What is a wireless network adapter on a pc. Wireless adapter or access point problem: how to fix it? Placement of the wireless router

A router with a wireless connection is in greatest demand among users, because it is convenient and practical, especially since in most cases the client receives high-speed and high-quality Internet. But any equipment has problems due to which the connection works intermittently or is completely absent.

Most problems with Wi-Fi equipment can be solved by yourself

Let's take a look at what are the most common problems when using a router and how to fix them?

First of all, we check if the router is turned on, as often the wire gets touched, which is why it is disconnected from the network. If the device is powered on, but the WLAN indicator is off, turn off the access point, wait about a minute, and then start it up again.

If the indicated indicator is lit, but there is no connection, but the WAN or DSL light is off, then this means that there is no signal from the provider. To check this, reboot the router again, but after turning off, wait about 5 minutes. Has the Internet still not appeared? This means that the connection problems have arisen from the provider's side.

If the Wi-Fi indicator is on, and there is a connection when the wire is connected to the computer, then there are problems with the hardware settings or the parameters of the computer from which you want to connect.

How can I check this? Do the following:

Go to the router settings via address bar browser and enter the IP address of the network, after which the equipment parameters will appear in front of you.
Turn on the wireless mode for the router to transmit a signal through the Wi-Fi module.

If in the settings you find that the network is turned on, but it is not on the computer or laptop, then follow these steps:

Restart your computer, after which the network should appear.
If you have a laptop, then you should look for the menu for enabling the wireless network adapter and activate it.

Did not work? You need to find out where the root of the problem lies - in your hardware or in your router? If the list of networks is completely empty, try connecting to the access point through another device. In the case when the rest of the equipment cannot detect the connection, you need to change the router settings as follows:

Enter the parameters through the address bar of the browser and go to the Wi-Fi or Wireless menu.
Change the operating mode to mixed mode (b / g / n).

If you cannot connect to the access point from the computer, but it is available on other devices, then you will have to reinstall the operating system.

Entering the wrong password

Adapter problem wireless networks or access points often occurs when, when connecting, users accidentally enter the wrong key, which causes the network to be saved in the settings and gives the impression that it is working. In fact, the equipment constantly repeats attempts to connect to the network, without receiving a signal as a result.

To fix this, reconnect to the network, enter correct password... If the device skips this step, remove the connection from the list and add it again to be prompted for a password.

IP address recognition problem

It happens that you successfully establish a connection to the network, enter all the data and the equipment reports a successful connection, but the whole process stops at the “Obtaining an IP address” line. If the device cannot find correct address, the signal is cut off, and the computer is constantly trying to re-establish communication. To prevent this from happening, in the settings of the router, find the item on obtaining IP data and activate the automatic receipt of this address.

Weak signal and interruptions in speed

In a situation where all the passwords are entered correctly, the connection is established, but the speed is lower than necessary or the signal is constantly interrupted, it is worth considering whether there is any interference with the normal operation of the router. Walls, reflective objects, or other networks can interfere with it. In the first two options, you need to install the router so that it can create the largest possible coverage area or move closer to it.

If several similar devices are installed in parallel near your apartment or house, then they all interfere with each other due to the communication channel used. This means that all equipment uses the same channel, which is overloaded as a result, and the only way to fix the situation is to change it.

You can do it like this:

Go to the router settings via the IP address in the browser, find the Internet connection menu (in most cases, this is the Wireless section).
In the Chanel line, change the channel to 5.6 or 11 so that there is a maximum distance between the operating modes used on other devices.

Connection without internet access

In many cases, problems with Wi-Fi are as follows: when viewing the properties of the connection, you see that the connection is established, but the message "no Internet access" is displayed. What does it mean?

Most likely, the IP address was registered incorrectly. This option is relevant when, when viewing the connection properties, the line "Without network access" is opposite the value of the IPv4 connection. To fix this, check if the DHCP server is enabled in the options network equipment... Next, review the IP address settings, in the connection parameters, click on properties, and in the window that appears, you will see the IP and DNS address settings. If they are installed manually, then rewrite yourself, just in case, combinations, then select the options for obtaining addresses in an automatic way.

