Laptop won't connect to Wifi at work.

LeafsCanefan · Oct 15, 2015

I have an Asus laptop running Windows 7. I can't connect to my work wifi, but it works fine at home. I even tried my Mobile Hotspot at work and it connects fine. It shows that I have connections available but when I type in the security key, it says it can't connect to the Internet. The fix is to reset the router, but everything else is working fine. I can't reset the router without affecting our server. Any suggestions for someone who isn't tech savvy?

Ralston18 · Oct 16, 2015

Leafs...

Talk with the IT admins at work. You need to have their involvement and concurrence to go forward. Especially with respect to being provided the appropriate security key.

You do not want to be violating any applicable company/work policies.

And this forum does not permit providing any workarounds.

LeafsCanefan · Oct 17, 2015

Ralston18 :

LeafsCanefan · Oct 17, 2015

Thanks Ralston18. Unfortunately, there is no IT. We are a 6 person oncology office. I am as close as you get to IT, and can't justify paying a local person to come in when everything else seems to connect without a problem. I just hoped there was some setting on my laptop that I wasn't aware of which might need reconfiguring.

Ralston18 · Oct 17, 2015

If you are sure you are typing in the correct security key ("ones" not "l's, "ohs" not "zeros", correct capitalization, etc. then the next thing I would look at is the adapter configuration in your laptop.

Has it ever worked before - do not believe so as I understand the context of your posts.

In your laptop adapter settings you need to match the settings expected by the router. One way to do that is to look at the settings on another working wireless computer in your office.

It appears that you have some sense of what is needed. There is no harm in going in and looking things over. Anything that does not appear "correct" can be addressed directly with additional posts or some googling about for more information. Are you familiar with the "ipconfig /all" command via the command prompt? Very useful towards finding out how a device is configured for network use.

Do you have access rights to the router? Not to change things but to at least look at the settings. Perhaps the router is set up to only allow existing office devices to connect to the internet. You might need to add your laptop to the list.

Go online and see if you can get the user manual for your router. Reading through the manual may help you understand your overall network a bit more and spot the problem. You can do the same with respect to the adapter on you laptop.

If you notice anything that seems "mismatched" and could prevent internet access, make a note of that and post accordingly.

Include some additional information: make and model of your router and whatever information you can glean with respect to your laptop's wireless adapter.

For now the goal is just to familiarize a bit more and see if something brings about one of those "Eureka" moments.

Just be careful not to change anything - "CANCEL" is your friend - just back out if anything uncertain develops.

Your data and network must remain secure, protected, and backed up. That is paramount.

If any or all the above actions are too uncomfortable or risky for your situation then paying someone to fix it is most likely the best choice.

Judgement call that can only be left to you.

LeafsCanefan · Oct 22, 2015

Ralston18 :

If you are sure you are typing in the correct security key ("ones" not "l's, "ohs" not "zeros", correct capitalization, etc. then the next thing I would look at is the adapter configuration in your laptop.

Has it ever worked before - do not believe so as I understand the context of your posts.

In your laptop adapter settings you need to match the settings expected by the router. One way to do that is to look at the settings on another working wireless computer in your office.

It appears that you have some sense of what is needed. There is no harm in going in and looking things over. Anything that does not appear "correct" can be addressed directly with additional posts or some googling about for more information. Are you familiar with the "ipconfig /all" command via the command prompt? Very useful towards finding out how a device is configured for network use.

Do you have access rights to the router? Not to change things but to at least look at the settings. Perhaps the router is set up to only allow existing office devices to connect to the internet. You might need to add your laptop to the list.

Go online and see if you can get the user manual for your router. Reading through the manual may help you understand your overall network a bit more and spot the problem. You can do the same with respect to the adapter on you laptop.

If you notice anything that seems "mismatched" and could prevent internet access, make a note of that and post accordingly.

Include some additional information: make and model of your router and whatever information you can glean with respect to your laptop's wireless adapter.

For now the goal is just to familiarize a bit more and see if something brings about one of those "Eureka" moments.

Just be careful not to change anything - "CANCEL" is your friend - just back out if anything uncertain develops.

Your data and network must remain secure, protected, and backed up. That is paramount.

If any or all the above actions are too uncomfortable or risky for your situation then paying someone to fix it is most likely the best choice.

Judgement call that can only be left to you.

LeafsCanefan · Oct 22, 2015

Thanks again Ralston 18. You lost me after the first paragraph. I think I will wait until we have tech support in and see if they can figure it out.

Ralston18 · Oct 23, 2015

Leafs,

Apologies: did not intend to "lose" you - however such is the nature of things sometimes...

Hopefully you can make a list of "taskings" and questions before the IT folks arrive. Gives them some direction and specific objectives to determine when the job is finished.

Hopefully you will get a tech support person who will have a few extra minutes to provide some explanation to you.

It is to your benefit to at least have some further understanding of the bigger picture. Start a 3-ring binder in which to keep system information. Documentation is often lacking in small business IT environments. Diagrams, repairs, upgrades - anything related to your network and devices.

Not life and death per se but I am sure you understand the need for medical documentation. Somewhat the same as so much depends on your IT environment.

As the defacto IT person that system documentation information will be helpful for you and future IT tech visits. Even if it is not all understandable in some ways. Also give some thought to disaster recovery planning. E.g., total loss of your server.

In any case, make sure that the backups are being done, safely stored with copies off-site, and, most importantly, quickly and fully retrievable.

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Laptop won't connect to Wifi at work.

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