Device doesn't connect to Wi−Fi (Windows)

Windows OS offers a troubleshooter designed to resolve issues like this one. All you need to do is the following:

1. Go to the start menu and type identify and repair network problems.
2. Wait for the troubleshooter to scan your computer (i.e. the network card) and follow the instructions.
   
   

Note: Another way to access the troubleshooter is to right-click the network icon in the notification area (in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen) and then select Troubleshoot problems.

Maybe the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden. In order to connect to hidden networks, you need to enter the router's details (SSID and wi-fi password) manually.

There are two ways of connecting to hidden Wi-Fi networks:

• Via the Notification area

1. Click on the network-bar icon (in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen) and click on Hidden Network.
2. Type the network name and click Next.
3. Type the password and click Next.
4. Follow any additional instructions, should there be any.

• Via the Network and Sharing Center

1. Go to the start menu and type Network and Sharing Center;
2. Click on Set up a new connection or network;
3. Select Manually connect to a wireless network and click on Next.
4. Enter the Wi-Fi network's (router's) information, i.e. the SSID, password, etc. for your network in the appropriate fields.

Note: In the Security type field you need to choose the type of security used by the hidden wireless network, which can be found on the router's label on the bottom side, closely to the model number. Also, Windows may or may not ask you to also specify an encryption type, depending on the security type you choose. Please bear in mind that WPA 2 - Personal (or WPA 2 - PSK) is frequently and widely used these days.

Note: If you want to connect to this network automatically, check the check box next to Start this connection automatically. Also, you can check the check box next to Connect even if the network is not broadcasting.

Maybe the driver is out of date. All you need to do is to go to your device's manufacturer's website and download the latest drivers (see the don't know how to download and install drivers guide).

Alternatively, you can update the driver through the Device Manager:

1. Go to the start menu, type Device Manager and click on it once it appears;
2. Expand the Network adapters menu;
3. Right-click the network adapter and click on Update Driver Software...
4. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

Consider this as an option, especially if you reset your router and entered the same wireless network name (and password), but, before that, you were able to connect to that Wi-Fi network. You need to remove it from your computer's saved Wi-Fi passwords list, i.e. "forget" the network, and reconnect to it.

To delete saved networks, follow the steps below:

1. Click on the start menu and select Settings (the gear icon);
2. Click on Wi-Fi and select Manage known networks;
3. Click on the Wi-Fi network you can't connect to and select Forget;
4. Select the network, click on Connect, enter the username and password and click on Next.

Note: If you use Windows 7, right click the Wi-Fi network icon in the bottom right-hand corner and click on Network and Sharing Center. Then, click on Manage wireless networks (on the left side of the window), select the network you want to "forget" and click the (-) remove button.