Did not help? Enter manually the standard combination of addresses common to most routers:

The IP address is 192.168.1.2., The subnet mask is 255.255.255.0, and the gateway is 192.168.1.1. In the DNS settings, enter the same address as for the gateway in the server line, the alternative value is 8.8.8.8.
For D-Link and NetGear models, the values are slightly different - in the lines of the IP address enter 192.168.0.2, the mask is 255.255.255.0, the gateway is 192.168.0.1 and the DNS address is 192.168.0.1.

No changes, as before? Check the LAN settings with those of the router - all IP and DNS information must match in order for the computer to access the Internet.

Selective connection work

Most of all, users are surprised by the situation when the connection is present, but the pages are not loaded, but Skype works as if nothing had happened. This happens in the case of incorrect DNS settings... You can enter the correct data in order to continue using the Internet in this way:

Select your network connection, click on its properties, and in the window that appears, select the button with the same name.
In the IPv4 connection protocol, change the combination of the DNS address - enter the numbers 8.8.8.8 in the first line, 77.88.8.8 in the second.

We have considered the most common problems that arise in the operation of Wi-Fi routers. As you can see, all of them are quite simple to solve, so every user can find and eliminate the reason for the lack of an Internet connection - it will take very little time and effort.

Wireless technologies are more and more included in our daily life. Until recently, the optimal way to connect a personal computer to a local network and the Internet was considered to be a twisted pair connection, which provides a speed of 100 Mbps (and even higher) and excellent stability. However, progress does not stand still, and there are already quite a lot of wireless devices on the market that can provide sufficiently fast and reliable communication.

If you already have a wireless router (aka a router) installed at home or in your office, which allows you to organize a wireless network, then to connect to it personal computer or smart TV, you will need a wi-fi adapter. This will be a good alternative to wiring, which requires time-consuming cabling work.

There are hundreds of models of wi-fi adapters on the market. How to choose the right model?

Wi-Fi standards

First of all, you need to decide on the supported standards. wireless communication... Modern devices can support the following standards (in order from slowest to fastest): 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac.

802.11n and 802.11ac standards are the most modern and fastest. At the same time, the 802.11n standard was adopted in 2009 and at the moment most wireless devices support it. The 802.11ac standard was adopted in 2014. Devices supporting this standard, is produced less and they are usually more expensive. The rest of the standards are considered obsolete, but all modern devices they are also maintained for compatibility.

Below is a summary table showing the main differences between different standards.

Wireless speed

Wireless speed depends on the supported standard and the number of transmit / receive antennas. In the 802.11n standard, the maximum data transfer rate per antenna is 150 Mbps, in the 802.11ac standard - 433 Mbps.

It should be noted that the theoretical data transfer rate in all standards differs significantly from the real one. Firstly, wi-fi devices spend half of their time transmitting data, and the other half on receiving. Therefore, the theoretical speed must be immediately divided by 2 (which is reflected in the table). Secondly, together with useful information a lot of service traffic is transmitted, including that necessary to ensure noise immunity.

That is why, even under ideal conditions, the data transfer rate from one device to another will be 2-3 times lower than the theoretical (the one indicated on the box), depending on the class of the device. Budget models, as a rule, show significantly more modest results than top adapters. In the presence of obstacles in the form of walls or household appliances, the speed may drop several times more.

Frequency range

Wireless devices currently operate in two frequency bands - 2.4 and 5 GHz.

Number of antennas

Wireless standards 802.11n and 802.11ac provide the ability to use multiple antennas (MIMO, from the English Multiple Input Multiple Output), which multiplies the connection speed. The 802.11n standard allows up to 4 antennas, 802.11ac up to eight.

For achievement maximum speeds and a stable connection, it is advisable to choose wireless equipment with multiple antennas. Typically, adapters and routers with multiple antennas are more expensive.

