What to do if it gives a network adapter error. How to turn on the wireless adapter (on a laptop)

Windows 7 supports the vast majority of network cards. Moreover, most modern network equipment is sharpened specifically for Windows, with all the ensuing problems, because Windows is not famous for its stability. However, Microsoft promptly solves most of the problems that arise with network equipment, honor and praise to them, but those that inevitably arise will be analyzed in detail in this article.

First of all: in order to expand the potential range of tasks that a client computer performs on a network, there is a need to change the basic parameters of a network card.

Here are examples of such tasks:

How to see a list of available network adapters (network connections) in Windows 7?

The list of available devices on Windows 7 can be seen in two ways:

The second method starts by opening the "Device Manager" using the "Run" window:

Enabling the network card, including using the BIOS

Read instructions for everyone BIOS versions in the article -

On laptops, turning the network interface on and off is done by pressing a keyboard shortcut, on desktop computers, through the BIOS menu.

To enable wireless network adapter laptops have a combination of "Fn + F12", although some manufacturers make a special key for this function.

Installing a network driver on Windows 7, including without the Internet

Since the network adapter is equivalent to the Internet, its absence makes it very difficult to download the driver for network card. The issue is resolved by pre-recording drivers on media.

1. Drivers are downloaded and written to a flash drive, CD, etc.
2. The media is connected to the PC.
3. After that, the "Device Manager" opens, using the "Run" window (called by pressing the "Win + R" keys), in which the "devmgmt.msc" command is entered.

   

4. There is a section "Sound, game and video devices", subsection "Unknown device", which is not yet installed. Driver installation for an unknown device (future network adapter) must be started after it is selected right click mouse and select from the Properties drop-down menu.

   

5. Click the left mouse button - "Update".

   

6. Manual setting is selected.

   

7. The path to the driver media is written or indicated.

   

8. Finally, the installation begins. It takes no more than a couple of minutes.

The network card without drivers in the "Device Manager" was in the "Unknown Devices" section. After the update, it takes its rightful place - in the "Network Adapters".

Video - How to install a network adapter driver without access to the Internet

Setting up a network connection in Windows 7

Although Internet service providers prefer to configure their own network hardware customers, sometimes you have to do more advanced configuration. This is typical for computers with multiple adapters.

For this:

1. Go to the context menu "Start", open the "Control Panel".

   

2. In the "View" category, set the value to "Category", find and open the "Network and Internet" section.

   

3. Click on the "Network and Sharing Center" link. public access».

   

4. Click on the "Change adapter settings" link.

   

5. Right-click on the network connection shortcut, select "Properties".

   

6. Check the box "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)", click on the "Properties" button.

   

7. Check the box "Use the following IP address", fill in the fields with data.

   

   On a note! The fields and "Main gateway" are in the agreement with the Internet provider, the remaining fields contain the same values ​​for all users.

Video - The computer does not see the network adapter

How to view and change network card settings (IP, Mac, and more) in Windows 7?

It is easy to see the adapter parameters and its MAC address thanks to system programs.

For this:

How to reset all network driver settings?

If you want to completely roll back all settings to their original level, then do the following:

Is it possible to create two network cards?

Many users are thinking about getting a second network card. Physically, there are no problems here: most laptops and computers support a second network card. But there are exceptions, as well as damaged slots, as well as netbooks and tablet computers. In this situation, you need to use a virtual board that distributes Internet traffic no worse than a physical one.

The ability to install such a virtual card is in the Windows system itself:

1. In the "Start" menu, type "manager" in the field, open "Device Manager".

   

2. In the "Device Manager" click on the "Network adapters" section, select "Actions" in the top menu, and from the drop-down menu - "Install an old device".

   

3. The installation wizard will open. You need to select the manual option to access the list of drivers for all devices.

   

4. Scroll through the categories, select "Network adapters", click "Next".

   

5. Then click on the "Micrsoft" item, add "Micrsoft loopback adapter" or "Microsoft Loopback Adapter", which will then appear in the network connections window.

   

   

6. Confirm. The network adapter should now appear in Network Connections.

   

   

Complete reset of network drivers

If your Internet is down or most of the Internet pages are not opening, then resetting all parameters and the TCP / IP stack can be an excellent solution to this problem.

Disable network card

To disable the network adapter, the most the best remedy- it's just to use the most standard and convenient Windows tool to contain all such hardware is the device manager. Do the following:

In this case, the shutdown will occur immediately, it will not even be necessary to reboot the OS.

Important! After the adapter is disconnected, the Internet connection will be cut off along with it and there will be a disconnection from local network. Therefore, it is recommended to finish all your business on the Internet in a timely manner before turning off the network card.

The network adapter does not have valid IP settings

A common problem with Windows users 7 - this is when there are problems accessing the Internet and the network diagnostic tool displays a message stating that the network adapter does not have valid IP settings.

In this case, you can first try to reset the router. If you have wired connection, then disable and then re-enable your network-connection in the network connections menu. If this does not help, then you can proceed to the next steps.

Step 1. Renew your IP address - this is the easiest method, although not always helpful in this case. To do this, open Command Prompt (as administrator) and enter the following commands:

Check again if the error is still displayed? If yes, then let's move on.

