Windows 7 identifies WPA2 network as WEP

I have multiple devices (approximately 20 with various OS) attached to a wireless network with WPA2-Personal security. No other devices have reported trouble. However I began having trouble with increasing frequency on my work laptop and am now rarely able connect without disabling the security, restarting the router, and removing any remembered networks in Manage Wireless Networks . I have spent days online with Dell trying various versions of the wireless drivers, reinstalling windows, and have had the wireless card, motherboard, and backcover including antenna replaced, all to no avail. The most common error claims that the security settings of the access point do not match those saved on the computer. I can compare the settings with the UI and vouch that they do agree, however my computer keeps identifying the WPA2 security as WEP. Based on advice from another forum I ran a trace while duplicating the problem. The contents of this trace are consistent with what I've seen - the network security is incorrectly identified as WEP. The router is a TP-link model TL-WR2543ND and I've updated the firmware to 3.13.17 Build 120509. Since there are so many other devices on the network I would really like to find a solution that doesn't entail constant changes to the network security or leave it unsecured. I'm attaching a zip of files that resulted from the trace, will be happy to provide any additional required info. I've installed Xirrus wi-fi inspector as an aid in diagnosing the problem and it seems that occasionally the network security is correctly identified but once it has been incorrectly identified once, I'm screwed. The other bizarre symptom is that the network is frequently identified as 2 networks- this is visible in the log. One of them (the one not broadcasting an SSID) is always identified as WEP, the real network is sometimes identified correctly but generally is not.

I'm not too familiar with NetTrace but if you can post a screen shot of the ipconfig/all it would be helpful.

A screen shot of the Xirrus read out would also be helpful. :)

Are you certain that your modem isn't one of those modem/router's ?

Screenshots attached. I believe the router in question is not the problem because it worked fine for several weeks before the connection issue appeared. Now, when I try the old router that connected happily for over a year I see the same issues. Different brands, same WPA2 seen as WEP problem.
I've stuck the screenshots in a docx file with some small explanation and the text contents of one of the trace files that seemed particularly informative.

Have you tried a hard reset of the router?

The 30-30-30 Hard Reset Rule for Routers

After the reset you will need to type in your routers wireless set up information again.

I'm not sure which brand or router you are using but if it's a dual band router perhaps the 5ghz frequency is enabled for some reason and you don't realize it?

I'm assuming that you are using a security password for the router and that you have the SSID broadcast turned on etc.

More info but still no solution: The nonbroadcasting network that appears in the Xirrus screenshots appears to be our wii u. The bssid shown in the Xirrus screenshot for the non-broadcasting network share the first 5 characters of the mac id of the wii u. The location as shown in the radar map corresponds roughly to the location in the house of the wii u. When I turn off the wii u, the non-broadcasting network goes away.

With the wii u off I unplugged the router, waited, deleted the wireless network from Manage Wireless Networks, then rebooted the router and was able to connect with ease. For all of 5 minutes. While composing this reply the connection went away and any attempt to reconnect claims that the security settings do not match. Since the security settings didn't change, something is not being interpreted correctly and I can't even blame the wii u this time around.

Thanks for the info, chev65. I know I've done a hard reset within the past few weeks and it did default to factory settings but it may be worth trying again in the morning. I'll let you know how it goes. I've confirmed that the 5G band is unselected in the wireless settings. Your other assumptions are correct- security password and SSID broadcast enabled.

chev65 said:

Have you tried a hard reset of the router?

The 30-30-30 Hard Reset Rule for Routers

After the reset you will need to type in your routers wireless set up information again.

I'm not sure which brand or router you are using but if it's a dual band router perhaps the 5ghz frequency is enabled for some reason and you don't realize it?

I'm assuming that you are using a security password for the router and that you have the SSID broadcast turned on etc.

After the reset of the router.

If you can post the ipconfig/all from the work machine with the problem it would be most helpful. :)

OK, did a hard reset of the router using the 30-30-30 directions and re-input all the security settings. I am currently connected wirelessly, though this is not an indicator of success because I have reconnected previously only to suddenly lose both connection and ability to reconnect until I reboot the router and delete the network from my computer.
Attached are two screenshots of ipconfig /all right now in the working and connected state.
I will repost when I lose connection (if it happens). A new motherboard is being input this afternoon because power and display issues have occurred since the last one was installed on Monday so I may need to recreate new before and after pics after that change.
Further information: On the router I have DHCP assigned ips and ARP binding attached in order to be able to rule out some other issues and read the router logs more easily. These settings do not appear to have any impact on my ability to connect but I want anyone willing to help to have all the info. At various times I have ruled out router, software, and hardware, so am taking a much harder look at each component this time around.

While I was eating lunch the connection got lost again and could not be re-established. So this is before the new motherboard coming this afternoon. I've taken shots of ipconfig below, along with the error that shows if I persist in trying to connect. I've also attached screenshots of Xirrus showing first the network displaying as WPA2. The moment I enter a password in the connection process, however, Xirrus shows the network as WEP (second xirrus image) and I get the security settings error. No changes to the network were made between the screenshots in my last post and the screenshots in this post. No changes to my computer were made either. I looked away and had lost connection.