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bikermikey
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Thursday, December 7th, 2023 5:09 AM

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Dell laptop won’t recognize home Wi-Fi

About 4 weeks ago my wife Dell laptop couldn’t find the home Wi-Fi anymore had checked at local computer guy and worked at the computer store works Att the local coffee shop works at my neighbors house they have the old style modem my modem is new x7 brought neighbors laptop over here it connects ok

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10 months ago

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flatlander3

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1.5K Messages

11 months ago

Are you using an Xfinity rental gateway?   Hard to guess what you are using.  What model number?

Their new one uses combined 2.4/5Ghz signal band steering.  Their version doesn't work with a lot of radio chipsets.  That may be the case with your dell.  It's also possible your gateway's WiFi radio is dying if it did work, and now it does not.  Swap it out.  It's a rental.  The fast way is doing that at an Xfinity store.  Does anything else connect to it?   

You may be able to select WiFi "modes" as Xfinity calls them with the phone app, or you won't have the option depending on the firmware it is running.  That may have been updated 4 weeks ago.  More information:

https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/change-wifi-channel-xfinity-xfi 

https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/benefits-same-wifi-network-password-name-xfi-gateway 

You might be able to a get your laptop to work by using a small 802.11ac usb WiFi adapter on your dell.  They're around $10-15 on Amazon.  You may be able to update the internal radio in your laptop to a radio that can speak WiFi 6 -- that is very much laptop model specific, and if anyone makes one for it that will fit and can plug into the same slot on the motherboard. 

You could get a cheap 802.11 b/g/n WiFi access point and connect to that instead.  That would help other devices that can't connect to your gateway's radio.  You could also use a 3rd party gateway that can speak the same WiFi standard as your dell, and not have the problem.  Look up the service tag on the sticker on it at the dell site to find out what you have for WiFi hardware, and the WiFi standards it speaks, as well as your other gear before buying a gateway or mesh network system that is compatible. 

(edited)

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bikermikey

Regular Visitor

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7 Messages

Already swapped out the modem at the Comcast store and have tried two different plug in WiFi adapters and no help my two cell phones and printer and ring doorbell and shark vacuum all connected 

11 months ago

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flatlander3

Problem Solver

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1.5K Messages

@bikermikey​ There again, you need to look specifically at what the USB adapter you used speaks.  A bit more on WiFi standards:

https://www.lifewire.com/wireless-standards-802-11a-802-11b-g-n-and-802-11ac-816553 

If it's windows, try the troubleshooter too.  Windows can get wrapped around the axle.  If you want to take the OS out of it, download an Ubuntu linux DVD or create a USB memstick image.  Boot that, but don't install.  It runs as live without touching your hard drive.  

11 months ago

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bikermikey

Regular Visitor

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7 Messages

Ok looked at link u posted it’s Greek to me so which usb WiFi adapter should I try I’ve tried two from the computer guys but don’t know what they were I’ll try whatever at this point 

thanks 

11 months ago

0

XfinityXanadu

Official Employee

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300 Messages

Some of that will depend on a few things. An adapter with 802.11ac abilities would be one that can toggle between both the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz bands and be backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n. The 802.11ac bandwidth is rated up to 1300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band plus up to 450 Mbps on 2.4 GHz. Like most routers, there might be one that has multiple. 

As far as a recommendation of which model/brand of WiFi adapter goes, that one would totally be up to you. I would recommend asking your local computer guy as he is already familiar with the situation and may have a recommendation of which adapters work best.

Because this type of troubleshooting is specific to your personal equipment/device and not Xfinity-provided equipment and you confirmed other devices in your home are successful in "seeing" and connecting to the home network this makes this connectivity issue beyond our point of demarcation. That's why I love that we can all work here on our forums and discuss with others their recommendations and experiences which brings that many more awesome brains together! 

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11 months ago

bikermikey

Regular Visitor

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7 Messages

11 months ago

I found a WiFi adapter 802.11 on Amazon going to try that if it doesn’t work I’ll just send it back thanks 

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bikermikey

Regular Visitor

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7 Messages

10 months ago

Ok bought a 802.11 adapter from Amazon and can’t seem to get the installation completed for some reason I’ve tried about 25 times and it just won’t finish up I’m still at a loss here ☹️

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XfinityEva

Official Employee

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1.3K Messages

Hey @bikermikey are you still having trouble setting up the new adapter? If so, we recommend reaching out to the manufacturer. Please let us know how this works for you once installed. 

 

I am an Official Xfinity Employee.
Official Employees are from multiple teams within Xfinity: CARE, Product, Leadership.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.
Was your question answered? Please, mark a reply as the Accepted Answer.tick

10 months ago

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