ASUS Laptop does not detect Wifi every time it reboots

[cad3nza]

Every time I restart or turn on my ASUS U36JC laptop (functioning on Windows 7) after shutting it down, I cannot connect to any WiFi networks because it tells me that no connections are available, when I am 100% positive that there ARE networks.

I temporarily address this issue by going to Start >> Device Manager >> Network Adapters >> Highlight "Atheros AR9002WB-1NG Wireless Network Adapter" >> Uninstall >> Scan for hardware changes (which reinstalls the adapter) >> Problem temporarily solved, but passwords for wireless connections I've previously connected to are wiped out.

This isn't solving the problem because every time I shut down my computer, the issue comes back when I turn it back on. I have tried to reinstall the WiFi driver from ASUS but to no avail.

I am a complete dummy when it comes to these hardware / software things. Could someone help? Thanks so much!

- - - - -

From the sticky:

1. Is this a wired or wireless connection issue? Wireless.

2. Who is your Internet Service Provider (ISP)? StarHub. I'm from Singapore.

3. What type of Broadband connection are you using? I'm not too sure about this. Fibre optics I guess?

4. What is the exact Make and Model of your Modem, Router or Modem/Router Combo. Nucleus Connect (modem) and D-Link (router).

5. What is the Name of the Anti-Virus, Security or Firewall Software installed from the problematic computer? Norton.

 

[maxie]

Hi Welcome to Seven Forums ... Before Installing the Driver for your Wireless Card .. Install the ASUS Wireless Switch (Wireless Console3) Utility ... It should Install proper then ..

 

[chev65]

Every time I restart or turn on my ASUS U36JC laptop (functioning on Windows 7) after shutting it down, I cannot connect to any WiFi networks because it tells me that no connections are available, when I am 100% positive that there ARE networks.

I temporarily address this issue by going to Start >> Device Manager >> Network Adapters >> Highlight "Atheros AR9002WB-1NG Wireless Network Adapter" >> Uninstall >> Scan for hardware changes (which reinstalls the adapter) >> Problem temporarily solved, but passwords for wireless connections I've previously connected to are wiped out.

This isn't solving the problem because every time I shut down my computer, the issue comes back when I turn it back on. I have tried to reinstall the WiFi driver from ASUS but to no avail.

I am a complete dummy when it comes to these hardware / software things. Could someone help? Thanks so much!

- - - - -

From the sticky:

1. Is this a wired or wireless connection issue? Wireless.

2. Who is your Internet Service Provider (ISP)? StarHub. I'm from Singapore.

3. What type of Broadband connection are you using? I'm not too sure about this. Fibre optics I guess?

4. What is the exact Make and Model of your Modem, Router or Modem/Router Combo. Nucleus Connect (modem) and D-Link (router).

5. What is the Name of the Anti-Virus, Security or Firewall Software installed from the problematic computer? Norton.

As Maxie mentions you need to install the Asus wireless console utility before installing this driver. You can see the following statement is right there at the Asus site where you get your driver.

Azurewave Wireless Lan Driver and Application
Please first install the Wireless Console Utility before this driver installation

I guess we can assume that the Azurewave is the Atheros AR9002WB? After installing the console, if the Asus driver isn't working correctly you will want to try another driver version for this NIC. The driver in the following link may help in this case.

http://www.atheros.cz/atheros-wireless-download.php?chipset=31&system=6

 

[cad3nza]

Hi both, thanks for the replies

As suggested, I uninstalled my old copy and reinstalled a fresh copy of the ASUS Wireless Console Utility, then installed the driver. That did not work.

I attempted to install the alternative driver version as suggested by chev65 (and yes, it's the Atheros AR9002WB). I downloaded the file and found myself with this:

I do not know what to do with these as there is no application file for me to launch. I'm quite a dummy haha, could someone explain to me how to proceed from here?

 

[cad3nza]

[PROGRESS]

I performed a clean startup, which resulted in my laptop being able to detect wireless networks when rebooted. However, strangely, the only network that it did not detect was my home wireless. I had to uninstall/reinstall the driver again for my wireless to be detected.

This is extremely curious! I'll delve further into this clean boot thing tomorrow as I've to turn in now. Will keep you guys updated.

*EDIT* Clean startup was performed without installing the alternative driver.

 

[chev65]

If the system connects normally with a clean start up then it's likely that something installed on your system is preventing the driver from working.

Process of elimination, remove programs that might be causing the problem, most likely it's the anti virus software but I can only guess from here without seeing a list of installed programs.

 

[cad3nza]

Hmm, chev65, but I'm not too sure if I'm on the right path. My laptop detects WiFi on every reboot now, but the clean boot did not solve all issues - my laptop still does not detect my home WiFi automatically.

I'm pretty sure that my WiFi is working okay because no one in my family is experiencing issues with it.

Could this be some cache-related issue? /:

 

[chev65]

Hmm, chev65, but I'm not too sure if I'm on the right path. My laptop detects WiFi on every reboot now, but the clean boot did not solve all issues - my laptop still does not detect my home WiFi automatically.

I'm pretty sure that my WiFi is working okay because no one in my family is experiencing issues with it.

Could this be some cache-related issue? /:

Like I mentioned earlier, Windows can't really have these types of problems on it's own and the anti virus "Norton" is the most likely suspect for these types of problems. Uninstalling Norton using the special tool made to uninstall it would be my first choice.

 

[dsperber]

Sometimes the activation of all hardware (including wireless radio) takes longer than the rest of Windows initialization. The result appears to be no WiFi. But it's really a temporary situation.

An easy workaround after-the-fact, is to go to Start -> enter "network connections" in the "search programs and files field". This will show you the Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network connections dialog.

Then right-click on the wireless connection item and select "disabled". Wait a second or two. The network icon down in the system tray (notification area) should then show a red "X" over it.

Now again, right-click on the wireless connection item and this time select "enabled". Again, wait a few seconds. The red "X" over the system tray network icon should disappear, and you should now hopefully be able to see and select one or your available WiFi networks.

Good luck.

 

[cad3nza]

Hi guys,

I have accidentally found what I hope is the solution to my issue. I noticed that the two-finger scroll on my touchpad had mysteriously stopped functioning, after attempting to narrow the problematic service using the clean boot environment. I hence uninstalled and reinstalled the Synaptics driver (of which I downloaded from here). On reboot, I found that my WiFi issue had returned, when it had been perfectly fine for the past couple of days (I wasn't sure what I did exactly).

I hence manually uninstalled the driver again just to be sure, which resulted in the WiFi issue disappearing. Strangely enough, my touchpad functionality is back - despite me uninstalling the touchpad driver.

Eh?! I'm not too sure what's happening / happened, but my computer looks good now. If it remains that way for the next five days, I'll mark this thread as solved. Thanks so much for the help, guys!