TP Link Wireless Adapter does not work

[Winston2001]

Hi,
I have just had a problem with my Windows 7 64bit desktop PC. I am using TP Link TL-WN821N Wireless USB Adapter to connect to my Samsung Smartphone. The motherboard is a Gigabyte B85M DS3H-A, recentlty purchased. The adapter worked on this computer really fine, until because of a virus attack I had to reinstall the OS. Then it stopped working. The adapter would show up in Network and Sharing center, only it will show 'Not Connected'. Device manager also does not show any errors. I ran network diagnostics,uninstalled and then installed the drivers several times, even installed the OS again thinking I might have made a mistake there, then carefully installed all updates and then the drivers, but the problem persists. Tested the adapter with other Windows 7 machines and it works fine.

What could be the problem? A driver issue? Or a problem with the motherboard? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Edit: The notification area says 'AndroidAP- Connections are available-not connected'. Also, tried the adapter with usb 2 AND 3.0 ports with the same result.

 

[Winston2001]

I forgot to mention: USB tethering works fine.

 

[Megahertz07]

It can be a "Win update".
I'm having same problem with my TP-Link TL-WN551G. Takes a long time to identify the network, says it's connected. but no internet.
May 8, 2018 - KB4103712 (Security-only update) Windows 7May - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[Winston2001]

Thanks. But I cannot find these updates on the list.
What can it be then?

 

[Megahertz07]

Do you have any firewall other than Win firewall?

Try this
Shut down your cell phone and restart it.
After cell phone boot, do the same to your computer.
Search for the router (android AP) on the WiFi connection options and try to connect.

 

[Winston2001]

I tried two different phones but neither of them works. But I can easily connect to the net with the same adapter on other machines running Windows 7.
While searching for a solution I came upon something called Intel Proset Wifi Utility. Can I use it as an alternative to Windows to connect? Will it work with my TP Link dongle?

 

[Winston2001]

Another thought: if I get a PCI wireless card, do you think it will work?

 

[Megahertz07]

As you wrote, it's not the adapter as it works on a different computer so a PCI wireless card is not guarantee it will work.

You didn't answer if you have any firewall other than Win firewall?

 

[Winston2001]

Yes, I have Eset firewall installed, bit I don't think that's a problem because I tried disabling it, with the same result.

 

[Megahertz07]

I had same problem that you do and it was the the firewall. Uninstall it and reboot.
Have a look at the Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections - Wireless - properties.

 

[Winston2001]

Thanks. I will do it and then post back.

 

[Winston2001]

Sorry for replying late...
As you suggested, I removed Eset firewall, but it did not work.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I purchased and installed a PCI network adapter - again from TP Link - and it worked! There is now no problem at all.
I am finally relieved that I could regain net connectivity, but can't say that I am too happy about it, because the USB adapter is now virtually useless.
Thank you very much for spending your time on this. Much appreciated..

 

[Megahertz07]

This weekend a friend gave me a TL-WN821N (Wireless N USB adapter). It is recognized, drivers are installed but it can't find any wireless radio. Seems to be the same problem you have.

 

[Megahertz07]

I spent all afternoon trying to make the TL-WN821N work.
I've downloaded the latest drivers from TP-Link site and everything is OK (Device manager, Network etc) but it can't see any wireless.

As I also have Linux in my computer. I tried it under Linux and it worked without any issue. Was plug and play.
So the problem isn't the devices (Router and TL-WN821N). It's something in Windows.

 

[Winston2001]

Just made a very important discovery, and wanted to tell you about it.


As I said, I had installed a PCI adapter. It was also from TP Link - WN781ND. I then plugged the other adapter into a USB port, but both stopped working. But I found out one thing: whenever the antenna was right behind the USB port, it would not work. If I move it away from the port, it would work again. So I connected the USB adapter again, but this time I used an extension cable for USB to connect the adapter. I then placed it AWAY from the computer. You know what? It began to work! I then pulled the pci card out and tested again with the adapter away from the computer, and it worked.

So do you think the proximity of the adapter to the USB port has anything to do with it? It might be stupid but that is what happened in my case.

 

[Winston2001]

Tested again and again and confirmed this weird behaviour... whenever the adapter is plugged directly into any USB port it will not work. But it does work flawlessly when an extension cable is used.
Could you please try it?

 

[Megahertz07]

It does NOT work when an extension cable is used.
As I wrote, it work perfect under Linux.
So the problem isn't the devices (Router and TL-WN821N). It's something in Windows.