Step 2 You can try to reset network settings, namely the IP protocols. The TCP / IP protocol stack is recommended to be reset to factory settings in the most acute cases, when problems arise as a result of actions malware etc. To do this, you need to open in administrator mode command line and enter:

Network card settings crash

When setting up a network, users may encounter the following situation: when the IP address, gateway, DNS are manually entered - the prescribed parameters are not saved, but reset to factory settings, and thus it becomes impossible to change network settings from automatic receipt addresses from the router. One of the common reasons for this is the incorrect removal of an antivirus that has firewall functions.

What should be done:

1. Reset the TCP/IP protocol stack to factory settings (see how to do this earlier in the article).
2. Reboot.

If this does not help, then do the following:

After that, the problem should be resolved.

What to do if there are problems with the network card?

Many plug-in network adapters, due to their vulnerability to electricity, can temporarily fail during periods of severe thunderstorms, or power outages in a building. In most cases, difficulties appear in situations with wired equipment, since multi-storey buildings have long cable routes laid by Internet providers in places not quite intended for this, next to telephone and television cables and high voltage wires. High humidity, dampness and low temperature in this area - all this has an extremely negative effect on the insulation of wires, so breakdowns appear in them. .

Sometimes also, in more rare cases, breakdowns occur due to emergencies such as a major thunderstorm. Network adapters often burn out, or users begin to experience difficulty logging into the network. In this case, the equipment will function, but there may be no connection to the Internet during such periods.

Unfortunately, this problem solved only by buying another model of network adapter. For a desktop computer, it complies with the PCI standard, for a laptop - USB and PCMCIA.

It is also not recommended to include network cable into the router, and then connect a computer to it, because even if the router breaks down, its replacement will cost relatively inexpensively, compared to replacing the network card built into the computer (or even the entire motherboard).

Windows 7 does not see network adapter

When the integrated network equipment is not shown in either the Network Connections window or the Device Manager, and is not even reflected in the Unknown Devices section (which would be due to the lack of drivers), then something is most likely wrong with it physically. It is quite possible that some transistors burned out on the network card board, or a chip flew off - in this case it is more expedient to buy a new card.

Video - How to set up a wired network card on Windows 7

Laptops have an advantage over personal computers in the face of a built-in Wi-Fi adapter, with which users can connect to wireless Wi-Fi networks. However, PC owners can easily purchase an external Wi-Fi adapter and enjoy the benefits of wireless technology in the same way.

However, some PC users report that, at times, their external Wi-Fi adapters, for some reason, cannot connect to the network distributed by their router. The root of the problem can be many things: a bad driver, problems with the router, settings operating system etc.

In this article, we will tell you what you can do if your Wi-Fi adapter cannot connect to the distributed network.

Checking the distributed Wi-Fi network

Let's first think about this: have you ever thought that perhaps the problem with connecting to the network is not in the Wi-Fi adapter, but in the router, which simply does not distribute the wireless network? Checking this is quite simple: take another device that is able to connect to WiFi networks, and try connecting with it to your router.

In the absence of other devices, you need to go to the settings of your router and make sure that it is activated to distribute the wireless network. There are times when the settings in such devices, for some reason, get lost on their own. All you need to do is enter the interface and activate the Wi-Fi sharing option.

Disable Airplane Mode

As we all know, Windows 10 has a pretty handy Airplane Mode that lets you turn off all the wireless modules that are on your system. Of course, after activation this mode your external Wi-Fi adapter will also be deactivated.

Airplane mode is extremely useful on mobile devices and laptops, but on stationary computers it is absolutely unnecessary. However, you may have accidentally turned it on, for example, by digging through the settings or using a special combination. There are also opinions that the "Airplane" mode can be turned on by third-party software.

Deactivating Airplane mode is incredibly simple: click on the Notification Center icon and click on the airplane mode button. That's all that is required of you. If you did not find this option in the Notification Center, then you can turn to System Settings and disable it there.

Restarting the Wi-Fi Router

Realizing that the distribution of the wireless network is activated and your Wi-Fi adapter is not blocked system settings computer - try restarting your router. There is a possibility that it has started to malfunction, as a result of which you cannot connect to the network using third-party devices with a Wi-Fi adapter. Restarting is extremely simple: unplug the router from power for about ten to fifteen seconds, and then plug it back into the network. It is worth saying that routers can often fail, which leads to a number of unpleasant problems: a decrease in the speed of a network connection, blocking certain connections or all access to the Internet.

Applying the troubleshooter

Enough in a simple way The solution to network connectivity problems is to use the network troubleshooter. You don't have to go anywhere to get it, download it or search the web, because this remedy represents system utility which is incredibly easy to access. To do this, you will need to do the following:

• go to Options;
• go to the "Update and security" section;
• go to the "Troubleshooting" tab;
• click on "Internet Connections";
• click on the "Run the troubleshooter" button;
• follow the instructions on the screen.

It is worth saying that this system tool, unfortunately, almost never solves any problems that have arisen in any element of the system. However, sometimes the stars do converge in the sky - and a miracle happens. Try this troubleshooter and see if you can connect your Wi-Fi adapter to your wireless network.

Update Wi-Fi Adapter Drivers

You may not be able to use your Wi-Fi adapter normally simply because its drivers are outdated. By updating the drivers, you can get rid of the problems that have arisen with the device. You can run the drivers through the Device Manager:

• press Windows + X;
• select "Device Manager";
• find and open the "Network adapters" section;
• right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter and select "Update driver ...";
• select automatic driver search on the Internet;

After updating the drivers for the Wi-Fi adapter, try connecting to the wireless network of your router again. In most cases, users who experience a similar problem resolve it by updating the driver for the device.

