Network icon in the taskbar is always disconnected even when connected

[Windower7]

Title pretty much says it all. I am running Win 7 Ultimate. About 3 months ago, my wireless network icon stopped showing connected status. Please see below. (The picture shows a disconnected icon yet I am online via wifi)

Like I said I can get connected, but the problem is that the icon will ALWAYS show that I am disconnected. It is a hassle as at times the connection drops and I can't tell.

Any ideas on how to fix this please. Much appreciated.

 

[file3456]

I'm not entirely sure other than perhaps try uninstalling your wireless driver and reinstall it. I initially thought reading the topic title it was the yellow exclamation icon. That is actually generated if Windows doesn't make a connection to Microsoft to detect that you in fact have Internet ability. That's a registry setting. In your case it seems like it may be driver related. WIFI can be a real PITA and for me it's hard to diagnose on a forum. I'd have to be in front of the computer to look at it.

If you do uninstall and reinstall the WIFI driver, do so in safe mode using Revouninstaller. Then reboot and then reinstall the driver.

Something else that could be going on is the TCP/IP stack, but I have my doubts since if that was the case your Internet access would most likely be flaky.

All you need is the free version. Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download - Uninstall software, remove programs, solve uninstall problems

 

[sobranie]

If you are using a VPN (especially Express VPN) then the connected icon appears as a yellow triangle + exclamation mark. I haven't the foggiest idea why but I rely on the red express vpn icon with the green tick which shows you are connected.

 

[poodle767]

open regedit and navigate to....

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet

Under the Internet key, double-click EnableActiveProbing, and then in Value data, type:1

This was the only solution that worked for me when I had the same issue

 

[Windower7]

Thanks guys. Sadly, none of these ideas worked.

 

[file3456]

Even following my driver reinstall instructions? Did you follow them to a T?

 

[Windower7]

Even following my driver reinstall instructions? Did you follow them to a T?

I am going to try later when I get home. Will keep you posted. Thanks.

 

[johnhoh]

try logging off windows then log back on

 

[Windower7]

If you do uninstall and reinstall the WIFI driver, do so in safe mode using Revouninstaller. Then reboot and then reinstall the driver.

Do I need to reboot win into safe mode to do the uninstall?

 

[Windower7]

Even following my driver reinstall instructions? Did you follow them to a T?

How do I uninstall drivers using Revo? I looked through all options and scrolled down through programs one by one and could not find any network drivers.
Also searching for words like: "Network", "Network Adapter", "Network Controller", "Intel" in the search bar did not bring up my driver.
My Network adapter is "Intel (R) Centrino (R) Advanced-N 6205.

 

[file3456]

Yes, use safe mode to uninstall.

If you can't even find the driver scrolling though the list, then it isn't there. Sometimes they don't show up in Revouninstaller. So you'll have to use the regular Programs uninstall in the control panel.

Is it not under Intel? Make sure you scroll though the list.

 

[johnhoh]

I think revo uninstaller is for uninstalling programs, not drivers. So you can use it to uninstall any programs like Intel Wireless or whatever it may be called, but to uninstall the driver you will need to do start > run > devmgmt.msc > network adatpers > then find your wireless adapter in the network adapter section > right click > uninstall, and proceed. When it asks you "do you want to delete the software for this device", say yes.

I did not hear back on post #8

 

[Windower7]

I did not hear back on post #8

Sorry. I tried that to no avail.

 

[Windower7]

Yes, use safe mode to uninstall.

If you can't even find the driver scrolling though the list, then it isn't there. Sometimes they don't show up in Revouninstaller. So you'll have to use the regular Programs uninstall in the control panel.

Is it not under Intel? Make sure you scroll though the list.

Yes, I used windows explorer (control panel) to remove and delete the driver in safe mode, did reboot then installed the new driver I downloaded and still the same problem. I cannot get the bars icon when connected. I did this twice.

 

[file3456]

Try safe mode again and remove the driver. Go into device manager in the control panel and under Network adapters right click your driver and uninstall there as well if it exists.

Now run ADwcleaner and look at my screen shot. Turn all those on and run ADwcleaner.

Make sure you are just running safe mode and NOT safe mode with networking. Of course download ADwcleaner first before you use safe mode.


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[Windower7]

Well, this is funny guys. After so much hassle, after installing and uninstalling drivers a few times, the issue is finally fixed.

As it is usually the case with those tough problems that seem to have no resolution, the solution was quite easy, but I stumbled upon it by pure chance.

So I was reviewing my Bluetooth adapter settings and went to the Network and Sharing Center in the Control Panel just to notice that my Network map looks funny. It shows unknown. A couple of clicks later, I discovered that my "Basic Network information" tool was off. (Don't ask me how that happened ) Once I turned it back on, the magic network bars just appeared once again.

I just wanted to update everyone who participated in this thread and wanted also to thank you all for your suggestions and help. No matter what, I learned a few things during this process.

 

[johnhoh]

my "Basic Network information" tool was off. Once I turned it back on, the magic network bars just appeared once again

I don't know what you mean by Basic Network Information Tool. Can you elaborate?

 

[pmshah]

What I have found most effective is restarting your "explorer.exe". For whatever reason, even after having worked on this app for close to 30 years, M$ has not solved its fundamental problem, that of it freezing and not refreshing.

I use a batch file and run "pskill.exe explorer.exe" followed by say 3 seconds delay and then "explorer.exe".

PSKILL is one of the free utilities from Sysinternals, now owned by M$.