Laptop WiFi adapter is detected but laptop is unable to find WiFi networks

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Mudit Rawat 07

Mudit Rawat 07

Honorable
Sep 25, 2013
116
0
10,710
Hey everyone!
After a fair amount of browsing through the internet and working on the issue myself, I thought I'd ask y'all over here at TH.

So basically I own an ancient Lenovo 3000 G430 with Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit installed, it is running a Pentium T4200 and 2 GB of RAM.

Here's the issue; The laptop won't detect any WiFi signals within the area, I am living in an apartment so there are at least 5-7 connections to choose from but the laptop won't find any. The internet is working fine, currently running chrome on it, using an android usb tether.

I've reinstalled the drivers using device manager, updated drivers using driver booster and it doesn't seem to work. In device manager the WiFi adapter is showing that it is working properly. The network adapter is made by broadcom (simply says 802.11g network adapted in device manager).

I am clueless at this point and would like to know your guys' opinions and suggestions for fixing the damn thing, thank you!
 
Solution
Solandri
Most laptops also have a switch to turn the WiFi card on/off. On some it's a physical switch, but on most it's a software switch. Usually one of the Fn+function hotkeys. If those keys aren't working (other stuff like volume control, brightness control, etc), you're going to have to find the appropriate driver on Lenovo's support site to get them working.

Sometimes going to the network adapter settings will show that it's been disabled. But on most laptops this WiFi on/off switch seems to bypass the adapter settings.

The other possibility is that the antenna leads have popped off, which is a pretty easy fix. Most laptops have 2 antennas, though a few have 3. You only need one to get WiFi working, though signal strength may be...
Sort by date Sort by votes
Mudit Rawat 07

Mudit Rawat 07

Honorable
Sep 25, 2013
116
0
10,710


I guess I should've been more clear with what I was trying to say.
I meant that there are plenty of WiFi networks here but the laptop can't find any. Of course I will be connecting to my own WiFi connection.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solandri

Solandri

Illustrious
Jan 4, 2012
4,919
98
39,240
Most laptops also have a switch to turn the WiFi card on/off. On some it's a physical switch, but on most it's a software switch. Usually one of the Fn+function hotkeys. If those keys aren't working (other stuff like volume control, brightness control, etc), you're going to have to find the appropriate driver on Lenovo's support site to get them working.

Sometimes going to the network adapter settings will show that it's been disabled. But on most laptops this WiFi on/off switch seems to bypass the adapter settings.

The other possibility is that the antenna leads have popped off, which is a pretty easy fix. Most laptops have 2 antennas, though a few have 3. You only need one to get WiFi working, though signal strength may be weaker in some orientations with just one antenna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkEvKwVrAxA

Or that the antenna leads have broken or the WiFi card has died. In that case I'd just replace the laptop since it's so old.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom