Windows – Can’t connect to Internet through WiFi, but can with cable

networkingrouterwindows 7wireless-networking

I'm using Windows 7 32-bit, Toshiba Portege laptop.

I want to connect to the WiFi, usually I can do that easily. But, I don't know.. maybe when I tried to install a Microsoft Research: Mesh Virtual WiFi that could connect more than 2 wireless networks. I wanna try in connecting both Wireless router and my personal Ad-Hoc.

Now, my laptop don't recognize my WiFi, well, I can connect to the WiFi but it says: "Limited access" and doesn't really connect to the internet. But when I plug the LAN cable, it works. I know the problem is in the laptop's wireless connection or in the properties. Any help for this?

UPDATE: The IP and DNS settings, I set to automatic, and when I ran diagnostic, Windows tells me that the wireless network adapter is the problem, but they told me to insert the LAN cable, so how to fix the wireless? They didn't tell me how to fix that.

Best Answer

Remove the Wireless adapter's drivers.

  1. Press Windows Key + R to get the Run command.
  2. Type devmgmt.msc and press Ok or hit Enter
  3. Locate your wireless adapter by expanding out Computer Name -> Network Adapters and look for something that may indicate WiFi adapter.
  4. Single, left click on the adapter and press Delete
  5. If there is a Confirm Device Uninstall Press Ok to confirm you want to uninstall the device. ***See foot note
  6. Reboot.
  7. Driver should automatically re-add and say new hardware found. After the WiFi adapter has been reinstalled verify if the connection works.

An alternative solution to determine if it is the WiFi adapter or your WiFi access point is to download something like Ubuntu. It is small and can be installed on a thumb drive. Boot from the thumb drive and verify that wireless works through it. If it does we can establish that this is a Windows issue and not a hardware/router issue.

*** If after reboot this does not work go back through the steps again and check "Delete the driver software for this device" and click Ok on the Confirm Device uninstall. Ensure you have the driver downloaded in the event that Microsoft Update may not have the driver. You may have to point to the location of the driver on re-installation.

Related Question