How to Fix Netgear Wireless Card With Limited Connectivity on Dell Laptop

Troubleshoot your Netgear wireless card before buying a new one.

Dell laptops can sometimes experience connectivity problems when equipped with a Netgear wireless card. You can troubleshoot the card to find out if it is a real connectivity issue, or an issue that affects the card itself. If the card is broken or damaged, it is best to simply replace with a new card.

Instructions

1. Change the location of the laptop to see if the network signal is stronger in another area of the house or building.

2. Check to make sure the machine has not reconfigured the wireless network user name and password. Type in your correct network user name and password to login to the wireless network, the user name and password you used to set up the router. Make sure the wireless network your computer is connecting to is the correct one. Click on the network icon in the task bar next to the time and select "View Wireless Networks." Select the one you want to connect to and click twice.

3. Right-click the network icon from the taskbar near the time and select "Repair." This will refresh the connection settings.

4. Check the device configuration from the control panel by clicking the "Start" menu on the bottom Windows toolbar and selecting "Control Panel." Click "System" from the list of options and choose the "Hardware" tab. Click the "Device Manager" and select the "Network Adapter." Note the wireless card and whether it is installed correctly and enabled. If it is not installed correctly, you will see a yellow triangle next to it. To enable the card, right-click on the wireless card and select "Enable."

5. Reinstall the drivers if you don't see the card in device manager or see a yellow triangle next to the device. Insert the CD that came with the card or download the drivers from the Netgear website.

References

• University o Iowa: Wireless Card Troubleshooting
• UBC: Wireless Troubleshooting