Roll back to a previous driver version

However, even a new version driver may cause problems when using Wi-Fi adapter, however, it all depends on the manufacturer of the device. Possibly the latest version WiFi drivers adapter is extremely unstable, or it is incompatible with your computer. In this case, you can try to roll back the installed driver to a previous version.

You can do this in the same way using the Device Manager:

• get to your Wi-Fi adapter in the list of network devices;
• double click the left mouse button on the Wi-Fi adapter;
• go to the "Driver" tab;
• click on the "Rollback" button;

After rolling back to the previous version of the driver for the Wi-Fi adapter, try using it and connecting to the Wi-Fi network of the router. If it really was the driver, then you will immediately understand this.

Temporarily disable firewall

If none of the above helped you resolve the problem, then your Windows Firewall may be preventing your wireless network connection, which, for some reason, is blocking the network connection. One way or another, you can check this in an elementary way: you just need to take it and disable the system firewall for a while.

You can do this in the following way:

• press Windows + S;
• enter and select the query "Windows Defender Security Center";
• go to the "Firewall and network security" tab;
• deactivate the firewall for the domain network, private network, and public network;

Try using a Wi-Fi adapter and connect to the wireless network provided by your router. We hope that everything finally worked out for you, and your adapter still worked fine.

Found a typo? Select the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Nowadays, almost all devices are equipped with wireless Internet WiFi. But there is a separate niche of devices on the market that are not equipped with wireless Internet - these are personal computers. WiFi devices are required to connect them to the wireless Internet. WiFi on a computer may be required in several cases:

• There is wireless internet in the house, for example, on a smartphone or tablet, and it must be connected to a PC that does not have WiFi;
• The computer already has Internet, but I want to distribute it throughout the apartment in order to save time and money on an additional tariff.

What is a WiFi adapter

The WiFi adapter is used to implement the wireless network function on devices that do not support WiFi. It allows the computer to receive a signal from the wireless network. Now there are two types of adapters: the first can only receive a signal, the second can work in receive mode and in signal transmission mode. Adapters with built-in SoftAP function allow you to create a WiFi hotspot on your computer.

How to choose an adapter

At choosing WiFi adapter, it is important to consider the connection method. There are so-called USB adapters that are very easy to use as they are easy to remove and plug into another computer. There are adapters that use PCI-E interface. This is a set of chips that are inserted into special slots in the system unit. Before buying such an adapter, you first need to check system unit for free PCI-E slots where you can connect the device.

One of the most important criteria in choosing an adapter is the WiFi standard. Today, the recognized wireless communication standard is 802.11n, which guarantees fast data transmission up to 300 Mbps. In addition, there are new communication standards such as 802.11ac. This latest standard can transfer data from 3000 Mbps to 10 Gbps. But at home use there is no need to pay extra money for speed, since 300 Mbps is enough.

It is also worth paying attention to the transceiver. The recommended transmitter power is 20 dBM. If the original transmitter power is lower, then the signal will be very weak, even if the Internet source is within the apartment.

If appearance adapter is not too important, you can purchase an adapter with an external antenna. It is able to receive a signal much better, but has large dimensions. In addition, there are devices with removable external antennas.

When choosing a WiFi adapter, you should pay attention to their frequency. Manufacturers started producing 5 GHz devices, but 2.4 GHz adapters are still common today.

It is also worth paying attention to the presence of the SoftAP function in the adapter. It is recommended to purchase adapters from the same company as the routers that are in the house, as their compatibility will be much better. This will help to avoid various kinds of connection problems.

The adapter is installed in a special slot on the computer. After installation, the adapter must be configured - install the software necessary for operation to implement wireless transmission data. The driver can be installed from the disk that is included with the device, or by downloading from the official website. After installing the driver, you need to configure the network, select the desired parameters and access points.

Types of adapters

External WiFi adapters

You should also take a closer look at the parameters that characterize the power of the antenna (ideally, at least 20 decibels). Thanks to this, it will be possible to clearly capture even the weakest signals. The presence of a connector for an external antenna will be an additional advantage. The antenna can be purchased as a separate device or as a set.

In some adapter models, two antennas can be raised during operation, which will enhance the signal quality and increase the data transfer rate. You can purchase compact models in which the antennas are built into the body of the device itself. The case should preferably have ventilation holes through which heat will be removed. Due to the absence of such holes, the quality of the device may deteriorate greatly.

The main characteristics of the adapter can be found on its packaging. The front side contains information that lists the standards that the device supports, special abilities for quick setup adapter, as well as the choice of protection method. In addition, one of the most important points is the support for multiple connection modes between two computers.

One of the most popular models on the modern market are D-Link DWA-127 and D-Link DWA-566 adapters.

The DWA-127 adapter has a built-in antenna that provides a large wireless connection area, and a special WPS hardware button that serves to auto tuning secure WiFi connection. This adapter provides a good connection to standard devices (IEEE 802.11 marked).

