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I have a Windows 7 Ultimate machine where the wireless adapter all of a sudden started having trouble connecting to wireless networks. Whenever I go to a new place and try to connect to a wireless network, it says that the DNS server is not responding, and tells me to go unplug the router and try again. After several locations in a row telling me this, I began to realize something was wrong with my adapter, not the routers.

I am no longer asked to identify the security level for any new networks (Work, Home, or Public) like I used to be (it defaults to Public now - with the park bench icon). Often, resetting the router doesn't even work. Running the Windows 7 troubleshooter doesn't give me anything better than the advice to reset the router. However, the adapter will still connect to the wireless network at my main office without any problems.

Does anyone know why a wireless network adapter can get so finicky so suddenly?

Thanks!

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  • Disable your modem connection availability.
    – user148996
    Jul 29, 2012 at 16:48
  • Have you checked to make sure you have the latest Wireless Adapter driver from the manufacturer's website?
    – Kevin Dodd
    Jul 29, 2012 at 16:58

2 Answers 2

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Based on another answer I participated in, you might check your energy management options for the adapter. Windows (in its infinitely helpful wisdom!) might be disabling power to the adapter in some conditions. I remember there being an option worded like "allow windows to disable this device to save power" ... although that's from an XP system, Win7 should have something similar.

Most likely under 'Properties' of the adapter, then 'options' or such.

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  • Thanks Lomix - I can only find settings similar to that one in the windows 7 power plans (available by clicking on the battery in your system tray, if you're using a laptop). But there doesn't seem to be anything exactly like what you describe, and mine aren't set to allow the adapter to be turned off. May 9, 2012 at 14:07
  • Yes, there should be advanced energy settings, and a list pops up with various components. There is one for "adapter for wireless network". He says to put it on maximum performance. Example picture (however in dutch) Sep 10, 2013 at 18:32
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Try this:

  • Go to Start → Run, type in cmd and hit Enter

Now enter:

  • ipconfig /release
  • ipconfig /renew

Also try to disable the wireless card and then enable it.

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  • Hi George, thanks for the tip. I've done that; but the renew always hangs, saying that the operation can't be performed for an adapter that has its media disconnected. It's referring to my wireless network connection 2, which is a microsoft virtual wifi miniport adapter. I don't know what that means or where it's from. But for that reason, or some other, the release/renew doesn't help me get connected to the wireless network. May 10, 2012 at 3:09
  • Hmm, that should not be there as that is a dev feature. Click on the connection icon and open network center. Select "Change adapter settings" on the right and right mouse button on the virtual wifi miniport adapter and disable. The other adapter, the real one, RMB -> Properties -> Config -> Under Energy, tick off "Computer can disable this to save energy" Now try to do the above commands. Sep 10, 2013 at 18:41

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