[Rivera42]

Recently I have been experiencing a problem with my wireless Internet connection. This issue has only occured twice, both times within the past month, and has never happened before in the two-plus years I have been using WiFi.
What happens is, during normal computer use, I suddenly lose my connection and receive the notification balloon that says "Windows was unable to connect to any of your preferred wireless networks. Windows will keep trying to connect..." or something to that effect. When I open the WZC "View Networks Within Range" window, there are NO networks listed, and instead there appears a message saying that Windows did not detect ANY networks within range. Normally, my computer detects anywhere from two to five, sometimes as many as ten, networks within range, including neighbors' encrypted networks. When I right-click the taskbar icon and select "repair" I receive a dialog indicating that Windows has disabled and re-enabled the network adapter, and that it's clearing the DNS cache, renewing the IP address, re-registering with (something I don't catch the name of, DHCP maybe?) and so forth. Following these and whatever other actions Windows performs, the connection is restored and I can once again "see" all the wireless networks within range. I believe this issue is on the local machine. The wireless networks within range are there all along, but the computer cannot "see" them. I'm certainly glad that clicking "repair" solves the problem, but I'm concerned because this really shouldn't be happening at all.
The hardware in use is a Belkin Wireless G-Plus MIMO USB adapter and a Linksys WRT54GS router. This computer has a built-in wireless card, but it is turned off through both its own utility software as well as the hardware switch on the side of the machine. As I said, I've used this router since '06 with two different laptops, including the current one, and I've never experienced this issue before. If it had happened only once, I could have let it go as some sort of glitch, but now it has happened twice and I'm concerned. Apparently I'm supposed to contact my network administrator, but I am he, and I've already contacted myself. The network administrator doesn't know how to handle this.
What could be causing this, and what should I do? Do you need additional information?

[JohnWill]

Well first, I'd reload the latest drivers for the wireless adapter. If that doesn't do it, maybe the adapter is failing, it has served you for several years.

[Rivera42]

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly.
It's the router which I've used since '06; the adapter was purchased this past Spring. I'll check into the drivers, though.
I believe Belkin's products are lifetme-warranteed. I'll have to check and make sure.

[Rivera42]

Update: their Website does not have a newer driver version than my current installation.

[JohnWill]

I'd reload the wireless driver anyway, just to be sure.

In addition, perhaps it's worthwhile to take a look at the router, some things you can try here.

1. For wireless connections, change the channel on the router, I like channels 1, 6, and 11 in the US.
2. For wireless connections, try moving either the wireless router/AP or the wireless computer. Even a couple of feet will sometimes make a big difference.
3. Update the firmware to the latest version available on the manufacturer's site.
4. Reset the router to factory defaults and reconfigure.
5. Update the network drivers (wired and wireless) on your computer to the latest available.

Many times these measures will resolve a lot of intermittent issues.

[Rivera42]

It isn't so much a case of not being able to connect to this router, but rather a problem of the computer/wireless adapter being unable to detect any networks at all, even when I know for sure there are several within visible range. "Refresh Network List" will at these times come up empty, until I use the "repair" option. After that, the network list will reflect the presence of the several networks within visible range. It hasn't been so much a connection issue as it has been a case of inability to detect any networks at all even when I know for sure several should be visible.
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[TerryNet]

There's a small chance that you have another wireless utility running--maybe a Belkin one that came with the adapter or Dell WLAN. If so you usually get the problem at least twice an hour, not twice a month, but worth checking. Pretty sure that Dell WLAN runs as a service, as WZC does.

[Rivera42]

I have already disabled the Belkin and Dell WLAN (Card) "Wireless Networking Utility" programs months ago. I used WinPatrol to disable the Belkin program from loading at startup. All I use is Windows' WZC, along with the Dell Network Assistant program, which has never given me an ounce of trouble.
Posted via Mobile Device