DWA-566 is wireless adapter, which enables high-speed connection of computer devices to the network. At the same time, there is no need to carry out additional laying of an Ethernet cable. This adapter fits all standard slots (x1/x4/x8/x16), has two removable antennas (with a gain of about 2 dBi), is capable of operating in two bands: at a frequency of 2.4 GHz (marking: IEEE 802.11; b/ g/n) and at 5 GHz (marking: IEEE-802.11; a/n). Due to these conditions, the wireless connection can reach speeds up to 300 Mbps.

These adapters can work with WEP/WPA/WPA2 encryption protocols, are fully compatible with secure wireless networks and provide reliable data security.

The package contains the D-LinkManager WC utility, which allows you to configure convenient settings and saves the most frequently used profiles. The DWA-127 is about $22 and the DWA-566 is about $47.

Setting up a WiFi adapter on a computer

For the initial configuration of the WiFi adapter, you will need the following components:

• The WiFi adapter itself;
• CD with drivers and other software;
• User guide.

First you need to install the device in the USB port. It is best to use the ports that are on the back, as they are connected to the motherboard and are already completely ready to go. You can use the ports located on the front side of the system unit, but first make sure that they are in working condition. After the device is connected, a message about the discovery of a new device will appear. Next, you need to install software and driver package. You should also install software utilities, they will not be superfluous, since with the help of them you can adjust network settings and fine-tune them. Next, you need to look at the display of network connections (the network connections icon is located at the bottom of the taskbar). The network connections drop-down box will list the devices that are connected to the PC, you must select the one that was installed in currently. After that, you need to click on the new connection with the left mouse button. In the window of available network connections that opens, click on the new network to enter the password.

The main mistakes when choosing a WiFi adapter

One of the most common mistakes people who come to the store for a new device is that they unconditionally trust sales assistants. In reality, the seller, as a rule, tries not to sell the model that is best suited for the characteristics, but the one for which he can get his percentage. That is why before buying it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the functionality of the selected models and read reviews about them on the Internet.

Another mistake is that people think all adapters are pretty much the same. Actually different models differ from each other in power, characteristics, even from the same manufacturer.

Many people are sure that spending money on expensive devices there is no need. Of course, you can buy an inexpensive device, but its power will be much less than that for which you will have to overpay only a few hundred.

In addition, it is also worth noting one of the biggest misconceptions that absolutely all equipment manufactured in China is of poor quality. In fact, the quality of products does not depend on where the manufacturer is located, but on who ordered the production of these products and from whom.

As practice shows, absolutely any user can configure a wireless network. WiFi adapters are reliable devices that are becoming indispensable for people. Buying an adapter can get rid of many inconveniences such as a large number of wires.

Wireless technologies are becoming more and more part of our daily lives. Until recently, the best way to connect a personal computer  to a local network and the Internet was considered to be a twisted-pair connection, which provides a speed of 100 Mbps (and even higher) and excellent stability. However, progress does not stand still and the market already has a lot of wireless devices capable of providing a fairly fast and reliable connection.

If you already have a wireless router  (aka a router) installed in your home or office that allows you to organize a wireless network, then you will need a wi-fi adapter  to connect a personal computer or smart TV  to it. It will be a good alternative to a wired connection, which requires labor-intensive cabling work.

There are hundreds on the market wifi models adapters . How to choose the right model?

WiFi standards

First of all, you need to decide on the supported wireless standards. Modern devices can support the following standards (in order from slowest to fastest): 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n , 802.11ac .

The 802.11n and 802.11ac standards are the most modern and fastest. At the same time, the 802.11n standard was adopted in 2009 and this moment time, most wireless devices support it. The 802.11ac standard was adopted in 2014. Devices that support this standard are produced less and are usually more expensive. The rest of the standards are considered obsolete, but all modern devices they are also supported for compatibility.

Below is a summary table that reflects the main differences between different standards.

Wireless connection speed

Speed wireless connection depends on the supported standard, as well as on the number of transceiver antennas. In the 802.11n standard, the maximum data transfer rate with one antenna is 150 Mbps, in the 802.11ac standard it is 433 Mbps.

It should be noted that the theoretical data transfer rate in all standards differs significantly from the real one. Firstly, wi-fi devices spend half their time transmitting data and the other half receiving data. Therefore, the theoretical speed must be immediately divided by 2 (which is reflected in the table). Secondly, along with useful information quite a lot of service traffic is transmitted, including the one necessary to ensure  noise immunity.

That is why, even under ideal conditions, the data transfer rate from one device to another will be 2-3 times lower than the theoretical one (the one indicated on the box), depending on the class of the device. Budget models, as a rule, show noticeably more modest results than top-end adapters. In the presence of interference in the form of walls or household appliances, the speed may drop several times more.

Frequency range

Wireless devices can currently operate in two frequency bands - 2.4 and 5 GHz.

Number of antennas

The 802.11n and 802.11ac wireless communication standards provide for the possibility of using multiple antennas (MIMO, from the English Multiple Input Multiple Output), which increases the connection speed by a factor of two. The 802.11n standard allows up to 4 antennas, 802.11ac - up to eight.

For achievement maximum speeds and a stable connection, it is advisable to choose wireless equipment with multiple antennas. As a rule, adapters and routers with multiple antennas are more expensive.

Supported OS and other hardware

Manufacturers wifi adapters, as a rule, release drivers for their devices for most operating systems. However, older versions of operating systems (such as Windows XP) may not be supported. There may also be issues with device support on newer operating systems.

