Laptop won´t connect to home "hidden" network

BananaWhoops

Not sure if this is the right area to post but here goes...

I´m not a complete technology numpty but this is really annoying me. Recently changed laptops as my Dell one died, and started using a barely used Toshiba one. I never had problems connecting to the internet router in our apartment with the Dell one. Now, my current laptop refuses to connect because it is a "hidden" network - which I didn´t even know it was before. The password is correct. I´ve tried everything, restarting router and laptop, disabling and re-installing the network adapter, nothing works. It´s annoying because it worked on Saturday, then when I tried on Sunday it took more messing around for it to work (i´m not quite sure what made it work in the end). Now the last couple of days I´ve had no luck at all. It has connected to other networks no problem. Can anyone help?? I´ve looked online but haven´t found anyone with the same specific problem as me.

I have set it up as a network to connect automatically and this is when I get the error message that the network is hidden. But if I delete it as a saved wireless network on my laptop, when I try to connect it won´t even let me get as far as putting in the passwork and just says it has failed. Please help, any advice welcome!!!

cookie1977

Have you reset the modem to original settings and start again

Hijpo

cookie1977 wrote: »

Have you reset the modem to original settings and start again

Have you turned off ssid broadcasts on the router? Where you set it to connect automatically, try checking the box that says connect even if ssid isnt broadcast... Or something along those lines.

mp22

http://www.7tutorials.com/how-connect-hidden-wireless-networks

You will need a RJ45 cable.

PapaSierra

What authentification method were you using? If WEP and default router web interface password then maybe someone hacked your network and changed the settings?

Anyway, to fix it you need to do what's called 30-30-30 reset. At the back of your router you should find small hole with a button inside, a RESET button.

Now, take a pen and using it's tip press the RESET button and hold it for over 30 seconds, WITHOUT RELEASING IT switch the router off (with a power switch or simply unplug power if there's no power switch) and wait for another 30 seconds, then while STILL HOLDING RESET button power on the router and wait for another 30 seconds. Release the RESET button. Restart router.

Above procedure will reset the device to factory settings. I would also highly advice to delete all remembered network profiles in Windows (Nwtwork and Sharing center -> Manage Wireless Networks).

You can now setup your wireless connection exactly the same as you've done it the first time when you got this router.

Finally make sure you have WPA/WPA2 enabled and change your default passwords, both wireless key and router password.

Have fun!