Why can't I connect to a network?

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Why can't I connect to a network?

A lot of variables are involved when you connect to a network: cables, network adapters, drivers, and routers. So
troubleshooting network connection problems can be challenging. This article can help you find and fix
problems with wired (Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi) network connections. Some common problems are:
A wireless network adapter switch is turned off
Airplane mode is turned on
Disconnected or improperly connected cables
Incorrect WEP, WPA, or WPA2 security keys or passphrases
Mismatched wireless standards
Missing updates
Incorrect network connection settings
Damaged or incompatible drivers
Hardware or software problems
Follow the steps in these sections to try to solve the problem, and then try connecting after each one. If the
problem still occurs, move on to the next section.

Use an automated troubleshooter

An automated troubleshooter can find and automatically fix some common networking problems. Run the

Network troubleshooter first, and then test your network or Internet connection to see if the problem has been
fixed. If it doesn't fix the problem, try the rest of the automated troubleshooters.

Show all
To open the Network troubleshooter
To open the Internet Connections troubleshooter

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To open the Network Adapter troubleshooter

For more info about network adapters, see How do I fix network adapter problems?

Suggested solutions
If running a troubleshooter didn't solve the problem, look for the problem and corresponding solution in the
following table.

Problem

Possible solutions

I cant connect

First, try to connect to the network. On the error message that appears, tap or click Forget

because the

passphrase if requested, and then tap or click OK.

anymore

network security

network. Then connect to the network again, enter the new network security key or

key changed.

I can't connect
to a home
network.

If running the Network troubleshooter didn't help, here are some other things to check:
Make sure the router and cable or DSL modem are turned on.
If you're using a wired connection, make sure the network (Ethernet) cable is inserted
into the network adapter in your PC. Each end of a network cable looks like this:

Network (Ethernet) cable

If you're using a wired connection, make sure the network cable isn't defective. You can
test this by using a different cable that you know works properly.

Make sure the cable is connected to the correct port on the router. It shouldn't be

connected to the "uplink," "Internet," or "WAN" port. In addition, some routers turn off
the port next to the uplink, Internet, or WAN port, so try using a different one.

If your PC has a wireless network adapter, Windows will automatically detect wireless

networks that are nearby. To see a list of wireless networks that Windows has detected:
Tap or click to connect to a network.

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If Windows doesn't detect a network that you think is in range of your PC, see Why
can't I find a wireless network?

Make sure your router and the wireless network adapter in your PC will work together.
To work, the network adapter in your PC must use a wireless standard that is equal to

or older than the routers wireless standard. For example, if the network adapter in your
PC uses the 802.11n wireless standard (also called Wireless-N) but your router uses

802.11g, (also called Wireless-G), you won't be able to connect because the Wireless-G
standard is an earlier version and doesnt recognize Wireless-N. However, if the router
uses Wireless-N but the adapter in your PC uses Wireless-G, you should be able to

connect if the router is set to mixed mode, since Wireless-N works with some or all of
the earlier standards (802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g).

Many laptops and tablets have a wireless switch on the front or side of the PC. If your
PC has a switch, make sure it's turned on. Some PCs also use a function key

combination to turn the switch on or off. Check the info that came with your PC for
details on locating the wireless switch.

Make sure airplane mode is off and Wi-Fi is on.

To make sure airplane mode is turned off and Wi-Fi is turned on
Use Device Manager to verify that your network adapter is working correctly.
To check your network adapter
The network adapter driver might not be working properly. Download and install the

latest version of the driver from the manufacturer's website. For more info, see How do
I fix network adapter problems?
Clear the DNS resolver cache.
To clear the DNS resolver cache
I need to

A hidden wireless network is a wireless network that isn't broadcasting its network ID (also

hidden wireless

and your PC listens for the name of the network that it wants to connect to. Because a

connect to a
network.

called an SSID, or service set identifier). Typically, wireless networks broadcast their name,

hidden network doesnt broadcast, your PC can't find it, so the network has to find your PC.
For this to happen, your PC must broadcast both the name of the network it's looking for

and its own name. In this situation, other PCs listening for networks will know the name of
your PC as well as the network youre connected to, which increases the risk of your PC
being attacked.

If you still want to connect to a hidden network despite the risks, you'll need to gather some
info from the wireless router first.
1. Gather the following info:

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Network ID (SSID), which is the name that would typically appear in the list of
available networks

Type of security (WPA, WPA2, WEP, or 802.1X)

Type of encryption
Security key
2.

Tap or click to connect to a network.

3. Tap or click Hidden network, tap or click Connect, and then enter the network info.
The network will be added to your list of networks and will be available to connect to
in the future when your PC is in range of the network.
I can't connect

to other PCs on
my home
network.

Turn on Find devices and content.

Follow these steps on your PC and on any network PC running Windows8.1 or

WindowsRT8.1 that you want to connect to. Do this only if you know and trust the people
and devices on the network.

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC
settings.

(If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the
mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

2. Tap or click Network, tap or click the network you're connected to, and then turn on
Find devices and content.
Note
It's usually not safe to turn this on if you're connected to a public network.
This setting isn't available if you're connected to a domain network.
I can't connect

to my workplace
network from
home (or
another

location).