Therefore, when choosing an adapter, be sure to pay attention to the list of supported operating systems.

If you are purchasing an adapter to connect to a TV network , it will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with the list of supported adapters on the manufacturer's website (if available).

Conditional price ranges for wi-fi adapters (note that the pricing policy of manufacturers can vary greatly):

adapters costing up to 1200 rubles. As a rule, these are inexpensive 802.11n adapters that have either an internal antenna or 1-2 external antennas. Declared data transfer rates are from 150 to 300 Mbps. Provide acceptable communication quality at an affordable price.

Adapter - device used for connection various devices between themselves. A wireless adapter is a way to connect the same devices, but without using any wires. Wireless network adapter, or in other words, a wireless access point is a wireless base station. Such a station is designed to provide access to an existing network, and it does not matter if it is wireless or wired. These wireless access points are commonly used to provide access to various mobile devices such as a laptop, printer, etc. Most computers come with built-in hardware to connect to various wireless connections. But it also happens that the adapter for connecting to the network was not installed initially.

In such a situation, you can connect it yourself. It is necessary to choose the type of network adapter in accordance with the computer model and experience in this area. In order to check for the presence of a wireless adapter, you need to make several simple actions: through the Start menu, open the Control Panel, then select the item called Network and Internet Connection, then in this item (or click on the control panel icon) hover over the sub-item called Network connections. The operating system should display all network adapters present. Otherwise, if a certain network device is lit in red - “X”, then this only means that it does not work. Otherwise, if in the section Network connections nothing is displayed

This means that this PC does not have a wireless or wired network device installed. The installed network adapter can be configured to work correctly. If the so-called portable computer already has a wireless network adapter, it is simply turned off. So how do you enable the wireless network adapter on a laptop? In order to enable it, you need to find the adapter switch on your computer. This switch can be located either on the front of the computer, or on the back and front of it. On many laptops, this switch is set to save battery power by turning off the adapter. How to connect a wireless network adapter on a laptop? A method that can be considered the simplest of all existing:

add a USB device for the wireless network. Before purchasing such an adapter, you should make sure that your laptop has a free USB output. In some cases, before installing a wireless networking device, you must first close Windows, that is, turn off the computer. But if there is still such a free exit, then turning off the computer is not at all necessary. After turning off the computer and gaining access to the USB port, you need to insert the disk that came with the adapter into Personal Computer and do everything according to the manufacturer's instructions. The next step is to connect the USB adapter to a free USB port. After a while, the operating system itself will detect new hardware and start installing it, after which it will show information about the completion of this procedure.

The next method is to install a CardBus or CF wireless network adapter. After purchasing a CardBus or CF wireless network, you must insert the CD, also included in the package, and follow the manufacturer's instructions to install the appropriate software (software). After that, you need to insert the USB adapter into the appropriate slot on the computer. Similarly, within a short period of time, the software will recognize the adapter and begin installing the necessary files, after which a notification will be displayed that the installation is complete. After all these steps, you can configure the wireless network. Another way is to install an internal wireless network adapter. These adapters are a little more difficult to install than USB adapters. This task can be done.

This is due to the fact that it is located directly on the computer. In addition, they are installed only in desktop computers, since only in such computers there is a place for it. In the event that there is no experience in disassembling a computer, then this should be done by a specialist technician. Steps to be taken to install such an adapter: Place the CD in your computer and follow the installation instructions; turn off computer; disconnect all cables from the computer; suitable slots can usually be found at the bottom of the computer panel. You need to find a slot and place the purchased adapter there, but before that you need to touch the unpainted panel of the computer. This is necessary in order to discharge static electricity. Disconnect the AC adapter antenna.

After the adapter is securely installed, you need to connect the antenna from the AC adapter. After reassembling the entire computer, you need to turn it on, after which the software will detect new files and start installing them. You can also update the driver for the network adapter to make the network adapter work. For this you need to download required drivers on your computer, then you need to insert the installation CD. Then you need to open the computer properties window, then select Device Manager. In this section, you need to find your adapter and, by right-clicking again, select Update driver. Next, you need to select the option Search for drivers on this computer. After specifying the path to the downloaded drivers, you need to start the installation, then click "ok" and complete the installation.

Wireless connection is “gaining momentum” every day and becoming more and more popular. Due to its mobility and openness, wifi will soon completely replace its “wired brother”.

But, as with any device, malfunctions, problems and other “misunderstandings” are possible in wireless networks. In this article, we will analyze how to fix the adapter problem. wireless networks or an access point that occurs both on windows 7/8 and on windows 10.

Wireless network adapter or access point problem windows 7

One of the most common problems is “No connection”, i.e. the router is turned on, the network is configured, but there is no connection.

In this case, the problem with the wireless network adapter may occur for the following reasons:

1. 1. If all the indicators on the router are on, but there is no connection, check if the network is available on different devices, for example, a phone. If, for example, then the problem lies not in the "wifi adapter" itself - the router, but in the laptop (especially if the list of networks available for connection is empty). To resolve the issue, do the following:

• - if they are outdated, then update accordingly;

1. 2. The network is available, the password is entered, but there is no connection. This situation is possible when the password is entered incorrectly, but the system does not issue an error and saves the network. In this case, to fix the problem with the wireless network adapter or access point, delete the connection and reconnect with the correct security key.
2. 3. One of the most common problems is this. Check your router settings:

In the browser, enter 192.168.1.1: login and password "admin";

If it is enabled, but the problem persists - write down "Statistical IP address";

Also, the solution to the problem of the adapter can be resetting the router settings to factory settings.

