When using Windows 10 to get online, you may run into an odd situation where you cannot connect to a wireless network: the network name is clearly visible in the network list, yet when you try to connect you get a message saying Windows cannot connect to this network. The causes can be many and varied, so the fix depends on the specific situation. If this happens to you, try the solutions below.
- Resetting the wireless driver
The most common cause lies in the wireless driver, and the fix is also the simplest. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager from the menu. In the Device Manager window, expand the Network adapters branch, find the entry representing your wireless network adapter, right-click it, and select Update driver to update the wireless driver. After updating the driver, restart the system and see whether you can get online.
- Resetting the modem, router, and computer. Sometimes the system assigns itself an IP address automatically, and this address is called APIPA (Automatic Private IP Address). APIPA is a reserved address block with the range 254.0.0~169.254.255.255. It is used when a DHCP server cannot be found because of a network failure. If APIPA is not being used properly, you need to reset the modem, router, computer, and other devices. If you still cannot get online after updating the driver, try resetting the modem and router. First, turn off the modem, router, and computer and wait at least one minute; then turn on the modem and wait until all its indicator lights come on; after that, turn on the router and wait until all its indicator lights come on. Finally, turn on the computer, start Windows, and try whether the network can be connected.
- Using the hardware and devices troubleshooter. If the methods above still cannot get you connected to the network, we need to make use of the built-in Troubleshoot feature to seek help. Click the Start button, then click Settings. In the Settings window, click Update & Security, select Troubleshoot in the Update & Security list, then click Hardware and devices in the right-hand pane, and right after that click Run the troubleshooter below that item. Then follow the wizard’s prompts and see whether the wireless connection problem can be resolved. Besides the troubleshooter wizard above, we can also run network troubleshooting commands to solve three kinds of network-related problems. Do this in the Win+R Run window, or in an administrator Command Prompt window. To solve Internet connection problems, run the following command: msdt.exe -id NetworkDiagnosticsWeb. An Internet Connections troubleshooting wizard window will then open; click Next and follow the prompts. ● To solve incoming connection and firewall problems, run the following command: msdt.exe -id NetworkDiagnosticsInbound. The Incoming Connections wizard window will then start; likewise click Next and follow the wizard’s prompts. ● To solve network adapter problems, run the following command: msdt.exe -id NetworkDiagnosticsNetworkAdapter. The Network Adapter troubleshooter starts; click Next and follow the wizard’s prompts.
- Changing the wireless network security scheme. Raising the security protocol level makes a network more secure, but sometimes such a setting may in turn prevent a connection. In that case, lower the security standard appropriately, for example from WPA to WEP. Although this allows only a 10-character password, it may solve the connection problem. To set the network security scheme, use the router’s management address to enter the router’s setup interface through a web browser, then make the corresponding change from the Security Type menu. The setup interface may differ from one router to another.
Performing a network reset. If none of the above resolves the problem, a network reset can finally solve it completely. First, enter the system settings window through the Settings button in the Start menu, and select Network & Internet. Next, in the network settings, select Status in the left-hand column, then find Reset network in the list in the right-hand pane and click it. Finally, click the Reset now button to perform the network reset. A network reset removes all network adapters and reinstalls them, and returns other network components to their original settings.