Supported OS and other hardware

Manufacturers of wi-fi adapters, as a rule, release drivers for their devices for most operating systems. However, older versions of operating systems (such as Windows XP) may not be supported. There may also be problems with device support in newer operating systems.

Therefore, when choosing an adapter, be sure to pay attention to the list of supported "operating systems".

If you purchase an adapter for connecting to a TV network, it will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with the list of supported adapters on the manufacturer's website (if available).

Conditional pricing ranges for wi-fi adapters (please note that manufacturers' pricing policies can be very different):

adapters costing up to 1200 rubles. Typically, these are inexpensive 802.11n adapters that have either an internal antenna or 1-2 external antennas. The stated data transfer rates are from 150 to 300 Mbps. Provide acceptable communication quality at an affordable price.

Wireless LAN (WLAN) Provides all the functions and preserves all the advantages of traditional LAN technologies, such as Ethernet, without restrictions on the length of the wire or cable. Typical wireless LAN devices are wireless NICs, wireless access points, and wireless bridges.

V this example we use device connections like using Ethernet technologies and the IEEE 802.11 group of standards, the basic standard for WLAN, is more known to users by the name Wi-Fi.

Access Point (AP) also called base station, is a wireless LAN transceiver LAN networks which acts as a hub, i.e. the central point of a separate wireless network, or bridge function - the connection point between wired and wireless networks. The use of multiple APs allows roaming functions, which provides wireless users with free access within a certain area,
while maintaining continuous communication with the network.

Wireless bridge, - provides high-speed (11 Mbps) wireless connections long range within visibility (up to 25 miles), means visibility in the radio technical sense, - antenna coverage area, between Ethernet networks... In a wireless network, any access point can be used as a repeater (extension point).

Benefits of a dedicated LAN:

Materials and tools: An important condition for quality Wi-Fi operation network is right choice antenna, connecting cable, as well as the correct selection of active network wireless equipment... Installation experience and using Wi-Fi equipment shows that the quality of communication is affected by all components of the network: the output power and sensitivity of the transmitter, the quality of antennas, connecting cables and connectors. In real conditions, the quality of any receiving device is determined by the ability to determine the useful signal against the background of interference from neighboring access points, atmospheric and industrial noise.

Steps for installing a wireless LAN.

We lay twisted pair... Which cable to choose. Twisted pair cables are categorized according to the frequency range and, accordingly, throughput. Most of the local networks being organized today use UTP categories 5e. This cable is perfectly adequate for home and office use. throughput up to 100 Mbps. However, for an office with serious internal information traffic, a twisted pair of category 6 or 6a is more suitable, on which the Fast networks Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet.

What should be the core of the twisted pair cable, advantages and disadvantages.

* The main difference between twisted pair categories is the frequency of the transmitted signal, which, in turn, determines the quality and speed of data transmission. Categories 5 and 5e operate in the frequency band up to 100 MHz. With the use of a category 5e cable, the data transfer rate can be up to 1 Gbit / s, so the cable of this category, at the moment, is the most common for laying computer networks.

Router, - the brain of the entire network! The main control node of the local network. Also, settings are made on it to distribute access to certain network resources. Plus everything else, for stable work only he answers the channel - the router (well, sometimes also the provider). First of all, we configure the router based on the settings given to you by your provider. The complexity of the setup depends on the type of Internet connection. If there are more than three physically connected devices to the network, then you will definitely need a network switch.

The hub has a certain number of connectors (ports) to which all network devices are connected. Usually, twisted-pair cable is used for this, the ends of which are crimped with connectors in accordance with the "A" or "B" scheme. The figure shows an 8-port network hub (switch).

Network equipment provides data transfer between all parts of your network. Each router has a WAN port (if not, it is a switch), two or more have professional routers. Ports are usually signed, so you can't go wrong!

With USB ports, users will be able to organize sharing to printers, files and media via local area network for multiple computers at home or outside using the FTP server function, so your files will be available to you whenever you want.