1. 4. The network is connected, but the error "No access to the Internet" occurs:

1. 5. Check if wifi distribution is activated on the router. For example, in this item "Enable wireless connection".

Also, the router interface may indicate “Enable wireless broadcasting”, “Enable router wireless broadcasting” or “Enable SSID broadcasting”.

How do I fix a wireless adapter or access point issue?

Now let's look at what to do if the network is unavailable and the indicators on the router are off.

1. 1. Only one "Power" indicator is lit.

This is the most difficult case. Since this situation clearly indicates physical problems on the router. The only thing you can try is a factory reset or use a different power adapter. If it doesn't help, then it will help service center either refund or repair under warranty.

1. 2. The "WiFi" indicator is off.

First, check if there is a “WiFi” button on the back of the router - it can be recessed into the case (for example, on the “Tp-link TL-MR3220” router). If there is no such button, and the indicator is off, try updating the router firmware. Download the latest firmware version from the manufacturer's official website, save a backup copy of the configurations in the router interface (for safety reasons) and update the firmware according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

V otherwise wireless adapter or access point problem most likely caused by physical malfunction router.

1. 3. The "WAN" indicator is off.

In the "WAN" connector, the so-called "provider cable" is connected, which provides Internet access. If the indicator is off, the following causes of the problem are possible:

• - a problem in the cable: the network cable may be “broken”, the connectors are incorrectly crimped, or another physical malfunction;
• - a problem on the provider's side or lack of payment for Internet access. The issue is resolved accordingly at the level technical support internet provider.

Q. What is a wireless LAN adapter?

A. A wireless LAN adapter is a special device that allows communication between a wireless access point and a device: computer, laptop or netbook, tablet PC, smartphone.

Modern portable devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones have this wonderful module "on board", that is, they are already equipped and do not require the installation of third-party modules and brackets. Of course, it happens that a laptop or netbook lacks the power of an internal wireless network adapter to “reach” an access point, or an outdated B or G standard is used, the throughput of which is significantly less than or equal to 54 Mbps. Often, such moments upset the owners of old equipment. There is only one way out of this situation - the purchase of an external wireless network adapter. The USB adapter has good power and uses the modern N standard, which allows you to get speeds up to 100 Mbps within a wireless network. Of course, the range also becomes larger, which allows you to connect to access points at a distance of up to 100-150 m.

With personal computers, the situation is a bit more complicated. There are 2 main types of wireless network adapters for PCs: the most popular - with USB interface and its older brother is a PCI adapter, which is installed in a special slot on the motherboard.

PCI adapters are older and an order of magnitude cheaper than USB adapters, less convenient, although simply not designed for portability, and cause horror in the eyes of beginners or ordinary users PC. Although, it is worth noting that they work stably, quickly, have a good range, and support b\g\n standards. Install once and work happily ever after.

Adapters with a USB interface are more expensive only because of their "friendliness" to all categories of users. Because nowadays everyone knows how and where to “plug in” a flash drive. These devices work with all standards: b\g\n. They can have dimensions that do not exceed the dimensions of the most ordinary flash drive.

So, wireless LAN adapters are internal and external, have different power and bandwidth, work with different standards: outdated b / g and with the current n.

Wireless connection is “gaining momentum” every day and becoming more and more popular. Due to its mobility and openness, wifi will soon completely replace its “wired brother”.

But, as with any device, malfunctions, problems and other “misunderstandings” are possible in wireless networks. In this article, we will analyze how to fix the problem of a wireless network adapter or access point that occurs on both windows 7/8 and windows 10.

Wireless network adapter or access point problem windows 7

One of the most common problems is “No connection”, i.e. the router is turned on, the network is configured, but there is no connection.

In this case, the problem with the wireless network adapter may occur for the following reasons:

1. 1. If all indicators on the router are on, but there is no connection, check if the network is available on different devices, such as a phone. If, for example, the problem lies not in the wifi adapter"- a router, but in a laptop (especially if the list of networks available for connection is empty). To resolve the issue, do the following:

• - if they are outdated, then update accordingly;

• - if the update did not help, delete the wifi module in the "Device Manager", restart the computer and install the driver again;
• - use the "NetAdapter Repair" utility: this program designed to find and fix errors in the network, easy to manage and indispensable in solving such problems;
• 
  
• - if the above measures did not help - there may be problems at the physical level in the network adapter: try and check the performance of the network adapter.

1. 2. The network is available, the password is entered, but there is no connection. This situation is possible when the password is entered incorrectly, but the system does not issue an error and saves the network. In this case, to fix the problem with the wireless network adapter or access point, delete the connection and reconnect with the correct security key.
2. 3. One of the most common problems is this. Check your router settings:

In the browser, enter 192.168.1.1: login and password "admin";

If it is enabled, but the problem persists - write down "Statistical IP address";

Also, the solution to the problem of the adapter can be resetting the router settings to factory settings.

1. 4. The network is connected, but the error "No access to the Internet" occurs:

1. 5. Check if it is activated on the router wifi distribution. For example, in this item "Enable wireless connection".

