Wired and wireless network problems

	Wired and wireless network problems
			Windows 7
	Introduction		This tutorial is designed to help you identify and fix problems with wired (Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi) network connections in Windows. This tutorial doesn't cover network connection problems related to specific programs.
	Step 1		You might experience network or Internet connection issues in Windows for a number of reasons. Some common issues that can cause these problems are:
	Step 2		A wireless network adapter switch that's not enabled
	Step 3		WEP, WPA, or WPA2 security key or passphrase issues
	Step 4		Cables that aren't connected properly
			Corrupted or incompatible drivers
			Missing updates
			Network connection settings
			Hardware or software problems
			How to use this tutorial
			Because the instructions can vary for different Windows operating systems, open this tutorial on each PC so that you see the correct instructions for that PC, or use the selector on this page to choose an operating system.
			To move through the tutorial, click each step in the left pane or click Next below, completing each step before moving on. If you are troubleshooting a wired network problem, skip Step 1. Connect because it only applies to wireless networks.
			Test your network connection after each step before going on to the next step.
			Step 1
			Connect to a wireless network in Windows 7
			If you have a laptop or a PC with a wireless network adapter, you can see a list of available wireless networks and then connect to one of those networks. The wireless networks will only appear if your PC has a wireless network adapter installed, the adapter is turned on, and the wireless access point is in range.
			To view and connect to wireless networks
			1. Click the wireless network icon
			in the notification area.
			2. In the list of wireless networks, click the network you want to connect to, and then click Connect.
			3. If you're connecting to a secure network, type the security key, and then click OK.
			Warning
			Whenever possible, you should connect to security-enabled wireless networks. If you do connect to a network that's not secure, be aware that someone with the right tools can see everything that you do, including the websites you visit, the documents you work on, and the user names and passwords that you use. Changing your network location to Public can help minimize the risk. For more information, see Choosing a network location and How do I know if a wireless network is secure?
			Connect to a wireless network using Wi–Fi Protected Setup
			If you’re using Windows 7 or Windows Vista Service Pack 2 and your router supports Wi–Fi Protected Setup (WPS) or Windows Connect Now (WCN), you can add a PC to the network by following these steps:
			1. Click the wireless network icon
			in the notification area of the taskbar.
			2. Click your network, and then click Connect.
			3. Instead of typing a security key or passphrase, press the Wi–Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button on the router. The router will automatically set up the PC to connect to the network and apply the network's security settings.
			Note
			WCN sets up the network connection with security turned on by default. You can change the security settings later if desired.
			Troubleshoot connection problems
			If you're having trouble connecting to a wireless network, review the sections below for troubleshooting tips.
			Step 2
			Check hardware in Windows 7
			Many network connection problems are caused by hardware that isn't set up properly. Here's some information about how to check your cables, check or reset your modem, and check for problems with your network adapter.
			Make sure your hardware is compatible with Windows
			For a list of compatible hardware, visit the Compatibility Center:
			Windows 7 Compatibility Center
			Check the wireless switch (wireless networks only)
			If you’re using a laptop, make sure that the network adapter switch on your laptop is turned on. Many laptops have a physical switch somewhere on the top, front, or side of the laptop that turns the network adapter on or off. There's usually an indicator light on the laptop that shows if the wireless network adapter is enabled.
			Make sure all cables are connected properly
			Loose or disconnected Ethernet cables, DSL or cable connections, telephone cords, USB cables, or power cables can cause network or Internet connection issues. Check all of these connections to make sure they are properly connected. This section mainly applies to wired networks, but if you're trying to connect wirelessly to your own home wireless network, you should check the modem and cabling to the modem as described below.
			To check DSL Internet connections
			1. Check the phone line that runs from your phone jack to the phone line port on the DSL modem.
			2. Make sure there's no DSL filter between the phone jack and the modem.
			3. Check the Ethernet cable that runs from the Internet connection on the DSL modem to the network adapter on your computer.