The router is configured from a computer or laptop. The latter, in turn, must be connected to the router using a patch cord to the LAN port. The set with the router usually comes with one RJ-45 network cable (patch cord). Network card laptop (in settings

Hello friends! I noticed that many readers of my blog have problems with connecting to Wi-Fi networks, or working via Wi-Fi, in many cases, arise through problems in the operation of the wireless network adapter. And not always to blame Wi-Fi router, which all at once undertake to reconfigure several times :).

Let's say a few words about what is wireless network adapter (in the device manager, or in the description of drivers, it will most likely be signed as Wireless Network Adapter)... This is a device that actually connects your computer, laptop, netbook, etc. to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Well, he explained, but I think you understand what I mean :).

If you have a laptop or netbook, then most likely it already has a built-in wireless network adapter (unless the device is old, or even very old)... If this is a regular desktop computer, then the wireless network adapter ( Wi-Fi adapter) is connected separately. Maybe for example a USB adapter such as, or an internal PCI adapter. You can read more about these devices in the article.

It doesn't matter what kind of Wi-Fi adapter you have and on what device. We need it to work stably and not to appear different problems with connection and work with Wi-Fi networks. And in order for everything to work well, you need to immediately install the necessary driver for the wireless adapter, and if strange problems appear in working with wireless networks, and you have determined that the problem is most likely in the device (laptop, computer, etc.), then you need to try updating, or completely reinstalling the driver on the Wireless Network Adapter. What we are going to do now.

How to check if the driver is installed on Wi-Fi?

If after installation operating system For example, Windows 7, Wi-Fi does not work on a laptop or other device, then most likely the operating system simply could not select and install a driver for your network adapter. I don’t remember exactly, but it seems to me that I have not yet seen a case for Windows 7 to install the driver on the Wireless Network Adapter itself.

Typically, this driver (like many others) must be installed from the driver disc that comes with the laptop (netbook, USB adapter, PCI adapter, etc.), or download the driver from the manufacturer's website for the same laptop.

In order to check if the driver is installed on the wireless adapter, you need to go to the Device Manager and see if it is there.

Click on right click mouse on My computer (or open My Computer and click on an empty area), select Properties.

Right click on "Device Manager".

If you did not find such devices there, then you need to install the driver. You can install it from the included disk, or download the driver for the Wireless Network Adapter from the manufacturer's website. Just look for a driver for a specific laptop model, USB adapter, etc. Below in the article, I will show you in more detail how to install the driver on a Wi-Fi adapter.

So you haven't found the driver? You need to install it.

Driver installed but Wi-Fi not working? We check whether the Wi-Fi adapter is turned on, whether there are available networks for connection, there may be a problem in the router, etc. If we checked everything, then we need to try to reinstall (update) the driver.

The driver is installed, but there are problems with the Wi-Fi connection(the device does not always connect, the Internet is often cut off, etc.)? - We are trying to remove the old driver and install a new one by downloading it from the device manufacturer's website.

Install or update the driver for the Wi-Fi adapter

Where can I get a driver for a wireless network adapter?

As I wrote above, the driver can be found on the disk that came with the device. Only this method has one drawback. The driver on the disk may already be out of date. And on the website of the manufacturer of your device, you may already have a new version driver and it would be nice to download and install exactly new driver... But if there is no possibility, or you do not want to search, then the driver from the disk will also work.

Finding a driver for a wireless adapter is not difficult. For example, I have a model ASUS laptop- K56CM. So we ask Google, or Yandex a request "ASUS - K56CM"... We find the official website in the search results and go to it (we get to our device page).

Or you can go to the site of your device and make a squeak on the site, specifying the model. If the page opens in English, then beep the language change button and change to the desired one.

Then, on the page with the description, in our case, a laptop, we are looking for something like the button "Download", "Downloads", "Drivers", etc. We pass on it.

If necessary, we indicate for which operating system the driver is needed. Then we look for a driver for a wireless network device in the list. (you can be guided by the inscription Wireless Network Adapter, Wireless Lan Driver) and download it to your computer (look at the date when the driver was updated for the latest version).

