Sony Support

Article ID : S500011070 / Last Modified : 11/04/2018Print

What to do if wireless network cannot be connected?

Wireless network cannot be connected.


    ■ Items to check the computer
    • Confirm if the power switch of the wireless router is ON.
    • Confirm if the wireless network is connected.
    • Confirm if the Wireless Zero Configuration service is on (only for Windows XP).
    • Confirm if WLAN AutoConfig service is on (only for Windows Vista).
    • Confirm if the network bridge is created.
    • Confirm if SSID or WEP is set correctly.
    • Check the connection mode of wireless network.
    • Confirm if the firewall is on.
    ■ Items to check the Access Point device
    • Confirm if the power of Access Point device is connected to the power.
    • Cut the power of the Access Point device off.
    • Confirm if the MAC address is set correctly.
    • Confirm if ANY connection is set correctly.
    • Check the encryption mode with encryption key connection.
    ■ Other items to check when the computer cannot be connected to the Internet via Wireless Network
    • Connect the power of VAIO and Access Point device.
    • Uninstall Utility Wireless Software.
    • Check whether the wireless network connection is normal when it is connected to other computers.
    • Update the driver of wireless network card to check if the issue can be solved.
    • Reinitialize the router.


    When wireless network connection is unstable, please refer to the information below.







    ■ Items to check on the computer


    • Confirm if the power switch of the wireless network router is ON.
      ※ Only for the power switch of the wireless modem of wireless network.

      The locations of power switch on wireless router vary with different wireless modem models of wireless network.
      Please confirm the location of the power switch according to the attached product instructions.



      ※ After checking the power switch of the wireless network router, please check whether the indicator of this router is blinking.


    • Confirm if the wireless network is connected.

      • For VAIO  models pre-installed Marvell Wireless_g_SoftAP Configuration Utility

        Check the state of Base Station in the operational mode of the wireless network.

      • For VAIO notebook models that pre-installed Wireless Switch Setting Utility and VAIO Smart Network

        After checking the power switch of wireless network router, check if the wireless network is connected.

        ※ When the Access Point cannot be detected, check if Wireless Switch Setting Utility and VAIO Smart Network are set correctly.

      • Modems with conditions other than what is referred above

        To check if the wireless network is connected, please do not bind Utility Wireless Software.
        Please refer to other items to be confirmed.


    • Confirm if the Wireless Zero Configuration service is on (only for Windows XP).

      When setting up a wireless network in Windows, ensure that the Wireless Zero Configuration service is started.
      Please refer to the steps below to check if this service is started.

      Remarks
      If users encounter the following situations, the wireless network may be interrupted.

      • Wireless network connecting failed is displayed in Available network.
      • Having installed a wireless network utility that is produced by other companies.

      When the wireless network is interrupted, please refer to the steps below to troubleshoot the issue.



      1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

      2. Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Administrative Tools.

      3. Double click Services.

      4. Double click Wireless Zero Configuration in the Services dialogue box, and Wireless Zero Configuration Properties (Local Computer) appears.

      5. Confirm whether the Service status is Started.



        If the Service Status is Stopped, please follow Step 6 to enable the service.

      6. Click Start, and then click OK.





    • Confirm if the WLAN AutoConfig service is on (only for Windows Vista).

      When setting up a wireless network, confirm that the WLAN AutoConfig service is started.
      Refer to the following steps to make sure that the service is started.

      Remarks
      When Wireless network cannot be detected is displayed in Network Connection, the service may have stopped.

      If the service stops, please refer to the following steps and start it.



      1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

      2. Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Administrative Tools.

      3. Double-click Services.

      4. When User Account Control is displayed，click Continue or Permit.
        Standard users can refer to the following solutions.


        If User Account Control fails to display, please follow the steps below.

      5. Double-click the WLAN AutoConfig toolbar on the right of the window.

      6. When the properties of WLAN AutoConfig appears，make sure that the Service status is Started.
        If the Service status is Stopped, please follow Step 7 to start the service.



      7. Click Start, and then click OK.





    • Confirm if the network bridge is created.

      As a style of network connections, wireless network sometimes cannot be used.
      Please remove the network bridge according to the following steps.

      Note

      According to the operating environment, removing the network bridge that has been created may make the computer unable to connect other networks.


