You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
So I work for a large corporate company and like most people I’m working from home.
Laptop notification popped up to say it had lost internet connection and since then it won’t discover any WiFi connections. It also doesn’t shut down or restart without physically holding the on / off button which is odd.
The IT service desk are aware and apparently there’s an issue impacting a number of people.
Will be interested to see how this one pans out. I blame the Russians.
Unless anyone has any ideas of what to try. Obviously I have no access to the laptop settings etc...
I have no Ethernet cables so can’t try a wired connection.
Probably a windows update that has broken it, it usually is.
Generally, it's going to be that your network/wifi drivers have crashed, which a reboot should fix, if temporarily.
If you have access to command prompt (might be locked down), to reboot use: shutdown -r
Had a similar issue with staff yesterday. In that instance the WiFi adapter had been turned off some. Turned it back on using local admin permissions
Take it your personal devices can detect wifi networks? That would narrow the problem to the work laptop. Might just need the latest wifi adaptor driver installed - your IT support should be able to do this.
Yes my other devices can see other available networks. I’ve done the old reboot etc but no joy.
I’m mostly curious to know how they can fix it when they don’t have remote access to it and I have no permissions to access any settings.
Early finish for me today I guess...
I’m mostly curious to know how they can fix it when they don’t have remote access to it and I have no permissions to access any settings.
Locking down works computers to prevent users messing about with them too much seems like such a great plan until....
Usually a 'Flight Mode' type hardware switch on the side, or keyboard option on the F keys to either toggle the Wifi or turn all transmitters off (flight mode). Specific laptop model will help in this regard.
Look for an icon that looks like a transmitter mast or radar beam.
Some of our corporate laptops have either a hotkey combination or (on the older ones) a physical switch that turns the wifi adapter on and off. Sure you haven't hit one of those?
Have you tried turning it off and on again? 🙂
Press Windows Key + A (assuming Windows) and check options at the bottom to make sure it's not in flight mode.
It might be that the WiFi adapters were disabled for some reason, usually needs elevation to enable so will need a Tech to remote in.
If you've not got an ethernet cable you could tether via USB to a phone and let the tech in that way? If you've still got the box your router came in there might be an ethernet cable in there.
I’m mostly curious to know how they can fix it when they don’t have remote access to it and I have no permissions to access any settings.
Speaking from experience, with great difficulty 🙂 They might be able to give you a onetime admin password, if the PC has one saved on the system....
Officially an issue impacting a number of people apparently. So I’ve either got to go to the office or use an Ethernet cable.
I’ve ordered a cable for delivery tomorrow. We’re currently isolating as the wife has covid so going to the office isn’t an option!
I had to go into the office on Thursday - if our password needs changing, then it must be done on site, plugged into a cat 5. Thanks for warning us when my password could not be updated from home. Had to go into the empty office, and get IT to reset the password, before starting again. Fortunately, that password is usually every year.
Officially an issue impacting a number of people apparently. So I’ve either got to go to the office or use an Ethernet cable.
10 metre ethernet cable = nearly wireless
Occasionally you can get interference from a USB3 device plugged into a laptop. Try removing anything USB and see if your network reappears.