Problems With Wireless Internet

Connecting to the Internet wirelessly is convenient, yet it's more prone to difficulty than using a wired connection. Computers use many different software programs and hardware devices to establish a wireless connection. Unfortunately, they don't always work together. However, basic maintenance methods can solve many wireless connection problems.

Types

Most wireless problems occur when you try to connect to your broadband-wired Internet connection on a wireless local area network (LAN). The most common problems are a very slow connection, failure to connect to the Internet and repeated disconnection. Possible causes of these problems include inadequate security on your router, improper installation or corruption of device drivers and forgotten user names and passwords.

Function

Whether you're connecting to the Internet through your LAN or you're connecting at a wireless hot spot, the connection is established in the same way. The wireless card or access point on your computer makes a connection with a wireless router. These devices communicate with one another via an 802.11 radio signal. This allows computers to connect to the Internet through the Ethernet network without a physical cable connection. It also requires that all access points and routers be set up with the same username and password.

Features

Most routers and access points have security features. You can set up your devices to use Wired Equivalency Privacy (WEP) or Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security settings in most cases. Some routers also include a built-in firewall and Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering features. Also, many routers and access points come with device drivers on CD.

Considerations

Using the wrong security settings can cause serious problems with your Internet connection. For example, if you use the default settings on the router, anyone will be able to connect to your wireless network and steal your bandwidth. Also, WPA security uses stronger encryption methods than WEP. Using WEP could result in an unauthorized party hacking into your wireless network. Improperly configuring your security settings can also prevent network computers from accessing the Internet through your router.

Prevention/Solution

When you set up your router, you must change your username and password. Make note of the new username and password and put them in a secure place where you can easily access them. If you're having serious problems connecting to the Internet with your wireless network, uninstall the drivers completely. Then reboot your computer and reinstall them. If you're using WEP encryption to log onto your wireless network, change the settings to WPA or WPA2 on the router and all access points. Ensure that the username and password are identical on all computers. Read your router's user manual or download it from the manufacturer's website to ensure that all security features are properly configured. If you're running Windows XP or higher, run the Network Setup Wizard again to reset your network settings on each computer. If you're trying to connect to a wireless hot spot, you must contact the location owner to resolve any wireless Internet problems. If you can't find the solution, post to an online tech support forum.

Resources

• Tech Guy support forums
• CNET wireless Internet support forum