I recently got a new computer and decided to clean the inside for the first time. I turned off the power supply and unplugged everything before starting. I just removed some dust, not anything deep, using a microfiber cloth. However, when I turned everything back on, my computer wouldn't recognize the WiFi network. It says something like, 'It can't connect to the red' (I believe 'red' is Spanish for 'network'). I'm worried that I might have accidentally disconnected a cable while cleaning. The antennas I use, since my modem is on the other side of the house, seem to be securely in place, but I don't want to go on a wild goose chase trying to find the issue. One clue I have is that Windows troubleshooting mentions 'The Internet connection is too weak for connecting,' but all my other devices in the room have stable connections. My motherboard is a B650M Wifi, and I'm not sure what other information you might need.
3 Answers
Does your computer recognize any nearby WiFi networks? If it’s picking up signals but still won't connect, you might need to reset the network connection.
Have you tried turning your computer off and on again? Sometimes, that can solve connection issues. If it's still detecting the network without connecting, try forgetting the network and re-entering the password. You can also disable and then enable the network adapter in settings as a troubleshooting step.
Don't worry, it probably won't be a serious issue since you were just gently cleaning. Let's focus on what you mentioned: 'The Internet connection is too weak for connecting' and your B650M WiFi board. Here are a few things to check:
1. **WiFi Antenna**: Make sure that the external antennas are tightly screwed into the motherboard. They can sometimes come loose, so it’s worth unscrewing and reattaching them just to be safe.
2. **Internal WiFi Module**: Some B650M boards have a small internal WiFi chip that connects via M.2. If you brushed near the board while cleaning, you might have knocked a cable loose. Look for two thin antenna wires connected to a module (they're quite small). If they seem loose, reattach them carefully.
3. **Drivers**: Check if your WiFi adapter is showing up in Device Manager. If there’s an error symbol, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers from your motherboard's website.
4. **Quick Fix**: If you have access to a USB WiFi adapter, plug it in to see if it resolves the issue. If your internet works with that, the onboard WiFi module or antenna might be the problem.
I tried reattaching the antennas, but it didn’t work! I can't find the internal WiFi chip you mentioned, but I'm pretty sure it's not there. I checked the drivers, and no error symbols are showing up. I'll wait to use another computer for the drivers, but unfortunately, I don’t have a USB WiFi adapter.
I have access to a laptop now. Can someone help guide me through the driver installation?
Yes, it can see nearby networks!