Connectivity Issues


  • Problems can be categorized as either relating to
    • physical issues, such as interference
    • software configuration problems
  • Guidelines when troubleshooting:
    • Verify that the adapter is enabled
      • Check the status of function key toggles on a laptop
      • check that airplane mode has not been enabled or specific radio is not disabled
    • If a laptop has been serviced recently and wireless functions have stopped working
      • check that the antenna connector has not been dislodged or wrongly connected
    • If wireless device stops working, probably needs new battery
    • if problems restoring from hibernate or sleep mode,
      • try cycling the power
      • try updating drivers for wireless controller and the devices
  • If experiencing intermittent connectivity issues:
    • move the two devices closer
    • try moving the devices to a different position
      • certain hand positions can stop the antenna from functioning as well as it should
    • use a Wi-Fi analyzer to measure the signal strength in different locations to try to identify the source of interference
    • Cell Tower Analyzer or GSM Signal Monitor can be used to analyze cellular radio signals
      • use different frequencies than Wi-Fi uses
      • app might combine both functions