			4. Make sure the DSL modem is plugged into a power outlet and the power to the modem is turned on.
			5. To avoid dropped Internet connections, make sure all telephones that are connected to the same line as the DSL modem are connected to a DSL telephone phone line filter.
			To check cable Internet connections
			1. Check the coaxial cable that runs from the wall to your cable modem.
			2. Check the Ethernet cable that runs from the cable modem to the network adapter on your computer.
			3. Make sure that the modem is plugged into a power outlet and the power to the modem is turned on.
			To check dial-up Internet connections
			1. Check the telephone line that runs from your telephone jack to the telephone port on your computer's modem to make sure the connections are good and the phone line isn’t damaged.
			2. Verify that you're calling the correct number, including any required access numbers (such as 9), and that the number isn't busy.
			3. Make sure call waiting is disabled on your telephone line when you connect to the Internet, so that incoming calls don't disconnect the Internet connection.
			4. Most dial-up modems only work with analog phone lines. Verify that you have analog phone lines installed, or, if you have digital phone lines installed, verify that your computer has a digital modem.
			To check USB network adapters
			If the cable that connects an external modem to your computer is a USB cable, you must perform some additional checks. A USB cable has different connectors on each end. One end is flat and rectangular, and the other end has a square connector with angles on two of the corners. To check a USB connection, follow these steps:
			1. If the modem is attached to the computer by using a USB hub, try to bypass the USB hub by plugging the cable from the modem directly into one of the USB ports on your computer.
			2. If the modem is plugged into one of the ports on the front of a desktop computer, try plugging the USB cable into one of the ports on the back of the computer instead. Some computers don't provide sufficient power to the front USB ports. This can create problems with the connection to the modem.
			If you’re having trouble determining the correct way to connect a cable, check the documentation that came with the modem, the network adapter, or the computer. If you made any adjustments to the cable connections, test for an Internet connection before going on to the next step. To test for an Internet connection, open your browser and try to access a website that you know exists (for example, http://www.microsoft.com).
			Check the indicator lights on your modem
			Check the indicator lights on your modem or Internet connection device (this can be either a modem, a modem and a wireless router, or a combined router-modem device). Most of these devices have an indicator light that is labeled "Broadband link," "Internet," "Online," or something similar that indicates a connection to the Internet. If you're unsure, refer to the documentation that came with the device.
			Reset the modem
			In some instances, the IP settings or network configuration that you receive from your Internet service provider (ISP) might be incorrect or need updating. Sometimes, the connection between the modem and the ISP might experience problems. To update the settings on the modem or the router, reset (restart) the modem. This creates a fresh connection to the ISP. Use one of the following methods to reset the modem, following the steps for your modem type.
			To reset an external modem
			1. Disconnect the cable that connects your computer or router to the modem. This can be either a USB cable or an Ethernet cable.
			2. Turn off the modem using the power switch on the front or back of the modem. If the modem doesn't have a power switch, disconnect the power cord from the back of the modem, or unplug it from the wall.
			Note
			Some modems have a backup battery that prevents the lights from going out. For this type of modem, press and quickly release the Reset button. If you don’t see a Reset button, remove the battery instead.
			3. Wait several minutes, and then turn on the modem and reconnect the cable from the computer or the router to the modem.
			4. Restart the computer.
			5. Test your connection to see whether you can access the Internet.
			To reset an internal modem
			Restart the computer.
			Use Device Manager
			Use Device Manager to verify that your network adapter is working correctly:
			Note
			You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.
			Check the network adapter
			1. Click the Start button
			, type "device manager" in the search box, and then, in the list of results,  click Device Manager.
			If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
			2. Double-click Network adapters, and then right-click your network adapter.
			3. Click Properties, and then, under Device status, check to see that the device is working properly.
			4. If the network adapter is disabled, click Enable Device to enable it.
			Note
			If the network adapter isn’t working properly, you might need to download and install the latest driver for it. (If you received an installation disc with the network adapter or with your computer, the driver might also be on the disc.)
