Solved! No Internet, laptop only, Kindle works fine

[ptquilts]

I am about to go nuts with this crappy Toshiba laptop I bought new in January 2016. The built-in Wi-Fi quit working after a couple of months, so I got an Edimax external WiFi adapter. The driver is up to date.
I am staying in a place with WiFi, I do not have access to the router. My Kindle fire works fine, always connected and fast. The laptop, however, has problems. It will say, No Internet, or show that it is connected but every site will be Server not found, or Connection timed out. Then it will work fine for a while. I try disconnecting and reconnecting, pull out the adapter and reinstall, but I think I am just killing time. Sometimes it is connected but just very slow. (Fiber optic network BTW).

So do I need a new adapter, or a new laptop, or what? TIA.

 

[ptquilts]

adding, my Win XP netbook also connects with no problem.

 

[webworkings]

Try this....


1. Go to "Control Panel".

2. Next go to "Network and Internet" and then "Network and Sharing".

3. Now click on "Manage Wireless Networks".

4. On this screen, remove all wireless connections by "right clicking" on it and select "Remove network" from the drop down menu.

5. After doing this, close the open windows and reboot the computer.

6. Once the computer is fully reloaded, scan for the "Wi-Fi networks".

7. Click on the available network that you want to access and select "connect".

8. It takes a moment, but then you will be asked to give a password for your Wi-Fi connection. Type in the password and click the "connect" button.

It should now be connected.

NOTE: If this doesn't work, you may want to reset your modem/router, and then once it is fully loaded again, repeat the above steps. Yes I know you said you don't have access, but had to include this step.

If this doesn't work, test seeing if your laptop will connect via Ethernet. If so, then your WiFi card may be going. You can either look to replace it/have it replaced, or get an external (plugs in via USB) WiFi card.

 

[ptquilts]

I already had to get an external WiFi adapter, could that be going bad as well? After one year?
Also, I tried your suggestions but only got to #3, there is no Manage Networks.

 

[webworkings]

It is totally possible that it would go bad. Even after a year. The product could have been damaged, could have had a flaw, cheap parts. You never know.

You can try borrowing another external one from someone and see if it works. If it does, then you need new one.

 

[ptquilts]

And the answer is.... It needed a wifi adapter of the AC class... N was not good enough. Prize goes to Charlie at Best Buy.

 

[webworkings]

LOL Nice. Glad you got it sorted.