# Help! Can't connect to wireless router. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 21, 2009, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-cant-connect-to-wireless-router/518471 "2009-11-21T23:37:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-cant-connect-to-wireless-router/518471/1 "2009-11-21T23:37:17Z")
1. I had a power outage and suddenly I became unable to connect wirelessly to my router (on 3 wireless devices) 2. I tried changing the name of the router–all devices picked up the new changed name–so it’s broadcasting, right? If it was a fried wireless broadcaster it wouldn’t be sending out the router’s name…? (I changed it back later) 3. I tried rebooting the router (and the cable modem, just in case)-no change 4. I disabled the security mode from WPA2 Personal Mixed to “disabled”. I also verified that I’m not MAC filtering and that I’m “wirelessly SSID Broadcasting”. No change…Everything can _see_ the router, wirelessly, but they can’t connect to it. 5. I’m using dd-wrt and I tried restoring my router’s settings from a recent settings backup. No change. Note–wired connection works fine How do I fix this? HELP!!! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![HorseloverFat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e8cbc/32.png) [@HorseloverFat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HorseloverFat)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-cant-connect-to-wireless-router/518471/2 "2009-11-21T23:44:57Z")
You might have a fried device. Outtages and surges go hand in hand. I would get the newest version of dd-wrt and put it on there and wiping your current configuration. If that doesnt do it you might have a fried device. Probably wont hurt to try the linksys firmware too. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-cant-connect-to-wireless-router/518471/3 "2009-11-21T23:59:50Z")
I’m on the newest version. Any other options? I get the message “The wireless authentication settings on this computer do not match the requirements of this network”. But I get that even when I mess with the router and try to connect unsecured. ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-cant-connect-to-wireless-router/518471/4 "2009-11-22T00:58:38Z")
My neighbor has a Linksys wireless router that nobody could wirelessly connect to anymore. Powering the router off and back on (which is what I’m assuming you meant by “rebooting the router” - apologies if that’s not the case) did not help. Eventuually we used a pen to push its “reset to factory specs” button located on the back of the router and reporogrammed it from there - and things started working again. (Our next step was going to be heading to the local computer store to purchase a new router.) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-cant-connect-to-wireless-router/518471/5 "2009-11-22T01:15:23Z")
If a factory reset doesn’t work (and assuming you’re not overlooking something really daft and obvious), it does sound like part of the router’s radio might be dead. I had one go like this once - it was broadcasting, but not receiving - so I could see it as available from client PCs, but it was impossible to connect to. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-cant-connect-to-wireless-router/518471/6 "2009-11-22T01:27:14Z")
> [@sevenwood](#): > > My neighbor has a Linksys wireless router that nobody could wirelessly connect to anymore. Powering the router off and back on (which is what I’m assuming you meant by “rebooting the router” - apologies if that’s not the case) did not help. > > Eventuually we used a pen to push its “reset to factory specs” button located on the back of the router and reporogrammed it from there - and things started working again. (Our next step was going to be heading to the local computer store to purchase a new router.) …that did it, but I’ll be damned if I understand why! 🙂 Thanks to you and everyone else! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-cant-connect-to-wireless-router/518471/7 "2009-11-22T01:30:51Z")
While we’re here… is this a router with integrated ADSL modem? Because I’ve been wondering about those with DD-WRT… I had it installed on a couple of WRT54Gs that I was using as client/bridge for old machines with no wireless connection of their own, and I was really impressed with it - even more so the latest version, which I have installed on the devices in order to sell them - but does DD-WRT have functionality to run an integrated DSL modem? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-cant-connect-to-wireless-router/518471/8 "2009-11-22T05:54:10Z")
A pen? That’s not the right tool at all. You need an un-bent paperclip 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-cant-connect-to-wireless-router/518471/9 "2009-11-22T06:09:37Z")
Rebooting the router is a good step, but make sure you’re actually rebooting. Unplugging the device for a minute or two won’t wipe the settings. Most routers have a small button that you must depress for 10 seconds or more to properly wipe all settings. Usually you need to use a straightened paper-clip to do this. The button is usually designed such that you can’t press it normally.