follow the steps to start the WLAN service.
a) Click on Start , type in services.msc
b) Select WLAN Autoconfig from the list, Right click properties
c) Change the startup type to Automatic
d) Click on Start button
e) Click on Apply , Ok.
f) Restart the computer and verify if it works.
If the issue persists, then I would suggest you to download the latest network adaptor drivers from the manufacturer’s website, install the same on the computer, and check whether it helps you to fix the issue.
Method 3:
Also, I would suggest you to run a network diagnostic tool and check hope that will fix your issue.
To perform this troubleshooting problem, please follow the steps below.
a) Click on Start > Control Panel .
b) Click on Network and Internet , and then click on Network and Sharing center .
c) Under Network and Sharing centre , click on Troubleshoot Problem .
For additional information on how to troubleshoot common network problems, please refer to the links below: