Wireless router troubleshooting

Tips for troubleshooting wireless router related issues.

Note: Before you attempt any troubleshooting it is worth updating your wireless router’s firmware with the latest release from the vendor's website.




Cannot stay connected with to the wireless router for more than 2 minutes in Windows XP:

Try disabling Wireless Zero Configuration and instead use the vendor’s software that came with your adaptor card. Some vendor’s software is preferable to the built in Windows wireless configuration software.

  • Click Start
  • Go to the Control Panel
  • Go to the Administrative Tools
  • Click Services
  • Go to Wireless Zero Configuration
  • Right click and select properties
  • Stop the Service if it is running
  • In Startup Type change it to Disable and click Ok
Other things to look at for the dropping out of the wireless link is to change the channel number that the router uses. If there are many wireless routers that are broadcasting in your vicinity then it is advised to move the default channel number from 11 to a different number. Change this in your wireless router configuration set up.

Cannot connect to the internet:

Does your computer 'see' the network? Open a web browser and type http://192.168.1.1 or http://192.168.2.1 in the address bar. Is the word "Connected" being displayed? But when you open a browser and browse to an interenet page you get a blank page?

  • Check your Internet connection using another computer.
  • Are parental controls turned on (these may be controlled through your browser or firewall)
  • Check for firewalls or security software hamping the connection
  • Check your browser settings
  • Try to completely re-move and re-create the connection

The computer 'sees' the router in the vendors configation software or "View Wireless Conections" in Windows XP) but cannot connect to it:

  • Are the WEP Key and SSID entered correctly?
  • Check the adapter Configuration
  • Try to completely remove and re-install the adaptor software
  • Are you using connection profile software?
  • Check for firewalls or security software
  • Up-date the adaptor drivers

The computer does not 'see' the router at all:

  • Try connecting from different locations in the home or office
  • Are you using connection profile software?
  • Check for firewalls or security software
  • Check the adaptor Configuration
  • Up-date the adaptor drivers
  • Check the adaptor