Why Is My Wireless Network Not Appearing?

by Andy Walton Google

An unstable wireless connection can be a drain on your business's resources, resulting in lost productivity and time wasted as you troubleshoot the problem. Wireless issues aren't always caused by hardware failure, either, with environmental conditions also having a major impact on the performance of your network. Learning what to look for when your wireless goes down can help you resolve these connection issues.

Router Issues

Your router is a good place to start when troubleshooting a dropped wireless problem. Begin by ensuring that your router is powered on, and that its power light is not flickering or cutting out intermittently. If your router does appear to be powered off, it may be overheating due to dust or debris in its air vents. Gently clean your router's vents with some compressed air, and retest. If your router has external antennae, ensure that these are correctly fitted to the device's body.

Physical Interference

For a wireless signal to successfully reach your device, it has to travel as a radio wave between your router and the device itself. Some materials do not conduct radio waves well, meaning that not enough of the signal gets through for your device to see the network. Metal is well known for its ability to absorb and reflect radio signals, but concrete, plaster and toughened glass can also cause problems. If these materials are in the path of your wireless signal, consider moving your device.

Electromagnetic Interference

Some household and office devices emit their own electromagnetic waves. If these waves clash with the radio waves sent by your router they may block your wireless signal's passage. Common sources of interference include microwave ovens, LCD monitors and cordless phones. In addition, be wary of interference sources located outside your premises, such as electrical substations and power lines. Move your router as far away from these interference source as possible, and retest.

Device Fault

Your wireless signal may be reaching your device, but not showing up due to an error with the device itself. One way to test this is by checking for other wireless networks. If your device can't detect any wireless networks at all, it may be the source of the problem itself. Turn your device off and back on again, and retest. If this doesn't work, run a virus scan and remove any infections found. Beyond this, consider contacting your device vendor's support team.

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