Issues with access points is a common issue faced by Wi-Fi users, luckily The WiFi Specialist can help. As we rely more and more on technology, a stable wireless connection has become a necessity. However, it’s not uncommon to face problems with access points, which can be frustrating and hinder your ability to connect to the internet.
Some common issues faced by users include problems with the wireless adapter or access point, network connectivity, IP address, and network adapter drivers. These problems can prevent you from accessing the internet and can be caused by outdated drivers, incorrect settings, or network configuration issues.
In this blog, we will discuss steps to fix common issues faced by users, we will also discuss steps to restart your computer, update your drivers, and connect to the internet using a wired connection.
The experts at The WiFi Specialist can help you get the most out of your wireless network.
What is an Access Point and WiFi Adapter?
Before you start trying to identify and fix any network issues, you will need to understand the equipment you are working with.
A wireless adapter enables your computer to connect to a wireless network, such as Wi-Fi. If you have a laptop, it typically has a built-in wireless adapter. However, for a desktop PC, you may need a separate wireless adapter in order to access the internet wirelessly.
An access point is a device that connects to a router through a LAN cable and transmits a Wi-Fi signal. By using an access point, you can conveniently access the internet through a single network over a large distance. You can have a collection of access points for the same network when you need to broadcast to a wide area and one access point can broadcast multiple SSIDs at the same time.
What Causes Access Point Issues?
Wireless adapter and access point errors can have various causes, usually related to issues with the operating system’s interaction with the access point or problems with the access point providing network connectivity to wireless devices. The issues may arise from the device side, such as misinterpreted connection software or improperly activated wireless cards, or from the access point side, which is relatively simple but may still experience issues such as improper network broadcasting.
If you are experiencing access point issues, follow the steps below to rule out any simple fixes.
- Ensure that your wireless adapter is activated. Verify that it is not turned off and that Airplane Mode is disabled. This is a simple and essential initial step in addressing connectivity problems, and it is recommended to perform it early in the troubleshooting process as it is a common cause of issues.
- Try disconnecting and reconnecting to the wireless network. This can help resolve connectivity issues, particularly when connecting to a network with a sign-in landing page. Such landing pages are prone to drop or load improperly, and attempting to reconnect can give the device a fresh opportunity to connect and provide the landing page for signing in.
- Review the configuration of the wireless network connection. The access point may anticipate that your device will establish the connection in a particular way, but your device may be setting up the connection differently. One potential reason for this is a mismatch in the security encryption specified in your device’s connection profile for the network.
- Remove the wireless network and reconnect from the beginning. This can be beneficial, especially if you have been using a saved network for an extended period, but the network has since changed its encryption or some other attribute.
- Restart your access point. While your device may be functioning correctly, it’s possible that the router or access point that hosts the network has experienced a failure. The best way to resolve this issue is to power off and, on the router, which will allow the access point to begin again and restore its proper operational settings.
- Ensure that your drivers are up to date. Wireless interface drivers are frequently updated to add features or fix existing issues. If you don’t install these updates, wireless devices may not be able to interact with the access point’s network hardware.
- Refreshing your IP address can reset any underlying IP connection issue and help to resolve common IP-related issues.
- Consider upgrading your network equipment by purchasing new hardware. If your equipment is old it may not be supported with fixes and updates. The only way around this is to purchase new equipment that is fit for purpose. To ensure compatibility with your ISP’s service, check with them or a professional team like The WiFi Specialist before making the purchase.
- Wired connections may not be ideal for laptops, but when you can’t connect to Wi-Fi, it’s a necessary option until the issue is resolved. Connect your laptop to your router using a LAN cable. If the Wi-Fi is the only problem, you should have internet access. Keep the cable nearby for future solutions that require internet connectivity. If you still can’t connect to the internet even with a wired connection, the issue might be with your router. Faulty hardware equipment could be one of the possible reasons why you can’t connect to the router.
When to speak to a professional
If after you have tried all the above troubleshooting steps you are still experiencing issues, it’s probably time to speak to professionals like The WiFi Specialist.
We have plenty of experience with identifying issues and have access to a range of tools and equipment designed to pinpoint faults which may be hard to ascertain for the untrained eye.
We offer network repair services, and we can also carry out a Network Health Check Survey. This service is especially beneficial as it can pick up on potential issues such as out-of-date drivers or equipment before they become an issue, meaning we can suggest a fix and put it in place before it costs you any downtime.
Our team are happy to offer support and advice in person or over the phone and thanks to our years of experience there aren’t many scenarios we haven’t dealt with before.
Contact us today if you would like help or advice on access point issues.
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I was struggling to get a decent wifi signal down to the garden office until the Wifi Specialists recommended a Point to Point kit. Now the internet is faster in the office than it is in the house. The guys did a great job installing too, keeping all the cabling very neat and hidden wherever possible. Even sorted out the TV aerial cable while they were doing the P2P cabling! Great service, strongly recommend.
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Indy and Rakki are first class guys, they did a professional job in record time and I ended up with a better router indoors as well as the Access point outdoors which now covers the whole garden. Definitely recommend the Wifi specialists.
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I'm absolute delighted with the service provided by The WiFi Specialist in running an ethernet cable out to my garden office. Indy was extremely helpful in discussion the options available to me, and recommending the right approach, and the work was carried out efficiently and with minimum disruption. I'm thrilled to now have a secure connection, and would definitely recommend The WiFi Specialist to anyone looking to improve connectivity.
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I had been struggling with my wifi signal around my house for a number of years and the situation only got worse as we moved to remote working. After many attempts to get the issue addressed through the local ISP, I (my wife and kids) decided that I needed a specialist to come in. Indy made the whole process very simple from the initial site visit, design guidance and installation. I had my house refurbished a few years ago so adding new cabling around the house needed knowledge and experience. Indy and Rak did a great job at concealing the cat6 cables and provided a professional finish. I now have full wifi signal all around the house, garden and garage. I would highly recommend The Wi-Fi Specialist. Thank you.
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The IT service from this company was exemplary and resulted in a very good WiFi signal throughout the house. Indy was generous with his time and explained the technology well, without trying to sell equipment that would have been unnecessary for a domestic installation. He is friendly, knowledgeable and very professional. It was a great pleasure to work with him.
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