new laptop -only connects to internet, ermmm... intermittently

Hi guys...I hope maybe one of you clever clogs can give me some advice!

I recently bought a brand-new laptop, but am having difficult using it because it will only connect to the web occasionally. All of the other devices in our house are working fine, and the new laptop does show that it's connected to our Wi-Fi, but 9 times out of 10 I get a 'can't connect' message when I try to use the internet. On the 10th time, it might connect, but only stays connected for a few minutes, then drops out again... all the while, the little symbol that shows I'm connected to Wi-Fi is showing that everything's fine.

I also tried using an Ethernet cable, and got the same results.

I am not technical at all, but if anyone has any advice, I'd be willing to try it. Thanks!

Is it a Mac or a Windows laptop?

I had a similar problem recently when trying to connect to a network while I was away - it was self-assigning an IP address which mean it would 'connect' to the network but couldn't actually access the Internet.

It may be that you need to renew the DHCP lease for the connection or change the DNS servers.


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it's Windows...

I don't know what DHCP or DNS mean, but I can try doing some googling.. thanks for the reply.

When you say you have tried a cable, is it the same cable used with another device which works welll?

Also, when you do finally connect, have you tried doing an online speedcheck?

When you say you have tried a cable, is it the same cable used with another device which works welll?

Also, when you do finally connect, have you tried doing an online speedcheck?

Yes to the first question, no to the 2nd... what will the results of a speedcheck show me, and can anyone recommend a reliable one?

Yes to the first question, no to the 2nd... what will the results of a speedcheck show me, and can anyone recommend a reliable one?

We use fast.com to check the internet speed.

That's funny because we have a computer that does the same thing.  It always shows that it is connected with the little symbol, but the browser sometimes says it is not connected.  Sometimes you can manually disconnect and reconnect the wifi and it will work.  I don't have a solution though, I've been meaning to fix it for a while. 

I don't believe a speed check will tell you anything, especially if you have eliminated any wifi problems by trying the network cable. I think KSand is once again on the right track, the problem is your network settings or your drivers for your network card.  I would go to the manufacturers site and be sure you have all the latest drivers.  Also make sure you have all the latest windows updates.  Finally, call your internet provider to be sure that your network settings are all correct to be compatible with your router.  That might mean changes to your DHCP and DNS server , but the tech support people will be able to help you with that.

 Yeah, usually if other devices connect and one doesn't, it's to do with the internet/network settings on your device/laptop - something in your settings is blocking the connection.

The other day the internet stopped working on my laptop for no reason. It was still fine on all other devices - I changed the DNS server addresses from the ISP/router server to the standard Google one and it works fine now.


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I don't believe a speed check will tell you anything, especially if you have eliminated any wifi problems by trying the network cable.

Gather data.  Is the signal steady/fluctuating?

I thought you were a Trekkie....

Gather data.  Is the signal steady/fluctuating?

I thought you were a Trekkie....

Dude, Ksand agrees with me and she's the smartest person here.

My mobile and my laptop have a similar issue with our router. They connect but can have issues staying connected.

My husband usually resets the router and that helps. He also changed the security on it. I would have to double check to what. It uses a password we created, not the long string of random characters from the router. I used to have an iPhone and it had so much trouble.

He's also changed the channel it uses and that helps for awhile. There are a lot of wifi networks in a small area, we live in a bank of town houses.

my husband bought a new laptop from pc world that had this issue, apparently it was a known issue with certain hp laptops which was why the model was on such a good sale! luckily they allowed us to return it. seems wrong that they were allowed to sell it in the first place without disclosing the issue.


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Dude, Ksand agrees with me and she's the smartest person here.

Florida State University grad here Mayberry....that's like the second best state university in all of Florida.

Thanks everyone!

Florida State University grad here Mayberry....that's like the second best state university in all of Florida.

Oh yeah, I graduated from UNCC, known locally as "Uncle Ned's Community College"