Older computers, laptops, devices and tablets may have problems connecting to a wireless router that newer devices can connect to because older devices may have incompatible wireless adapters, your router is on the wrong channel, the wi-fi adapter is broken, or your device may have a virus blocking it from connecting to the internet.
First, make sure you typed in the correct password to your device, to see if it is a wrong password which is preventing you to connect to your wireless internet.
Sometimes with older devices, you can’t connect to newer wireless router’s because your device uses WEPÂ encryption, and may not be compatible with the newer WPA and WPA2Â encryption standard if your wireless router is set to WPA instead of WEP, and it is password protected.
You can change your router’s encryption to WEP encryption, or buy a new wireless adapter which works with WPA2/WPA encryption for your laptop or desktop computer. You can also try changing your password to a simpler password for your wireless router to see if a complex password is stopping you from connecting to your wireless router.
You can also see if your device can connect to your wireless signal by turning off your password protection for your wireless router.
You can also try changing the wireless broadcast channel to 6 in your router if you live in the US, and Canada since 6 is the default channel for a lot of devices. If 6 does not work, try a different channel. I have a older wireless device which only connects well on CH 6, but can’t connect on other channels like 9, but once I change it back to 6 it connects quickly again.
You can change the wireless password to WEP, and the channel of your wireless signal in your router’s control panel which you usually access by typing a address in your password like 192.168.1.1 , and typing in your username which is usually admin, and password which is usually admin. You can read your manual for your wireless router to learn how to login to your router, change your wireless password encryption, and channel for your wireless router.
Restarting your computer may also help. You can also try restarting your router by unplugging it from your wall and plugging it back in after a few seconds.
Sometimes your wireless adapter on your smartphone, tablet, or eReader may not be working well, and needs to be repaired at a store. It might be a better deal just to buy a new smartphone or Tablet if your warranty is expired since hiring someone to fix your wireless adapter might be expensive.
If you own a laptop, or desktop, you can replace your wireless adapter with a USB wireless adapter like Medialink – Wireless N USB Adapter – 802.11n – 150Mbps – 2.4ghz , and it will reconnect you to the internet or home network using your new adapter which replaces your broken adapter. Newer adapters also will be compatible with WPA2, WPA, WEP, and other wireless password encryption types, and you will experience faster speeds if your router is also a 802.11N or 802.11AC router since they are both faster then 802.11G routers.
A new wireless adapter would also improve your wireless range, and speed since newer technology typically has better features, so you can connect farther and faster.
Also, scan your computer for viruses since some viruses can block you from using the internet, or make your computer unable to use the internet until your computer is no longer infected.
Updating your router’s firmware, or your wireless adapter drivers may help with connection problems. If you use a Smartphone, or Tablet, you can try installing the latest version of the operating system when your maker like Acer, Samsung, or your mobile service provider releases an update for your device.