# What is wrong with my laptop's wireless modem?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-laptops-wireless-modem/491206>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 29, 2009, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-laptops-wireless-modem/491206 "2009-03-29T19:48:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2009, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-laptops-wireless-modem/491206/1 "2009-03-29T19:48:37Z")

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I have a wireless router in my apartment. My PC is connected to it right now and has a great signal. My laptop generally has a good connection as well, but for some reason it occasionally stops detecting my router. This is one of those times. The weird thing is that my laptop is detecting my neighbors’ routers, and can even connect to them (the unsecured ones, at least). I’ve walked around my apartment with my laptop, even bringing it right next to the router, but it’s still not seeing it. I’ve tried repairing the connection and restarting my laptop to no avail.

What’s the deal?

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**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-laptops-wireless-modem/491206/2 "2009-03-29T22:22:20Z")

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> [@MOIDALIZE](#):
>
> I have a wireless router in my apartment. My PC is connected to it right now and has a great signal. My laptop generally has a good connection as well, but for some reason it occasionally stops detecting my router. This is one of those times. The weird thing is that my laptop is detecting my neighbors’ routers, and can even connect to them (the unsecured ones, at least). I’ve walked around my apartment with my laptop, even bringing it right next to the router, but it’s still not seeing it. I’ve tried repairing the connection and restarting my laptop to no avail.
> 
> What’s the deal?

First, I’d restart your router, not your laptop.

Second, do you have anything odd going on? Running the microwave? Near an airport? Tiny nuclear bombs in the basement?

-Joe