Laptop Will NOT Re-Connect to Home WiFi.

[Jeanette H]

Hello RootsChat Members,

Just wondering if there is any one who may be able to assist.

Laptop Will NOT Re-Connect to Home WiFi.

HP EliteBook, 8460p, 14” / HD / Core / i5 – 2540m / 3.30 GHz / 4 GB / WiFi / DVD / Laptop PC.  /  upgraded to Windows 10 PRO.

We purchased a backup Laptop (Sept. 2018), to use in an emergency, should any problem arise with our other main Laptops. 
We first set it up (March 2019) with Firefox, Norton Protection, Open Office, and also is setup to work on our Home WiFi. 
(Same as our 2-Laptops and 2-Tablets, with NO Problems.)
It was used for only 2-weeks, while undertaking Newspaper Research on Findmypast. 

We did not use it for 2-months.  When we tried to Re-Connect to the Internet (Home WiFi), this was NOT possible. 
Also because we are unable to connect to the Internet, the Norton Protection is now showing critical and in need of updating.

I contacted the Seller, explaining the issue: nothing came of it.  As it was 8-months, after the purchase date, they just did not want to know.  Now at nine months, I can No-Longer send a Message to them.

I have been trying various things.
I did some google searches, finding various discussion sites, discussing this issue:
'Why I am NOT able to Re-Connect to the Internet'.

What I have tried:
At first, I tried what I have called - [METHOD ONE]:
I went to Control Panel / Network & Internet / Network & Sharing Centre /
(Now I am suppose to (Click on) 'Manage Wireless Network' (this Page does NOT have a Link to 'Manage Wireless Network', so unable to go further).
On this page it does show:
Option: 1.  -  'Change Your Network Settings'.
      (a). Connect To The Internet.
      (b). Set Up A New Network.
      (c). Manually Connect To A Wireless Network.
      (d). Connect To A Workplace.

Option: 2.  -  'Troubleshoot Problems'.
When I (click on) this Option, after detecting results, it tells me to Turn On 'Wireless Capabilities'
Use the Switch on the front or side of the Computer, or Function Keys, if available, to enable Wireless Capability on this Computer.
MY Question Is – Where is this button (how do I find it), or what Function Keys can I use?

I have also gone to Control Panel / Network & Internet / Network Connections:
On 'Change Adapter Option' –
How do I remove the RED Xs on Ethernet and WiFi?

Also, when I go to Settings / Network Internet / WiFi / - the button is in OFF Position, everytime I move it to the ON Position it continually reverts back to the OFF Position.
   Not sure what is causing this to happen?

I Did a 'Network Reset'
   (stating the following“This will Remove and then Re-Install, all your Network Adapters and set other networking components back to their original settings, might need to re-install other networking software afterwards, such as VPN Client Software or Vitual Switches).
After doing this, it did NOT appear to change anything.  Not sure if it actual did work.

In Fact, NO matter what I try to do, nothing seems to change anything.


Going back to March 2019, when we first connected this Laptop to the Internet.
It is possible that I could have altered something (after connecting to the Internet), within the 'Control Panel' or 'Settings', causing the Laptop to block the connection to the Internet, during the next Re-Connection Process? 

Being concerned with my privacy online, perhaps I changed something which may have changed the online settings, without knowing what I have done.

Can I take the Laptop back to the original settings (when it was first set up)?
(I did ask this Question of the Seller, No Response). 
Would this help?
If so, how do I go about this?

I just seem to be going around in circles.
I have tried various things, but nothing seems to change.

Thanking you,
Jeanette H.

[groom]

Answer to Q2 - where is the wireless switch

"Most HP laptop models are fitted with a switch on the side or front of the computer than can be used to turn on the wireless functions. If not on the side or front, the switch may be above the keyboard or on one of the function keys at the top of the keyboard.[1]
The switch is indicated by an icon that looks like a wireless tower emitting signals."

https://m.wikihow.com/Switch-on-Wireless-on-an-HP-Laptop

[mckha489]

groom got there first

[[Ray]]

Hi     


So this was second-hand?     

"The seller"= reputable business?     

"Upgraded to Win 10" ? Confirm what from Win 7/8/8.x?     

You've tried switching power OFF/on router?     
Then re-wps connection laptop to router?     



R

 

[hallmark]

Is it in Flight Mode by any chance?

[Calverley Lad]

Any chance of using a cat cable to connect your laptop to modem?
 Brian

[andrewalston]

Looking at the "getting started" manual, at http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02963777 page 6 onwards:


Above the keyboard on the right hand side there ought to be 3 combination buttons/lights.

The left one of the 3 is the Wireless button. If this light is off, press it and it should turn white to show that wireless is enabled.

The middle one shows that power is on, and launches a browser if you press it.

The right one mutes the sound, turning amber so show sound is off.

If the light for Wireless is ON and you still can't connect, find the wireless icon in the system tray bottom right of the display. Right click it and select Troubleshoot. Many times this will reset the hardware and allow connection.

If none of these work, there are other things we can try. Let us know.

[Calverley Lad]

Could your laptop have problems with the various Windows updates that have been made  recently available?
If you can use the wired connection to check, (no password required).
Just power up your laptop using its power brick, could be trying for updates for a couple of hours.
 Brian

[Jeanette H]

Thank you to 'Groom' and 'Mckh489', you were both very quick to reply early yesterday morning.  However, as I was feeling drowsy, I had already signed out and preparing to close everything down, even though I did view both of  your posts beforehand, but it was too late to set up the other computer to check and reply.  Thank you for your replies and Links.

'Mckh489' – if you care to re-post your Link, as the brief look I had of it, there appeared to be possibly other relevant information, that may be useful.

I have found the button on the Laptop which enables 'Wireless Capability'.
It is automatically on, when I turn the Laptop on.

Jeanette H.