Cannot see my SSIDs, but can see neighbor's. Other Win 10 machines can see my SSIDs. Please help!

Please help! On my Win 10 PC I can't see any of my WiFi SSIDs!  The 3 SSIDs on my new WiFi router all work great with my other dozens of home devices including 3 other Win 10 laptops and a Win 10 desktop ( and lots of MacOS and Linux devices). But my gaming machine, a Lenovo y700 laptop does not see any of these new SSIDs! This laptop does however see all of my neighbor's wifi access points and it is able to tether wifi to my iPhone's SSID. So I know the wifi hardware and software stack are working, but just not on these 3 SSIDs!  I have tried every step in https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/help/10741/windows-fix-network-connection-issues without any success. Why can't this laptop see those specific 3 SSIDs? Note, these SSID names are the same names I gave to the 3 SSIDs on my old wifi router. Could there be some UUID-related issue here blocking access to "protect me"? None of my other Win10 machines had problems with that though. They all connect nicely to these SSIDs. Also possibly relevant, I had been using PIA VPN software on this machine. I uninstalled it before running through the steps above, but it did not help. Just mentioned it for completeness How can I fix this? Is a complete Win 10 reinstall my only way out?

Hi Sad. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP here to help you.

I'll give you everything possible to try in order of priority so that hopefully something works. If you need help performing any steps I'll be standing by here to guide you:

Enable IPv6 in the network adapter settings: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/90033-enabl...

Run the fixit from https://support.microsoft.com/help/929852 (Re-enable IPv6 on all nontunnel interfaces) and reboot.

Which network icon is showing in System Tray: the Wireless waves or Ethernet TV with plug? Left click to see if any Networks show up to sign into.

If not right click the network icon in System Tray at bottom right end of task bar to Troubleshoot Problems.

Check that the wireless button on a laptop is toggled on. It may be a Function (Fn) key or it may be an actual switch on the side.

Try powering off modem, router and PC and then restarting in that order with 1 minute in between each.

Try all of these steps: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10741/...
https://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-reset-network-...

Update your network adapter drivers from the PC maker's Support Downloads web page using the full model number, HP Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

If you have the latest network driver then try on it's Driver tab also to Roll Back, or Uninstall and then restart PC to reinstall the driver. Try also all older drivers from Update Driver > Browse > Let Me Pick list working backwards.

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WIfi > Manage Known Networks, highlight and remove the network having problems, restart PC to see if it shows up again.

Try plugging in by ethernet cable to the router to compare, then plug the ethernet cable into the modem (if separate) to see if this might be an issue with the router.

You also are entitled to Support from your internet provider to get online on all devices. This is always included in the monthly bill. If your router is less than a year old they will also Support getting it connected and optimized.

Another option is you could replace the wireless adapter with an inexpensive USB nano adapter like this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XSFPDFX/ref=asc_df...

Or you can use an Ethernet cable as necessary which should connect automatically.

if this was caused by Windows Updates then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Installed Updates, then uninstall them from the link there, and hide with the Hide Updates tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

You can also use System Restore to get before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them: http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/how-t...

If this was caused by Version update then you can roll it back in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and then hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

______________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.
____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

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Hello SadWin10Customer,

I'm Independent Advisor and Microsoft MVP, here to help you with your question.

Please run Network Adapter troubleshooter from Settings app > Update & security > Troubleshoot. See if it helps you.

If issue still persists, perform Network Reset:

1. Open Settings app, click Network & Internet > Status > Network reset link.

2. Now click on Reset button on next screen.

3. In confirmation prompt appearing next, click Yes.

Let us know if this helps!
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Helping Windows users, since 2010 · Please remember to mark replies as answers, if they helps!

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Thank you for your reply. It took quite a while to follow the many steps in your reply, but I have now completed that, and the situation did not change at all.

On this windows 10 laptop (Lenovo y700) and one other windows 10 laptop (Lenovo y50-70) that all 4 of my new SSIDs do not work. These new SSIDs work fine on 3 other Windows 10 machines, and on 3 MacOS machines, around 20 Linux machines, and many iOS devices. It's just these 2 Windows machines that cannot even *see* these SSIDs. Note also that both of these problem windows 10 machines are able to see all of my neighbors' SSIDs, and I can tether both of these problem windows 10 machines using a personal hotspot on my phone.

So I think I have established:

- my new SSIDs are all working properly

- my Lenovo laptop hardware, and wifi drivers are working correctly

so I think it is quite certain that Windows is for some reason not showing these new SSIDs.

There is something special about these new SSIDs. They are being provided by a new wifi access point. When I created them I used the *same* names that the previous access point (now out of service) had been using. I am wondering if Windows noticed a UUID change or something similar and is therefore trying to prevent me from accessing these new SSIDs for security reasons? Just a guess.

Note also that Network Reset does not change anything.

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Thank you for your reply.  I have done both these things, but they did not help. As I told the other person who replied:

On this windows 10 laptop (Lenovo y700) and one other windows 10 laptop (Lenovo y50-70) that all 4 of my new SSIDs do not work. These new SSIDs work fine on 3 other Windows 10 machines, and on 3 MacOS machines, around 20 Linux machines, and many iOS devices. It's just these 2 Windows machines that cannot even *see* these SSIDs. Note also that both of these problem windows 10 machines are able to see all of my neighbors' SSIDs, and I can tether both of these problem windows 10 machines using a personal hotspot on my phone.

So I think I have established:

- my new SSIDs are all working properly

- my Lenovo laptop hardware, and wifi drivers are working correctly

so I think it is quite certain that Windows is for some reason not showing these new SSIDs.

There is something special about these new SSIDs. They are being provided by a new wifi access point. When I created them I used the *same* names that the previous access point (now out of service) had been using. I am wondering if Windows noticed a UUID change or something similar and is therefore trying to prevent me from accessing these new SSIDs for security reasons? Just a guess.


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Last updated May 11, 2024 Views 38,160 Applies to: