This article is about a wireless network that has previously been working ok but suddendly stops without apparent cause. It is assumed that the configuration of the wireless router has not changed.
If appears that there are several causes for a suddenly dead wireless network. Often, because the symptons of each cause is the same or very similar, the only practical way to fix the problem is to try each solution in turn until the network starts working again.
If you use Advanced Desktop mode and networking is mostly working except that Windows Network is not appearing in File Manager then click Launch / Applications / System / Administrator Tools / File Manager (Administrator) .
Otherwise to fix your dead network try the following in order…
Try the wireless network, if it still isn't working then…
Try the wireless network, if it still isn't working then…
Try the wireless network, if it still isn't working then…
Try the wireless network, if it still isn't working then…
Try the wireless network, if it still isn't working then…
Launch Network Connections.
Try the wireless network, if it still isn't working then…
If you are running in Easy Desktop mode then click Wireless networking. If you are running in Advanced Desktop mode then Launch / Console and type sudo xncswirelessapfinder.
Wait a few seconds for the list to populate. If the router you are trying to connect to is not in the list then:
Try the wireless network, if it still isn't working then…
Launch Network Connections
Many thanks to the contributors to the following forum threads for their pearls of wisdom.