Solved Wired network has same name as wireless network - how do I change?

[RhinoCan]

I set up a wireless network on my router some time ago. It's called Balmer.

I can't connect to my wireless network with my Windows 7 laptop any more. However, if I connect an ethernet cable to the router from that laptop, it connects just fine as long as the cable is connected. However, it identifies the *WIRED* network as Balmer. I would really like this laptop to connect to the *wireless* Balmer network so I don't have to plug in the ethernet cable.

I *think* the problem with the Windows 7 laptop is that it seems to think Balmer is a *wired* network at the same time as there is an actual WIRELESS network with the same name. I wonder if that is confusing the laptop somehow and keeping it from connecting wirelessly? If so, what do I do about it? I've tried deleting the existing (wired) network connection but it only gives me a Merge option; the delete option is greyed out.

(I should mention that my Windows 8.1 laptop connects wireless to Balmer just fine as does my cell phone. Clearly, something is messed up in the network settings for the Windows 7 machine alone.)

I'd really appreciate some guidance on how to get the Windows 7 machine connecting to Balmer wirelessly again.

 

[essenbe]

When you set up your network did you happen to change the password? My network has the same name whether I connect wired or wireless. That should not be an issue. If you connect Wired, you do not have to enter a password. Disconnect the Ethernet cable and click on your wireless icon, if it says connected, click on it and you should have the option to disconnect. It should show you all connections available to it. Click on your network, click connect and you should be asked for a password. Enter the password and it should connect.

 

[RhinoCan]

I am connected to Balmer wirelessly again

Thank you for informing me that I did *not* have a wired and wireless network with the same name; that really had me going!

I did what you suggested and disconnected the ethernet cable and looked for all the available wireless networks. I have my SSID hidden in the router settings so I got two hidden networks in the list. I connected to the one with the best signal, gave it the name Balmer and the password, and I was connected wirelessly, exactly as I wanted to be.

The thing I don't understand is why that worked this time. Previously, I was seeing all kinds of wireless networks but only one of the two hidden networks - and the hidden network was NOT Balmer. What did I do that suddenly made Balmer visible again? I swear, I tried finding Balmer at least a half dozen times over several days and it was never there, which is why I had to go to an Ethernet connection. Simply connecting and disconnecting the ethernet cable certainly shouldn't have fixed anything; I had done that several times before without Balmer becoming visible.

I'd be very interested in learning why Balmer became visible again if you have any ideas.

 

[essenbe]

I'm glad it worked for you. I really have no idea why it wouldn't 'see' the other network, unless it could be the fact that it was, or thought it was, already connected so only looked for the one it was connected to. That is perhaps a stretch, but other than that, I have no idea. With mine, I know it seems it doesn't look very hard if it is connected. It seems it is only looking for the one it is connected to. But if it is not connected I see more available networks.

 

[RhinoCan]

I'm glad it worked for you. I really have no idea why it wouldn't 'see' the other network, unless it could be the fact that it was, or thought it was, already connected so only looked for the one it was connected to. That is perhaps a stretch, but other than that, I have no idea. With mine, I know it seems it doesn't look very hard if it is connected. It seems it is only looking for the one it is connected to. But if it is not connected I see more available networks.

Fair enough. I suppose it will have to remain a mystery why it suddenly started seeing my wireless network again.

I'm marking this solved now. Thanks again for your help!