If you do not have a laptop, but, say, a USB adapter is connected to a regular computer, then formulate the request to search for a driver in the same way. For example, “TP-LINK TL-WN721N”, or search for the device name on the manufacturer's website.

That's it, the driver is on our computer. If you just want to install, and not reinstall (update) the driver, then unpack the archive (if the driver is in the form of an archive) to the folder and run setup file... Follow the instructions. After rebooting, Wi-Fi should work.

If you need to reinstall (update) the driver

If you want to reinstall the driver, then I advise you to uninstall the old one first.

To do this, go to Device Manager(how to do this is written at the beginning of the article) and right click on the Wireless Network Adapter. Please select Properties.

Then go to the tab "Driver" and press the button Delete.

A warning appears, check the box next to "Remove driver programs for this device" and press "Ok".

That's it, the driver has been removed. Reboot your computer. Go to Device Manager. You should see what has appeared unknown device (Network Controller)... This is our wireless adapter, there is simply no driver for it, now we will install it.

I recommend installing the driver in the following way: if the driver is in the archive, then unpack it into a folder. Go to this folder and run the installation file, usually it is called “Setup.exe”... Follow the instructions. After installing the driver, usually even without rebooting, Wi-Fi should work. And I hope it will work stably.

Another way to install the driver on a Wi-Fi adapter

Go to Device Manager and right click on the unknown device (in our case, the Network controller)... Please select "Update drivers ...".

In the next window, click.

Specify the path to the folder with drivers and click "Further".

Driver installation should start. If Windows reports that “Most suitable software for this device already installed ", then try installing in the first way (from the installation file).

I think this is a very relevant article and will come in handy for many, it was necessary to prepare it earlier :). If you encounter problems that cannot be solved with the help of this article, you can ask a question in the comments, or on our forum. Good luck!

What are Wi-Fi adapters? Determining the connection interface

First of all, I advise you to decide on the interface through which the adapter will connect to desktop computer... The most popular are USB and PCI Express. There is also PCMCIA (mainly for laptops), but they are no longer very relevant, therefore, we will not consider them. Let's take a closer look at receivers that connect via USB and PCI.

I think you have decided on the connection interface. As for other characteristics, there are no differences between USB and PCI. The information below applies to Wi-Fi adapters with different interfaces.

Choosing a Wi-Fi receiver by specifications

After you have decided on the connection interface, you need to look at other specifications... Basically, this is one metric: the data transfer rate over wireless wifi networks. This determines the speed of the Internet connection that you get on your computer when connected via a Wi-Fi receiver.

Also pay attention to the gain of the Wi-Fi network. I watched different adapters, the characteristics usually do not indicate the power of the antennas. If your computer is installed far from the router, where the signal is not very stable, then for good reception Wifi signal take the receiver with external antennas. System unit usually installed on the floor. Therefore, for better reception, the adapter can be connected via a USB extension cable. (if you have an external model) and put it on the table.

Wi-Fi standard, support 802.11ac (5 GHz)

At the time of this writing (end of March 2017) most of the adapters with support for the 802.11n standard are on sale. Wireless speed up to 300Mbps (may be higher)... The cheapest Wi-Fi adapters provide speeds up to 150 Mbps. I would advise buying such adapters only when you need to save a lot. Better, of course, to buy a receiver with a speed of up to 300 Mbps, and even better with support for the modern 802.11ac standard.

Also by connecting the Internet to the computer via network cable, and having installed a Wi-Fi adapter, you can distribute Wi-Fi instead of receiving. How to do this, I wrote in the article:.

If your PC was previously connected to the Internet via a cable, then after connecting via Wi-Fi, the connection speed may drop significantly. This is okay, and it does not mean that you did something wrong, or that you configured something wrong. True, it all depends on how much the speed has dropped. Tips for increasing speed Wi-Fi connections you can find in the article.

In the comments, you can leave your question, or share useful information on this topic!

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