Windows cannot find any networks.

aazndud3hvu

New Member
Hi. I'm having a problem with my laptop, Dell Inpirion 1420. Before, as always, when I turn my laptop on it automatic links up to a wireless connection that I applied to previously. But now, my laptop is not able to find any wireless connection from any router near by; at all. This never happened before. I search Dell Support forum and was unable to find the answer. I checked. The wireless card is properly installed. I do not know what to do. My laptop simply "cannot find networks." PLEASE HELP! ANYONE!
 

My Computer

Has you laptop ever seen more than one network where you usually use it? If not, it may be a problem with your network, not your computer. Check to make sure you can get your internet on another computer. If you can, then the problem is indeed on your laptop.

It could be that your network card in your laptop died. You can check this by using a third party adapter for a laptop. Let us know if you can find networks using this method.

~Lordbob
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5QC
    Memory
    2x2GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9500GT 1Gb
    Sound Card
    Mobo
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 206bw
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SP2514N ATA 250Gb 7200RPM
    Samsung [Model] 1Tb 7200RPM SATA2
    PSU
    Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W
    Keyboard
    Razer Tarantula
    Mouse
    Razer Lachesis
    Internet Speed
    not fast enough
Yes, my laptop have seen more than one network before. I have a router in my house on the 1st floor and that is the primary source for all wireless connection in my house. My computer desktop is able to connect with the router but not the laptop. When I try to connect it to my network it just says: Window cannot any networks" which is odd because there is a lot of network connections nearby. I do not have a third party adapter though. What should I do in this case.
 

My Computer

Has you laptop ever seen more than one network where you usually use it? If not, it may be a problem with your network, not your computer. Check to make sure you can get your internet on another computer. If you can, then the problem is indeed on your laptop.

It could be that your network card in your laptop died. You can check this by using a third party adapter for a laptop. Let us know if you can find networks using this method.

~Lordbob


Yes, my laptop have seen more than one network before. I have a router in my house on the 1st floor and that is the primary source for all wireless connection in my house. My computer desktop is able to connect with the router but not the laptop. When I try to connect it to my network it just says: Window cannot any networks" which is odd because there is a lot of network connections nearby. I do not have a third party adapter though. What should I do in this case.
 

My Computer

Ok, so yeah. Try the third party adapter. You could go buy a cheap one, and ask if you can return it if it doesn't work out. They may let you, I don't know.

Ok, so your desktop can sense your network, but your laptop cannot. So we now know this is a problem with your laptop, not router. Narrowing it down. Now, before you try the third party adapter, try plugging in your laptop to the router by a hard wire. (or LAN cable or ethernet cable. all the same) If you can get internet then, we will know for absolute sure that it is your laptop wireless.

Let us know how that works. If you CAN get internet that way, then buying a third party adapter should fix your problem. If it doesnt, then i cant help you anymore.

Hope it works,
~Lordbob
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5QC
    Memory
    2x2GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9500GT 1Gb
    Sound Card
    Mobo
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 206bw
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SP2514N ATA 250Gb 7200RPM
    Samsung [Model] 1Tb 7200RPM SATA2
    PSU
    Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W
    Keyboard
    Razer Tarantula
    Mouse
    Razer Lachesis
    Internet Speed
    not fast enough
This issue does ring a bell to me, as I got once the same with my Inspiron 1720

My problem was that the tiny wireless switch located at the bottom left on my laptop was, for any unknown reason, switched off, thus no wireless was ever activated, until I figured this out by chance...

When you go into your network connections or in the device manager, is your wireless card enabled and active?

vicber

edit: just realize your post is dated two days ago, you might already have fixed your problem ;)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP TouchSmart IQ818d
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo [email protected]
    Motherboard
    Pegatron IMISR-CF
    Memory
    4 Go 200 pin DDR2 SO-DIMM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9600M GS 512 Mb DDR3
    Sound Card
    SoundMAX Integrated High Definition audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    25.5 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1900 x 1200 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    -640 Gb SATA 3G
    -2Tb LaCie FW400
    -500 Gb Linksys MediaHub NMH405
    -2x1Tb WD MyBook Home connected on WD TV
    Internet Speed
    Starhub MaxOnline Ultimate 100Mb - Paying USD 66.00 for that
Not yet we haven't. :(

But that is a realistic possibility, and people have done stupider things than that. (Me too) Might want to check if it is on, as well as enabled.

~Lordbob
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5QC
    Memory
    2x2GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9500GT 1Gb
    Sound Card
    Mobo
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 206bw
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SP2514N ATA 250Gb 7200RPM
    Samsung [Model] 1Tb 7200RPM SATA2
    PSU
    Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W
    Keyboard
    Razer Tarantula
    Mouse
    Razer Lachesis
    Internet Speed
    not fast enough
Had exact same problem with my sons Vista laptop. Our solution was in the driver for the wireless card. In the properties->settings, the "Location" field had been changed (by rogue software) to "Antigua, Bahamas" instead of "United Kingdom" and as a result, the frequency for which the card was hunting was wrong and therefore couldn't find any networks. Changed it back to "UK" and its fine. Suspect this was caused by software "driver detective".
 

My Computer

Sorry for the more than a year reply, but I just wanted to provide an update to this issue. The fix, as I've found, is that there is a "SWITCH" that turns the wireless on/off. And this dang "SWITCH" isn't mentioned in any dang manual. What's up with that. I have a Toshiba Satellite A205-S5000. Man this is crazy. I bet even the Technician didn't know the answer to this issue. Ok, happy pc,ing.
 

My Computer

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