Network Icon Displays a Red X but I'm Connected to a Wireless Network


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #1

    Network Icon Displays a Red X but I'm Connected to a Wireless Network


    Hi!

    I seemed to have this problem for a long time. I am a little experienced with problems and programming, so if you could post pictures in the steps provided, it would make it easier for me!

    The network icon displays a red X symbol and an ethernet cable symbol with a computer screen symbol in the background. I'm currently connected to a wireless network (on Windows 7 Home Premium x64), and the notification box shows that I'm connected to the network properly, but the icon itself shows that I'm disconnected. I have tried to fix this problem by uninstalling and re-installing some wireless adapter drivers (Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter, VirtualBox Service - I think that caused the problem, and Virtual WiFi Filter Driver), I tried to clear the icon cache in the registry, and I used the troubleshooter for the Network and Sharing Center.

    I don't know what to do now. Help would be appreciated. Thanks!

    Network Icon Displays a Red X but I'm Connected to a Wireless Network-capture.png

    Network Icon Displays a Red X but I'm Connected to a Wireless Network-capture-2.png
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,670
    win 10
       #2

    Hi welcome to 7F

    that icon showing because you do not have an ethernet cable plugged into laptop.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I'm not using Ethernet settings. My laptop was preconfigured to be using a wireless network. The default connection used is through a wireless network. So, I don't think that is the problem, and I have tried to connect an Ethernet cable to the port.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 373
    Win 7 Ultimate 64-bit
       #4

    SkullPumper said:
    I'm not using Ethernet settings. My laptop was preconfigured to be using a wireless network. The default connection used is through a wireless network. So, I don't think that is the problem, and I have tried to connect an Ethernet cable to the port.
    You have two problems if I understand you:

    1. The wifi icon is not showing, even though you are connected to wifi

    2. The LAN (Ethernet) icon is showing with an X, b/c you are not using Ethernet, and you don't want this icon displayed.

    Working backwards, there is a setting or tick box in the LAN configuration to not show the Ethernet icon in the system tray unless connected. However I can't recall where this setting is offhand, though another way to go about it feeds into my next point...

    Have you right-clicked in the system tray -> Properties to select the icons you want to appear there, and hide the ones you don't? It could be the wifi icon is just not being displayed. And you might also be able to hide the unwanted Ethernet icon here.

    If the wifi icon does not appear even in the above suggestion, it has happened to me before that I get the Ethernet icon by mistake instead of the wifi icon, with the same results you are having. Here is what I have had to do to get the wifi icon back:

    First thing I try is something I believe you have already done, which is...

    Step 1: Device Manager -> uninstall all Network Adapter devices one by one.
    Click Action in top toolbar -> Scan for new Hardware.
    When done, highlight each network card, right-click -> Properties -> Power Mngt tab -> UNcheck box to "disable the device to save power." (That last step has nothing to do with displaying the icon but is just something to be set.)

    If that doesn't work or if limited access (gray icon with an orange dot even though you are connected with full access) then I do the following and it always restores the missing wifi icon:

    1. Right-click network icon in system tray -> Open Network & Sharing
    2. click Change Adapter Settings at left
    3. Right-click your active Wifi Network icon -> Properties.
    4. In the field under "this connection uses the following items" highlight each item then click the Uninstall button without rebooting between. Some items might not be able to be uninstalled. That's ok. (See pic)


    screenshot windows 7

    5. When done, click the Install button and a popup comes up with the words: Service, Protocol and Client ... click on each one, one at a time, and install the items you want but don't worry if the category only has stuff you don't need or want (like printer sharing or MS Networks)... just skip those. There might be very little to install back.
    6. On original Properties window (pic) -> click the adapter's Configure button.
    7. Click Power Mgmt tab to make sure it won't use power saving.
    8. Optionally click Advanced tab, click Network Address and fill in the router's address if you know it. (If not, it will find it automatically anyway.) Click OK to close Properties.
    9. Back in the main Network Connections window, right-click on [the name of your WIFI Network] (might have to navigate back a page to the main Networks and Sharing window) -> Properties for the Connection Tab where you can check the box to tell it to connect even if the network is not broadcasting the SSID.
    10. Reboot.

    Upon rebooting the wifi icon should be back in the system tray.

    Sorry but I cannot take screenshots of every step. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #5

    None of the answers here worked, but I found the problem:

    The Network Connections service was disabled.

    That didn't seem to cause any problem other than the icon looking like a network cable, instead of the wireless signal bars.

    To enable the service, press the Win key, they start typing "Service". Go to Services, find Network Connections (click on the Name column to sort), right click, Properties, and choose Startup Type to Manual. Start the service, and the icon should change to the Wireless settings one.
      My Computer


 

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