Leicester_H Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Hi I have a reasonably high spec desk top PC. It uses an external adaptor (http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/cat-11_TL-WN822N.html) which plugs into a USB socket on my PC to connect to house wireless network. For 2 years, it has worked fine - lost connection approx. twice(?) per year – but now its losing connection many times per hour. Nothing has changed as far as I know. Same router in same position, no furniture moved, no new electrical equipment, etc. etc. So I downloaded a free WiFi analyser (https://www.acrylicwifi.com/en/wlan-software/wlan-scanner-acrylic-wifi-free/). It shows the Wi-Fi signal is very low (-84dB) – similar size to several other networks around here – so I suspected that this is the problem However, if I plug the WiFi adaptor (in same position) into my laptop, using same WiFi analyser, I get much larger signal (-54dB) – so actual signal from router seems fine. (Which is as suspected as OH isn’t having any problems on his devices). I have tried plugging Wi-Fi adapter into another USB socket (using a powered USB hub) in case that particular socket is ‘iffy’ but signal level was the same. So I have no idea what the problem is or how to fix it – anyone got any ideas please ? (its driving me mad!!!) H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 is your computer picking up the right router and/or network or doe's the driver need updating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted December 6, 2015 Author Share Posted December 6, 2015 Yes - logged onto correct network and adaptor driver up to date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 I've just tried the WiFi analyser I couldn't get it to work so I've deleted it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Would it be worth uninstalling the software for the adapter and starting again? Some of the settings have obviously changed (I never know how that happens ). Or can you get into the settings for the adapter and have a look? Who's your broadband provider? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Can you try another adapter - they do burn out eventually. We used similar at work and had to buy new ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted December 6, 2015 Author Share Posted December 6, 2015 Can you try another adapter - they do burn out eventually. We used similar at work and had to buy new ones. but it works absolutely fine when plugged into my laptop ? H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Would it be worth uninstalling the software for the adapter and starting again? That would be my advice too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted December 6, 2015 Author Share Posted December 6, 2015 Would it be worth uninstalling the software for the adapter and starting again? That would be my advice too Which software ? (There is a configuration utility but I don't think re-installing that will do anything ?) Ta, H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 I would replace it with this. It plugs directly into your computer's ethernet port and makes it wireless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Can you try another adapter - they do burn out eventually. We used similar at work and had to buy new ones. but it works absolutely fine when plugged into my laptop ? H Sorry did not take that onboard =it may be the software then as ANH said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Would it be worth uninstalling the software for the adapter and starting again? That would be my advice too Which software ? (There is a configuration utility but I don't think re-installing that will do anything ?) Ta, H it depends on what's gone wrong but simply over writing it probably won't fix it you might have to uninstall either the driver and/or the utility software if the WiFi receiver has one normal sop is to uninstall then re boot computer then re install the hardware or if it's plug and pray sorry plug and play let windows find the device and install it and update if necessary but first I'd go on the device's web site and download the latest driver/s and install them it possible if not then it's a clean reinstall not an over write install Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Is it possible that the laptop is using its internal wireless receiver rather than the external one that you are plugging in, throwing your isolation logic out? Have spent far too much of my PC life chasing the wrong problem, as some things always change (especially operating system patches). Grandmashazzie's OH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted December 7, 2015 Author Share Posted December 7, 2015 Is it possible that the laptop is using its internal wireless receiver rather than the external one Unfortunately no - I selected external one. Will try removing and re-installing (but have already checked - I DO have latest drivers). Thanks all, H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 Is it possible that the laptop is using its internal wireless receiver rather than the external one Unfortunately no - I selected external one. Will try removing and re-installing (but have already checked - I DO have latest drivers). Thanks all, H they could be corrupted or might not have installed properly or a windows update has disagreed with them I've had all 3 happen before know I've also had at least one incidence of the system saying the latest drivers been there but not using them the only cure for that was to delete all incarnations of that driver and re-downloading the newest ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
