Manual Diagnostics Tool

Hardware Test

The test passes if the WiFi adapter is present and accessible. The test fails if the adapter is not present or present but disabled. The test summary displays whether the wireless hardware is enabled or disabled.

Troubleshooting

• Verify that your adapter is listed under Network adapters in the Device Manager.
• If the adapter is not listed, right-click Network adapters and select Scan for hardware changes. You can also reboot your system.
• Verify that your adapter is enabled in the Device Manager. When the adapter is disabled, a red X (for Windows* XP) or a black arrow (for Windows Vista* and Windows* 7) is displayed on the device. Right-click the adapter and select Enable from the menu.
• When the adapter displays a yellow exclamation point, right-click the adapter and reinstall the driver.
• Contact your computer manufacturer for other troubleshooting options.

Driver Test

The test summary displays the Intel® PRO/Wireless Network Connection driver supported by the WiFi adapter. The test verifies if the driver binary version is compatible with the installed version of the WiFi connection utility. The test fails if the driver binary is not found or if the driver version does not match the WiFi connection utility software version (for example, version 11.1.x.x and driver version 9.0.x.x, 9.1.x.x, or 11.1.x.x).

Troubleshooting

• Reinstall the drivers using the WiFi connection utility.

Radio Test

The test summary displays Radio On or Radio Off. The test queries the current radio state. If the radio is switched on, the test passes. If the radio is off, the test fails.

Troubleshooting

Verify that your WiFi adapter's radio is on. Use the following methods to turn the radio on and off:

• The hardware switch.
• The WiFi On/WiFi Off button in the WiFi connection utility main window. See Turn On or Off the Wireless Radio for more information.

Scan Test

The test queries the WiFi networks within range of your WiFi adapter. The test passes if networks can be seen in the scan list. The Test Summary displays the number of networks available to connect to.

Troubleshooting

• Verify that you are within range of an access point.
• Switch the wireless radio to off and back to on.
• Verify that the wireless band setting matches the access point band setting.
• Switch the access point to off and back to on.

Association Test

The test summary displays Associated or Not Associated. Association is the establishment and maintenance of the wireless link between devices. When security is enabled, the devices only exchange security credentials. The test checks for wireless connectivity. The test passes if the client is associated successfully.

Troubleshooting

• When the access point signal strength is low, use the signal test listed below.
• Verify that a profile has been created. If created:
  • Verify that the profile SSID matches the access point Network Name (SSID).
  • Remove the profile and create a new profile.
• Verify that your wireless network is not included in the Exclude (profiles) List.
• Verify that the MAC address has not been excluded in the access point.

Authentication Test

Describes the process after association, during which the identity of the wireless device or end-user is verified and then allowed network access. The test queries for authentication state information, including all Cisco Compatible Extensions and security-related information. The test passes if the client is authenticated successfully. The test fails if the WEP key or other credentials are not authenticated. The Test Summary displays whether authentication is required for the network connection.

Troubleshooting

• Edit your profile to ensure the correct credentials have been used for the WEP key, PSK, password or certificates.
• Remove the existing profile and create a new profile.

Signal Test

The test summary displays the signal quality. If the signal quality is low, use the Troubleshoot button to diagnose and fix the problem.

Troubleshooting

• Move your computer 10 to 20 feet from the wireless access point or router.
• Reduce interference by moving away from appliances (microwaves, cell phones or 2.4 GHz phones) or access points using the same channel.
• Try increasing the transmission power of the access point.

Ping Test

The test verifies whether the WiFi adapter successfully sent messages to and received replies from the access point IP address, default gateway, DHCP server (if enabled) and DNS servers. The test summary displays whether replies from these entities were received.

Example: Response: AP, default gateway. No Response: DHCP server

NOTE: If the ping tests to this access point and default gateway are successful but the ping test to the DNS server fails this is not a wireless network issue but a general network issue.

Troubleshooting

• Disable the security firewall and try the ping test again.
• Contact the access point manufacturer to troubleshoot your home network.
• Enterprise users should contact their network administrator.

Troubleshoot

Diagnose and fix problems displayed by each of the tests. The Troubleshoot button becomes active if the test fails.

Run Tests

Executes the tests that you have selected.

Close

Closes the page.

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