Why is my computer losing wifi signal?

Asked by gemiwing (14718

) June 18th, 2010

I’m running a Toshiba Satellite with Vista. I will be online (wirelessly) when suddenly my connection goes to local only, then nothing. I click on ‘search for networks’ and nothing shows up. Usually there are about ten networks close to me, of varying degrees of strength/reception.

My computer sees none of them, and my router seems fine- as Hubbs isn’t having this issue.

So I think the problem is in the settings on my computer. It’s set to find DNS/etc automatically. I went, checked the settings- then two minutes later went to look at them again and they had changed. Now it was set to a specific IP and the options I had clicked were changed as well.

My drivers are all up-to-date as well.

My wifi is turned on, everything seems normal- until the computer has a blip and decides to not look at any networks. I hooked the laptop to a hard line and it was fine for about five minutes- then it too went blank.

Anyone have any ideas/thoughts/tricks? This is all confusing the hell out of me.

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4 Answers

I would try uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers for the wireless adapter. Also depending on the company i would use the windows wireless access tool as opposed to Toshibas wireless assistant if you happen to be using that.

If those don’t work a good reformat usually does the trick (although it’s a pain in the butt).

tomminix (36

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I don’t think it is a computer problem. I think it is a router problem. Your computer is a passive recipient of the ip address from the DHCP server.

dpworkin (27090

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@tomminix In general, would you recommend the windows wireless access tool as opposed to the ones offered by manufacturers (e.g. Toshiba, Dell)?

Dr_Dredd (10540

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Do you have other devices connecting to your router? I had a similar prob. Turns out my laptop liked 802.11b, despite being capable of 802.11g. My phone was the opposite. Protocol 802.11g has the router pause transmitting in 802.11b until 802.11g is done. My phone would communicate for minutes at a time on g, and block my laptop which wanted b. I set the router to transmit only in 802.11g. All is well now.

RocketGuy (15524

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