      • Windows XP
      • Windows Vista



      • Windows XP


        1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

        2. Click Network and Internet Connections.


        3. In Network Bridge, confirm whether the Wireless Network Connection icon is displayed.



        4. When creating a network bridge, right click the Wireless Network Connection icon.

        5. Click Remove the network bridge in the displayed menu.




      • Windows Vista


        1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

        2. Click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Sharing Network Center.

        3. In Network Bridge, confirm whether Wireless Network Connection is displayed.


        4. When creating a network bridge, right click Wireless Network Connections.

        5. Click Remove the network bridge in the displayed menu.


        6. When User Account Control is displayed，click Continue or Permit.
          Standard users can refer to the following solutions.




    • Confirm if SSID or WEP is set correctly.

      Make sure that the encryption setting of the SSID and WEP is in accordance with that of the Access point device.
      After checking the settings of the Access point device, confirm the settings of the computer are correct.
      ※ When the network key is displayed as * (asterisk) and thus cannot be recognized, please re-type it.

      Please refer to the following solutions.



    • Check the connection mode of wireless network.

      The computer can connect network via Access Point except that the connection mode of wireless network is AD HOC.
      When it is AD HOC mode，modify the settings via the following steps.


      1. Click Start-Control Panel-Network and Internet Connections-Network Connections.

      2. Right-click Wireless Network Connections, and then click Properties.

      3. Click the Wireless Network toolbar.

      4. Click Detailed settings and confirm Visiting the Network.


        When Only Computer Interactive (ad hoc) Network is selected, an ad hoc mode wireless network is set up.

      5. Select Wireless Network can be chosen (Access Point Preferred).



    • Confirm if the firewall is on.

      Antivirus software (such as Norton Internet Security) includes the firewall function. Please check if Security Function is started.

      Note
      If Security Function is disabled sustainably，the computer may be infected with viruses or spy software.
      Please enable Security Function.


      If connecting the network when the security function is disabled, the firewall will interrupt network.
      Please check the settings of antivirus software.






    ■ Items to check on the Access Point device


    • Confirm if the Access Point device can be turned on.

      Confirm if the Access Point device can be turned on.
      Please refer to the instructions to learn more details on the Access Point device, such as where the power switch locates.


    • Cutting the power of the Access Point device off.

      Please cut the power of the Access Point device off.
      Please refer to the instructions to learn more details on the Access Point device, such as where the power switch locates.


      Note

      Cutting the power off will undo all the changes to the setting users have made, and the network cannot be connected. Thus, make sure that users have known the information of SSID and encryption.



    • Confirm if the MAC address is set correctly.

      Register the MAC address connection in Access Point. If MAC address is not registered in Access Point, the computer cannot enter Access Point via network.
      Ensure the MAC address has been successfully registered so that users can land on Access Point.

      Remark
      Regarding how to set MAC address of Access Point, users can contact the manufacturers of the Access Point device they are using.


      Regarding the MAC address please refer to the following information.




    • Confirm if ANY connection is set correctly.

      When setting "refusing ANY in Access Point", or "SSID is in the state of ANY" in the computer or Access Point so users cannot connect to the Access Point, they can use other Access Points to connect the network.
      Regarding the details please refer to the following solutions.


    • Check the encryption mode with encryption key connection.

      Setting encryption mode via Access Point may lead to the situations such as network connection failure or unstable connection.
      Users can remove the encryption mode to see if the PC can connect to wireless network.







    ■ Other items to check when the computer cannot be connected to the Internet via Wireless Network


    • Connect the power of VAIO and Access Point device.

      To connect the power of VAIO and Access Point, please refer to the following steps.


      1. End Windows programs and shut down the VAIO.
      2. Cut off the power of Access Point device.
      3. Connect the power of Access Point device.
      4. Connect the power of VAIO.



    • Uninstall Utility Wireless Software


      After installing Utility Wireless Software given together with wireless network products made by other companies, users may not be able to set the wireless network properly.

      Please try to uninstall the Utility Wireless Software.

      Note

      Before uninstalling, users must be sure to have known the information of SSID and the encryption key.
      When performing settings via Utility Wireless Software, users should note that uninstalling the software will undo all the connection settings and thus the PC cannot connect to network.




    • Check whether the wireless network connection is normal when it is connected to other machines.

      When doing this, please confirm if their Access Points can be connected to wireless network.
      If they can be connected properly, please check the settings of VAIO again.
      Regarding the details, please refer to the following information.



    • Update the driver of wireless network card to check if the issue can be solved.

      Update the drivers of the wireless network card.

      ※ When users update drivers, please check the settings of SSID and encryption manner in advance.



    • Reinitialize the router.

      Please reinitialize the router.
      Regarding how to reinitialize the router, please refer to the router use instructions.

      ※ When reinitializing the router, please check the setting information (authenticating the password) of Properties settings in advance.