Wireless adapter not automatically connecting

sbetty

New Member
Messages
19
I have a Netgear WN111 wireless adapter on my PC. Since installing Windows 8.1 it doesn't connect automatically to the router. The PC says there are no connections available, so I can't even click on the router to try to connect. If I pull the adapter out and push it back into the USB port it connects automatically. Also, when I switch the PC off, the LED on the adapter continues to flash, so I have to pull it out and plug it in again to stop that. I've tried troubleshooting, compatibility check, reinstalling the driver and uninstalling the driver and getting Windows to install one itself. Any ideas please on how to fix these problems? Many thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
It's quite an old Legacy Product (Even netgear sites shows it is as discontinued) , with Windows 8.1 , Microsoft dropped support for a lot of legacy item drivers.

It's just one of the many issues 8.1 brought with older hardware , unlikely there will be a fix , but you could try and see if you are using the most upto-date driver.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    6 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    12 TB in 6 disks
    PSU
    TX650
    Keyboard
    G15
    Mouse
    Intellimouse 3.0
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbits
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Trend Micro
Thanks Wullail. I've tried installing the most up-to-date driver. I understand what you're saying about W8.1 not supporting these products or drivers, it's just confusing that when you take it out and put it back in, it works fine. It's as if W8.1 is looking for an ethernet connection rather than an adapter when it starts up and only recognises the adapter when you plug it in once the PC is on.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
I have a Netgear WN111 wireless adapter on my PC. Since installing Windows 8.1 it doesn't connect automatically to the router. The PC says there are no connections available, so I can't even click on the router to try to connect. If I pull the adapter out and push it back into the USB port it connects automatically. Also, when I switch the PC off, the LED on the adapter continues to flash, so I have to pull it out and plug it in again to stop that. I've tried troubleshooting, compatibility check, reinstalling the driver and uninstalling the driver and getting Windows to install one itself. Any ideas please on how to fix these problems? Many thanks!

You could try installing the driver in compatibility mode. Try the Windows 8 setting or which ever Op system the old driver worked with. :)
Using Compatibility Mode in Windows 8.1 | Teching It Easy: with Windows
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Yes, I tried that and it didn't work either, but thanks for the suggestion.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Sound Card
    High Definiton Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
    PSU
    Generic
    Keyboard
    QWERTY
    Mouse
    ELANTECH Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    12.68Mbps
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Oh that's an interesting idea. I'm not sure which version it is. I tried to find that out, but there's no indication, so I assumed it is version 1. How do I find out the version? Many thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
You could find that in Device manager, right click the Wireless adapter, select Properties and look under details.
Capture 1.JPG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Sound Card
    High Definiton Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
    PSU
    Generic
    Keyboard
    QWERTY
    Mouse
    ELANTECH Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    12.68Mbps
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Thanks. It doesn't say which version it is there. I did google image on the two versions and v2 has v2 written on the adapter so I must have v1. When I start up the desktop it shows the monitor and cable symbol which indicates it's looking for an ethernet connection rather than wireless as default. If I shutdown and start up it doesn't recognise the adapter unless I take it out and plug it in, but if I restart the desktop it picks it and works fine. Very odd.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
Hi there
Try also UNPLUG and completely RE-SET your Router - note this is NOT the USB adapter-- leave it for at least 2 mins before plugging back in. - Note though take a note of the settings before you re-set the router even better if there is a backup config file.

While the router is re-setting disable / turn off all your computers / mobile phone / tablet wi-fi connections.

(If your Wi-Fi is via CABLE then re-set the cable box instead of the router).

Also re-set any Wi-Fi extenders you might have.

Now re-start everything again.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Thanks. I'm not too keen on trying that. As it connects when I pull it out and plug it back in, and all my other wireless gadgets are working, I don't think it's a problem with the router.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
There are no working Windows 8.1 drivers for the WN111, in fact this adaptor was problematic even with Windows 7 for the longest time.

For like ten bucks you can purchase the DWA-140 and you won't have any more problems, although I'm not completely sure why you aren't using the built in wireless adaptor on your laptop, outdated maybe?

Amazon.com: d link dwa 140
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Thanks. I'll have a look at that. My laptop connects fine. It's the adapter for my desktop that's the problem. I just like getting things to work :)). It's a bit strange that it recognises it if I restart but not when I start up, which suggests it can recognise it but there's just a glitch on start up that could be fixed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
I've solved it. The problem is how Windows 8 shuts down. If you restart, it does a complete shut down which it needs to do if you are installing or updating software. If you click on shut down, it doesn't fully shut down, but saves a system info file which it uses to do a fast start up. To get it to fully shut down go into Control Panel, System and Security, Power Options, Choose what the power buttons do. Unclick 'Turn on fast start-up' and then 'Save changes'. While you're there you can also select the Hibernate option for your shut down options list. It now recognises my adapter when it starts up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
Back
Top