Networks·41,459 discussions

Cannot access WiFi network/connection

Tags: Networking

Hello,

Since recently upgrading my older HP Pavilion dv6t-6c00 laptop to Windows 10 from Win 7 my WiFi has stopped working.

The onboard network device is a Realtek model RTL8188CE 802.11bgn. Device Manager states the device is working properly and that the most current driver is installed. When I attempt to connect to a network (show available networks) numerous locations show up (neighbors). However, I do not see our network. I know ours is available because I have several other devices connected to it and all are working fine.

I did have this problem once before under Win7. I uninstalled the RTL8188CE device, rebooted, Win7 found the hardware, reinstalled the drivers, and all worked fine. I tried the same thing with Win10 but no luck. It found the hardware and installed the drivers but I still can’t logon to our network.

Now here’s where this gets a little convoluted so please bear with me. I’ll try to explain as best I can.

As a test, I installed a small USB WiFi adapter into the laptop; it found our network and connected perfectly. When I went to look at what network connections are available in addition to Dial-up and Ethernet, I saw two WiFi networks called Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi 2. Wi-Fi shows all the neighboring networks but not ours; Wi-Fi 2 shows our network. So, it looks like the onboard RTL8188CE device cannot locate the Wi-Fi 2 connection. When I unplug the USB WiFi adapter, Wi-Fi 2 connection disappears leaving only Wi-Fi connection.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve K.

Topic

My suggestion

In reply to Cannot access WiFi network/connection

I would try to reach out to HP support for help. There may be a patch required to make it work properly. I know you mentioned that the computer is reporting that the driver is up to date, but there sounds like some incompatibility issue is occurring.

Check out this link I found on the HP support site, sounds like the issue you are having: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Wireless-and-Networking/Realtek-RTL8188CE-802-11bgn-WiFi-Adapter-network-capability/td-p/6521814

Reply To: Cannot access WiFi network/connection

In reply to My suggestion

Thanks BirdMan. I tried all of this but still no connection. For now I’m going to just stick with the USB WiFi adapter. It works and it’s cheap. I guess I was simply hoping for a simple fix. Oh well, thanks again.

Steve

If you can’t find a working driver.

In reply to Cannot access WiFi network/connection

You replace the internal WiFI card. At my brothers insurance office we have a bone pile of dead laptops for donor cards. I pull the card that doesn’t work and then look around for one that is of same make but newer.

So far, 10 out of 10 tries fixes this one.

Remember I take it you ignored Device Manager’s “working properly” message and went to the laptop’s maker’s driver’s page to download and install that driver. Device manager is SUS.

Reply To: Cannot access WiFi network/connection

In reply to If you can’t find a working driver.

Yup rproffitt I tried HP, Realtek, and BrandX but nothing helped. Like I noted above, I’m going to just stick with the mini USB WiFi adapter. Thanks for your suggestion. All is much appreciated.

[abartkiewicz]

Reply To: Cannot access WiFi network/connection

In reply to Cannot access WiFi network/connection

I would say you have one of the following problems. Either your wifi isn’t broadcasting the SSID and the other devices already know about it. Or your wifi is using 5ghz and your laptop only supports 2.4ghz. Or possibly you could have both issues.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by abartkiewicz.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by abartkiewicz.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by abartkiewicz.

Reply To: Cannot access WiFi network/connection

In reply to Cannot access WiFi network/connection

Restart your modem and router
Unplug the power cable for the router from the power source.
Unplug the power cable for the modem from the power source.
Wait at least 30 seconds or so.
Plug the modem back into the power source.
Plug your router back into the power source.
On your PC, try to connect again.

Regards,
Will

Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows

In reply to Cannot access WiFi network/connection

Select the network adapter, press and hold (or right-click), then select Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software, and then follow the instructions. After installing the updated driver, select Start > Power > Restart if you’re asked to restart, and see if that fixes the connection issue.

[Author]

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