How to use the Network and Other Troubleshooters

Table of Contents:

1. Using the Network Troubleshooter
2. Additional Troubleshooters
3. Turn Off and Then Turn on All the Devices on the Network
4. Configure the Wireless Adapter Settings for Optimal Performance

Using the Network Troubleshooter

Touch and hold or right-click the network icon in the notification area of your taskbar (located in the lower right-hand corner), and then touch or click Troubleshoot problems and follow the instructions.

1. Ensure the computer has the most current BIOS update, for more information refer to Dell Knowledge base article What is BIOS and How to Download and Install the latest BIOS?
2. When troubleshooting a Notebook, move it within 3-9 feet (1-3 meters) of the wireless router.
3. When troubleshooting a Notebook, make sure the wireless switch is on.
   Note: For more information refer to the Dell Knowledge base article, How to Turn the Wireless Antenna On and Off on a Dell Computer.
4. Turn off and then turn on all the devices on the network to reset and synchronize them, for more information refer to the Turn Off and Then Turn on All the Devices on the Network section.
5. Make sure the latest driver is installed, for more information refer to Dell Knowledge Base article, .
   Note: The driver is located in the Network section. You may need to transfer the driver by memory key from another computer or use a network cable connected to the computer needing the driver.
6. When troubleshooting a Notebook, make sure the correct network name (SSID) and key (if any) were used to create a profile.
7. When troubleshooting a Notebook, configure the wireless adapter settings for optimal performance, for more information refer to the Configure the Wireless Adapter Settings for Optimal Performance section.

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Additional Troubleshooters

Additional troubleshooters are available to help fix issues. To access them perform the following steps.

1. In the search box type troubleshooter.
2. Touch or click Find and fix problems.
3. Select the issue you need help with and follow the instructions.

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2. Turn Off and Then Turn on All the Devices on the Network

1. Disconnect the power from the broadband modem and leave the broadband modem disconnected for at least 3 minutes.

• Shut down all the computers that are connected to the network.
• Disconnect the power from the wireless router.
• Verify that a network cable is connected from the Broadband Modem into the Internet or WAN port on the wireless router.
• Verify that no USB cables or serial cables are connected to the Broadband Modem.
• Connect the power to the broadband modem. Wait for at least 2 minutes for the Broadband Modem to initialize.
  (If the Modem does not establish an Internet connection successfully, unplug the Modem. Wait for at least 5 minutes, then plug in the Modem.)
• Connect the power to the wireless router. Wait for at least 2 minutes for the wireless router to initialize.

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3. Configure the Wireless Adapter Settings for Optimal Performance

For Intel Wireless adapters:

• Turn on the computer and try connecting to the Internet.
  1. In the Search box, type Device Manager.

• Touch or click Device Manager.
• In the Device Manager window, click the arrow sign next to Network Adapters.
• Double-tap or double-click the Intel PRO Wireless.
• Click the Advanced tab.
  Note: Depending on the Wireless Adapter installed these options may not be available.
• In the Property: box, click Roaming Aggressiveness and select 2. Medium-Low from the drop-down menu.
• In the Property: box, click lick Throughput Enhancement and click to select Enable: from the drop-down menu.
• In the Property: box, click lick Transmit Power and click to select 5. Highest from the drop-down menu.

For Dell Wireless adapters:

• Click OK.
  1. In the Search box, type Device Manager.
• Touch or click Device Manager.
• In the Device Manager window, click the arrow sign next to Network Adapters.
• Double-tap or double-click the Dell Wireless WLAN Card.
• Click the Advanced tab.
  Note: Depending on the Wireless Adapter installed these options may not be available.
• In the Property: box, click to highlight AP Compatibility Mode, select Broader Compatibility under Value: from the drop-down menu.
• In the Property: box, click to highlight Minimum Power Consumption, select Disabled under Value: from the drop-down menu.
• Click OK.

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