Also, the router interface may indicate “Enable wireless broadcasting”, “Enable router wireless broadcasting” or “Enable SSID broadcasting”.

How do I fix a wireless adapter or access point issue?

Now let's look at what to do if the network is unavailable and the indicators on the router are off.

1. 1. Only one "Power" indicator is lit.

This is the most difficult case. Since this situation clearly indicates physical problems on the router. The only thing you can try is a factory reset or use a different power adapter. If it doesn’t help, then only the service center will help or return, or repair under warranty.

1. 2. The "WiFi" indicator is off.

First, check if there is a “WiFi” button on the back of the router - it can be recessed into the case (for example, on the “Tp-link TL-MR3220” router). If there is no such button, and the indicator is off, try updating the router firmware. Download latest version firmware from the manufacturer's official website, save it in the router interface backup configurations (to be on the safe side) and update the firmware according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Otherwise, the problem with the wireless adapter or access point is most likely caused by a physical malfunction of the router.

1. 3. The "WAN" indicator is off.

In the "WAN" connector, the so-called "provider cable" is connected, which provides Internet access. If the indicator is off, the following causes of the problem are possible:

• - a problem in the cable: the network cable may be “broken”, the connectors are incorrectly crimped, or another physical malfunction;
• - a problem on the provider's side or lack of payment for Internet access. The issue is accordingly resolved at the level of technical support of the Internet provider.

When the operating system is reinstalled, the user may encounter the problem of missing network driver. Without this driver, neither wireless nor wired network can run. If you have a disk, there are no problems, just install the program. And in its absence, you need to find, for example, a mobile phone / tablet with a connected network in order to download the driver. To avoid such problems, when reinstalling the operating system, you must adhere to correct algorithm actions.

The driver is the link between the operating system and the internal components of the computer, that is, this program connects the OS to the motherboard, video and network cards, and office equipment. These programs are developed by the same companies that produce PC hardware and electronic office equipment that the personal computer interacts with. When buying a computer, the user does not think about various drivers because they are already preinstalled in the system. But, for example, after the first reinstallation of the OS or the purchase of a new computer, the user will be faced with their absence.

1. Even on a new, just from the store, computer, the operating system may be missing, and as a result, the driver.
2. When the operating system is installed/reinstalled.
3. When it happens system failure and the driver stops working.

In this regard, it may be advised to keep full set drivers in a separate folder on a PC or download them to a flash card. In this case, you don't have to search mobile device to go to the official pages of manufacturers' websites and from there download a program that will automatically install the missing drivers.

Installing the network driver

Step 1. Hardware identification

Step 2: Install/Update Network Adapter Driver

To install a missing or latest version of the driver, use the "Device Manager". Do the same for the last step Update drivers».

How to do it! In Device Manager, you can uninstall old version network driver. Agree with the choice, and the system will remove the network device driver that was previously installed on your computer.

Even yesterday everything was fine, you enjoyed high-speed Internet, and today you turn it on in the morning, and the computer does not see the network card. However, think about it here. The first thing that comes to mind is that it is out of order, you need to urgently run to the technomarket for a new spare part.

That's why it's a good idea to always buy two absolutely identical system units at once. In order to be able to troubleshoot in case of problems by replacing suspicious modules with known good ones.

This is the path for advanced users and computer geeks. A mere mortal user often cannot afford such excesses. In this case, one should remember the folk wisdom: “The strong and courageous goes quickly and easily, but the weak and timid - long and hard.”

Decryption - if there is nothing to check the equipment, you will have to check all the problem areas consistently and methodically.

The computer does not see the network card - the main reasons

1. The board itself is defective.
2. Operating system malfunctions.
3. Corrupted network drivers.
4. Changed network connection settings.
5. Antivirus or Windows Firewall interference.

In fact, Chinese electronics do not deteriorate as often as Chinese shoes. Therefore, if you did not drop the system unit on the floor, did not climb inside and did not switch anything there, the probability of failure of the network card itself is extremely small. Most likely the settings have changed.

Go to Control PanelAll Control Panel ItemsNetwork and Sharing Center and change the settings

But the Windows operating system is not only smart and quick-witted, but also a rather fragile organization. A sudden power outage can easily cause serious damage system files and connection settings.

Recovery options

1. Do Windows Rollback to an early restore point. It is quite possible that after carrying out such an operation and rebooting the computer, everything will work for you. And not only the network card will appear, but something else good will restore its performance. Sometimes recovery needs to be done several times. Anyway - it's better and safer than starting to rearrange the blocks and buses in the system unit. What’s more, you don’t need to buy anything yet.
2. A more radical remedy is a complete rearrangement of the operating room. Windows systems. This path may turn out to be the most rational, provided that your system has been standing for quite some time and recently you have begun to notice a general deterioration in the performance of your computer. Regular cleanings do not give tangible improvements? It's time to update Windows. New RAMs, Seven and Eight are reinstalled within half an hour, so there are no problems.

Why is it useful to reinstall Windows? Because the distribution kit includes all the drivers necessary for work. When installing the system in automatic mode, all necessary settings for all devices, and the user does not need to do anything other than press the Enter button from time to time. Updating drivers separately is not an easy task. More suitable for advanced users.

In addition, to reinstall the drivers you will need an Internet connection, which is just not there. If there are backup Internet connections, you are sure that you are able to find exactly the driver for the network card that you need - then try this way.

