Wifi networks are much easier to use than they used to be – but they can still be troublesome.
If your device is connecting to the ‘Wrong Wifi’, then that can cause these common issues
- “My device can’t ‘see’ my computer”
- “My device only connects intermittently”
- “One device can connect, but the other can’t”
You have to be on the same network
The key requirement is that your computer and your phone/tablet must be on the same network so that they can ‘talk’ to each other.
Normally, this will mean that both your computer and your device are connected to the _same_ wifi connection on your home router.
The simple way to check is to make sure that the name of the wifi network is identical on your computer & phone/tablet.
Things to check:
First try a reset. Reboot your router. It’s ridiculous how often that fixes things!
Connecting to a hotel wifi
Typically, hotel wifi systems are set up so that different devices cannot ‘talk’ to each other.
The only workaround for this is to create your own network.
Your Laptop may be able to create an ‘ad hoc’ wifi network. If it can, then you can connect your phone/tablet to that and you should be able to get things working.
Connecting to your neighbour’s network
Check that your device isn’t connected to a neighbour’s open wifi network.
Connecting to your own guest network
Many routers have the ability to set up a guest network.
If you connect your guest network, then you’ll be connected to your own home router – but typically, the router won’t allow your device to ‘talk’ to other devices on the network.
Connecting to your 5ghz network
Some routers have separate 5Ghz networks and ‘normal’ networks. Typically, this will have a different name (like ‘Kruschev 5GHz’).
Some routers don’t allow devices which are connected to the 5ghz network to ‘talk’ to devices connected to the ‘normal’ network. Try making all devices connect to the ‘normal’ network while you troubleshoot the problem.
If it turns out that the 5ghz network is causing the problem, then you may be able to tweak the settings on your router to allow both networks to ‘talk’ to each other.
Connecting to a wifi extender
Some wifi extenders won’t let your device ‘talk’ to other devices on the network.
If you are having problems connecting, then I suggest turning off your wifi extender completely and testing without it.
If things work without the extender, but break when you connect to it, then you know where the problem is and you can start tweaking the settings on your extender