			If you're still having problems finding the latest driver for your hardware, go to the "To download and install a driver yourself" section on the Update drivers tab of this tutorial.
			Make sure the correct network adapter is being used
			Some computers might have multiple network adapters. For example, if you bought a new desktop computer and during the purchase you upgraded to a different network adapter, you most likely have an onboard network adapter (a network adapter built onto your computer's motherboard) as well as a secondary network adapter inserted into an available slot in the computer. You can verify this by looking for two network ports on the back of your computer. (Network ports look like large phone jacks.) Laptops normally have just one network port unless you’re using a USB network adapter.
			To set the default network adapter
			1. Click the Start button
			,     type "view network connections," and then click View network connections.
			2. If multiple network adapters are installed, the default adapter will have a check mark and be labeled "Default."
			3. If the correct network adapter is listed as disabled, right-click it, and then click Enable.
			4. If the wrong network adapter is listed as the default, right-click the correct device, and then click Set as Default Connection.
			5. Close the network connection dialog box, and then test for a network connection.
			Step 3
			Use an automated troubleshooter in Windows 7
			An automated troubleshooter is a tool that can find and automatically fix some problems with your computer. These troubleshooters aren't designed to fix every problem, but they're a useful tool to try because they can often save you time and effort.
			Different Windows operating systems use troubleshooters in different ways. Windows 7 uses troubleshooters from within the Windows 7 Action Center. Windows Vista and Windows XP use troubleshooters that can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center and then run on your computer. To use an automated troubleshooter, click the link for the troubleshooter for your Windows operating system.
			Run the Network troubleshooter first and then test your Internet connection.
			To open the Network troubleshooter
			Right-click the network icon
			or
			in the notification area of your taskbar, and then click Troubleshoot problems.
			You can also run specific troubleshooters to focus on a particular network or connectivity problem. For example, if you are unable to connect to the Internet or access a particular website, there might be a problem with your Internet connection. Try using the Internet Connections troubleshooter to fix the problem. Follow the steps below.
			If you can't connect to a computer on your home network, or on a corporate network, there might be a problem with your computer's network adapter. The network adapter might need to be reset, or the adapter driver might need to be updated. Try using the Network Adapter troubleshooter to fix the problem. Follow the steps below.
			To open other troubleshooters
			1. Click the Start button
			, type "troubleshooting" in the search box, and then click Troubleshooting.
			2. Click Network and Internet, and then click the troubleshooter you want to run.
			Step 4
			Update drivers in Windows 7
			A network adapter driver is software used by your computer to communicate with your wireless network adapter. Outdated, incompatible, or corrupted network adapter drivers can prevent network connections or cause intermittent disconnections.
			If you recently upgraded from one Windows operating system to another, it's possible that the current network adapter driver was designed for the previous Windows operating system. If you've had recent power outages, viruses, or other computer problems, it's possible that the driver has become corrupted. Downloading and installing the latest network adapter driver can resolve these types of problems.
			Here are three ways to find and install a driver:
			Use Windows Update. You might need to set Windows Update to automatically download and install recommended updates. Installing any important, recommended, and optional updates can update system features and other software that might help to fix your network connection problems.
			Install software from the device manufacturer. For example, if your computer or network adapter came with a disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the network adapter.
			Download and install the driver yourself. You can search for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Try this if Windows Update can't find a driver for your network adapter and the adapter didn't come with software that installs a driver.
			Update router and adapter firmware
			Your router or network adapter might need a firmware upgrade, especially if you're only able to connect using WEP security or no security. Firmware is the software that is embedded in a hardware device and controls how the device interacts with the operating system.
			Download a firmware upgrade from the router or adapter manufacturer’s website and apply it, following the directions on the website or with the downloaded file.