Here are some things to try.

Make sure you entered the virtual private network (VPN) server name exactly as
provided by your IT admin.

You must have an active Internet connection for a VPN connection to work.
If your modem is external, make sure the modem power is turned on.
Make sure you have the appropriate connection and domain permissions on the
remote access server.

A VPN connection won't work with an active Winsock proxy client. Make sure the
Winsock proxy client isn't enabled.

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If you know the IP address (for example: 131.107.10.25) of a website, enter that address
in the address bar of your web browser, and then press Enter. If this works, there's
probably a Domain Name System (DNS) resolution problem.

If you have special software that's required or installed by your workplace, it could be
part of the problem.

If you know the IP address (for example: 131.107.10.25) of your VPN server, enter that

address for the VPN connection, and then press Enter. If this works, there's probably a
DNS resolution problem.

There could be a certificate problem. For assistance, contact your network admin.
There could be a problem with the server you're trying to connect to. For assistance,
contact your network admin.
Note
WindowsRT8.1 has built-in support for VPN. Third-party VPN software can also be installed
on WindowsRT8.1 if it's available in the Windows Store. For help with third-party VPN

software, contact the third-party VPN provider. For more info on VPN standards supported
in WindowsRT8.1, go online to Microsoft TechNet and search for "VPN."
My wireless

connection isn't

connected when
my PC resumes
from sleep or
hibernation.

There are two possible causes:

Automatic connection is turned off for this network. The next time you connect to the
network, select the Connect automatically check box.

When coming out of sleep or hibernation, your wireless network connection might not
reconnect if the power options on your wireless adapter are set to a power-saving
mode. Here's how to check or change your current power options.
To check or change power options

I need to find
my network

security key.

If your PC is already connected to the network, and you're looking for the security key so
that someone else can connect to the network, you can find it in your network settings.
Show all
To find your network security key in your network settings
If you're looking for the security key so that you can connect to the network, first check for a
push button on the router. If you find a push button, press it and see if the router

automatically adds your PC to the network. Some wireless router manufacturers set a

default security key that you might be able to find on a sticker in the documentation or on
the bottom of the router. If you still can't find it, you can open the wireless router settings
webpage. This is where the security key is set up or automatically generated.
To find your network security key on your router settings webpage

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Windows

This means the PC has successfully connected to the router, but the PC wasn't assigned a

connection is

network, try restarting the router. If you're connected to a domain network or a public

reports that my
"Limited."

valid IP address, so you can't actually get to the Internet. If you're connected to a home
network, contact your network admin or the technical support rep for that network.
Note
PCs running WindowsRT8.1 or Windows8.1 can't join a domain. You can only join a
domain if your PC is running Windows8.1Pro or Windows8.1Enterprise.

Check your hardware

Many network connection problems are caused by hardware that isn't set up properly. Here's some info about
how to check your cables, check or reset your modem, and check for problems with your network adapter.
Check the wireless switch (wireless networks only)
If you're using a tablet or laptop, make sure the network adapter switch or button is turned on. Many laptops
have a physical switch somewhere on the top, front, or side 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. Tablets
sometimes have a push button that controls this, with or without an indicator light.
Make sure all cables are connected properly
Loose or disconnected network cables, DSL or cable connections, telephone cords, USB cables, or power cables
can cause network or Internet connection problems. Check all of these connections to make sure they're

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 in the
following sections.

Show all
To check DSL Internet connections
To check cable Internet connections
To check dial-up Internet connections
To check USB network adapters
If youre having trouble determining the correct way to connect a cable, check the documentation that came

with the modem, the network adapter, or the PC. 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 get to a website that you know exists.
Check the indicator lights on your modem

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Check the indicator lights on your modem or Internet connection device (this can be a modem, a modem and a
wireless router, or a combined router-modem device). Most of these devices have an indicator light that's

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.
Restart the modem
To update the settings on the modem or the router, restart the modem. This creates a fresh connection to the

Internet service provider (ISP). Use one of the following methods to restart the modem, following the steps for
your type of modem.

Show all
To restart an external modem
To restart an internal modem
Verify that your network adapter is working
Use Device Manager to verify that your network adapter is working correctly.
To check the network adapter
For more info about fixing network adapter problems, see How do I fix network adapter problems?

Update drivers
A network adapter driver is software used by your PC to communicate with your wireless network adapter.
Outdated, incompatible, or damaged network adapter drivers can prevent network connections or cause
intermittent disconnections.

If you recently upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it's possible that the current network

adapter driver was designed for the previous version of Windows. If you've had recent power outages, viruses,
or other PC problems, it's possible that the driver has become damaged. Windows Update automatically

downloads and installs 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.

Show all
To update the driver using Windows Update
Here are two other ways to find and install a driver:
Install software from the device manufacturer. For example, if your PC or network adapter came with a
disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the network adapter.

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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.

To download and install a driver

Most drivers install automatically after you download them. You can usually double-tap or double-click the file

to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your PC. Some network adapters have drivers that
you need to install manually.

To manually install a driver

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