How to Tell if Your Computer Is WiFi Compatible
A computer must have a wireless network interface controller, or wireless adapter, installed to connect to a Wi-Fi network. The adapter enables the computer to detect Wi-Fi signals from a router so that the PC can transfer and receive data over the Internet. Wi-Fi is based on the Institute of Electrical Engineers 802.11 standards; the three most common specifications are 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n. Older routers might not support 802.11g or 802.11n, however, and some routers can be configured to broadcast Wi-Fi signals only using certain 802.11 specifications. If your adapter uses an unsupported version of 802.11, the PC won't be able to connect to your business' network.
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Click "Start | Control Panel | Network and Internet | Network and Sharing Center."
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Click "Change Adapter Settings." If "Wireless Network Connection" appears in the list of available connections, the computer is Wi-Fi compatible.
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Double-click the connection to view the device status. Click "Properties" and select "Configure."
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Click the "Advanced" tab and select "Wireless Mode" to see which wireless networks the adapter can connect to.
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Open a Web browser and sign on to your router's configuration page. Enter your log in credentials, if prompted.
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Browse through the menus to find the Wireless Mode option. View the settings associated with the option to see which wireless modes the router supports. If your adapter's 802.11 specification is not in the list of wireless modes, the router might not be able to transmit Wi-Fi signals to the PC.
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Click "OK" to close the device window. Click "Close."
References
Tips
- Not all adapters feature a Wireless Mode option. Look up the driver model on the manufacturer's website to see which specification the device uses.
- If the wireless adapter is disabled, "Wireless Network Connection" might not appear in the list of connections. Click "Start | Control Panel | Hardware and Sound | Device Manager" and then double-click "Network Adapters" to see if there is a disabled adapter in the list. Right-click the device and click "Enable." Restart the computer and recheck Network and Sharing Center to see if the wireless connection appears.
- The router configuration page varies based on the make and model of the router. Check the documentation included with the router for further assistance, if necessary.
Writer Bio
Ruri Ranbe has been working as a writer since 2008. She received an A.A. in English literature from Valencia College and is completing a B.S. in computer science at the University of Central Florida. Ranbe also has more than six years of professional information-technology experience, specializing in computer architecture, operating systems, networking, server administration, virtualization and Web design.