Hey everyone, I just moved into my buddy's apartment, and I'm having an issue with his WiFi. My PC isn't showing his network in the list, even though it's visible on my laptop and phone. I connected to it a couple of years ago, but now it's like it doesn't exist for my PC. I've tried all sorts of troubleshooting: restoring settings, resetting the network, rebooting the router, and checking for driver updates in device manager. I've even toggled the WiFi off and on again. I'm really at my wit's end here because I need a reliable connection for school, and I'm considering getting a separate internet just for my PC. Any advice?
5 Answers
Just out of curiosity, how old is your computer? Sometimes older hardware can struggle with newer networks, especially if the router is using advanced standards.
First off, double-check that your PC's Wi-Fi adapter is enabled. Also, make sure the driver is updated. You can try connecting to the WiFi manually by entering the network name and password. Sometimes it just needs a little nudge!
It sounds like your buddy might have a new router, which could be using a different Wi-Fi band or security protocol. Make sure that your PC's Wi-Fi adapter is compatible with the router's settings. Sometimes, the router might be set to WPA3, while your PC only supports WPA2. If that's the case, ask him to enable a legacy mode or adjust the security settings so your PC can connect.
It could be that your PC is just too far from the router to pick up the signal. If you have a desktop with antennas, try adjusting their angle or moving your PC closer to the router. A temporary fix could be getting an external USB WiFi adapter with a high-gain antenna, which could help. There are some affordable options on Amazon that work really well.
Have you checked if your friend's WiFi SSID is hidden? If it's hidden, you won't see it in the list of networks, but you can still connect manually if you have the network details.

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