You can download a whole package of drivers from the manufacturer's official website and then let the computer determine the most suitable option for you. automatic order, using the Driver Installation Wizard.

If the problem really was with the driver, after the update, the computer should return to normal.

The network card was not found by the computer and is not installed as a device

When you connect a new element to your computer, the operating system detects the connection and then tries to set it up on its own as expected. Sometimes automatic connection does not occur and then you need to make manual installation and setting.

Go to the Control Panel and select the menu item Install New Hardware. The New Hardware Connection Wizard interface will open. There are two options to choose from:

1. The device is already connected to the computer.
2. The device is not connected yet.

Try the “connected” option and look for your lost device in the list that opens. If it's not on the list, it means the computer hasn't found it yet. Then click “not yet connected” and reboot the system. You can do this - turn off the computer, then open the system unit, disconnect and reattach the network card, perhaps the contact has deteriorated.

After starting the system, repeat the procedures with the Found New Hardware Wizard. If the device appears in the list of connected devices, continue the configuration through all the steps of the Wizard.

Incompatible driver update

Sometimes the reason for the inoperability of the card may be an unsuccessful windows update. Or, during the download automatic update there were disruptions in the Internet connection, some of the files were loaded with violations. Then you need to reinstall the old driver.

If you have a distribution of OS Windows, it is best to take the file directly from the disk. Did everything work before? Either search previous version online drivers.

viral infection

Sometimes a virus infection becomes the reason for the disappearance of a network card from sight. Scan your computer with an antivirus. Try to cure the system using Dr. Web CureIt. If it's a virus, everything will be fine.

One of the problems that the user may encounter after reinstalling Windows– lack of a driver for the network adapter (network driver) for a wired or wireless network.

And if there is no driver disk at hand, you will have to look for the driver and download it using another device that has Internet access.

In this article, we will consider an algorithm that will avoid the troubles that may arise after installing the OS.

What is a driver? This is the program by which the computer's operating system communicates with the device's hardware ( motherboard, video card, network card, printer, scanner, MFP, etc.).

Drivers are developed by companies that produce computer components and peripherals that interact with a PC (for example, office equipment).

Often, modern operating systems (including Windows 7) already have a certain set of drivers that allow you to work with the main components of the computer, we will consider the case when such programs are not available.

A feature of the situation when the network driver is not installed is the inability to use programs for automatic installation drivers, since they all use the Internet connection for their work, and since the network driver is not installed, there is no access to the Internet.

The user, as a rule, encounters the installation of network adapter drivers in the following cases:

1. After buying a new computer and the absence of an installed OS on it.

2. After installing the operating system.

3. After the failure of the network adapter drivers.

To solve the problems that arise in the first case, you need to look for the disks that come with the computer. On the driver disk motherboard and find what we need.

In the past few years, a trend has clearly formed that involves the rejection of the use of optical drives not only among laptop manufacturers, but also desktop PCs.

Users who independently choose the components from which their computer will be assembled also refuse to install a DVD drive.

Advice! We recommend that you download all the necessary drivers (not just network drivers) to a separate directory on your hard drive and/or flash drive. This will avoid situations when, after installing the operating system, you will need to look for a drive or PC (tablet, phone) to download drivers from a disk or the Internet.

Installing the network driver

The driver installation procedure can be conditionally divided into 2 stages: hardware identification and driver installation.

In order to identify manufacturers and specific models equipment, a coding system for models and brands of computer components was developed.

As a rule, the code for the network adapter is as follows: PCI/VEN_xxxx&DEV_xxxx&SUBSYS_xxxxxx, where VEN_xxxx is the equipment manufacturer's identifier (Vendor ID), DEV_xxxx is the equipment model code (Device ID).

Step 1. Hardware identification

In order to find out the code, click Start, enter "Device Manager" in the search field and go to the appropriate menu.

Next, you need to find the "Network adapters" or "Other devices" submenu and right-click on one of the submenu items, for example, in our case it will be "Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller".

Step 2: Install/Update Network Adapter Driver

After we have learned the equipment identifier, we should copy its name (right-click - copy) and enter it in the browser search field. Downloading necessary program, you can start installing it.

Similar actions will be in case of updating the network driver.

To install / update the network adapter driver, you need to go to the "Device Manager" as described earlier. Select the required item and context menu, which is available by clicking the right mouse button, select the item "Update drivers ...".

Select "Search for driver software on this computer".

We go to the directory in which we recently downloaded everything we need, using the "Browse" button, click "Next" and wait for the end of the driver installation process.

There is also an opinion that if you update (reinstall) the network driver, you must first uninstall the old one, after which you should install the new one.

Important! To delete already installed driver you need to go to the "Device Manager", select the network adapter, right-click and select "Delete" in the context menu. After that, the system will warn that the device driver will be removed, agree by clicking "OK".

Driver Updater by Carambis

If you need to search universal programs, which are able to function on different operating systems: we mean utilities for creating group policies, programs for cleaning the system from viruses and, of course, software for working with OS drivers - the best solution would be to use Carambis programs driver updater.

Thanks to Driver Updater, you can not only get the software you need, but also save a lot of money. After all, one purchase of a subscription allows you to connect two computers at once.

As for the process of work, the utility does an excellent job with the tasks. Now you do not need to fix the errors of the connected hardware components on each computer.

Setting automatic search and installing updates now independently updates all devices.