When a Wireless Network unexpectedly stops working

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…

• Reboot the wireless router.

Try the wireless network, if it still isn't working then…

• Press FN + F2 and wait for the blue light to go out.
• Press FN + F2 again and check that the blue light turns on.
• Wait a few seconds.

Try the wireless network, if it still isn't working then…

• Reboot the eee.

Try the wireless network, if it still isn't working then…

• Shutdown the eee.
• Disconnect the mains adaptor.
• Unplug the battery.
• After a few seconds reconnect everything.

Try the wireless network, if it still isn't working then…

• If you are running Advanced Desktop mode the switch to Easy Desktop mode..

Try the wireless network, if it still isn't working then…

Launch Network Connections.

• Click on the name of the connection that has the problem.
• Click Connection then Disonnect.
• Wait a few seconds.
• Click Connection then Connect.

• If you get a popup with the message Status: Operation failed then click Details » to see the error message(s). Copy/paste any error messages into the search feature of both this WIKI and the FORUMS.

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:

• Click on the box to the left of Enable wirelsss.
• After a few seconds all the network names should disappear.
• Click the box again.
• Wait a few seconds for the network names to appear then click Close.

Try the wireless network, if it still isn't working then…

Launch Network Connections

• Click on the name of the connection that has the problem.
• Click Manage then Delete.
• Click on Create and re-enter details of the connection.

Many thanks to the contributors to the following forum threads for their pearls of wisdom.

• Network list not showing up
• wireless problems
• wireless problems
• No Wireless Connection
• How I solved my wireless woes
• Wireless Network Detection
• Help Stop the Pending!!!
• WiFi "Pending..." Problem

The standard Linux distribution that is in the eeePC is Xandros. The solutions below are related to this distribution with the default tools that come installed on the eeePC.

The Wireless Network status might be stuck in “Pending…” sometimes, after attempting to connect to an Apple Airport access-point. This may be due the fact that a WPA-encrypted network is being connected to with WEP. The fix is as follows:

• Go to the Internet tab
• Click on Networks (not Wireless Networks)
• Select the network which displays “Pending …”
• Click on the “Connection” drop-down and select “Disconnect” OR Right-click on the entry and Disconnect
• Click on the “Manage” drop-down and select “Delete” OR Right-click on the entry and Delete
• If you receive a confirmation dialog, select yes to delete the network
• Close the Network applet, go back to the Internet tab and click on Wireless Networks
• Click on Wireless Networks, select the network name you wish to connect to and click on “Connect”
• You'll now have a dialog that asks for the wireless key. Ensure that you've selected WPA, and not WEP. Enter the security key
• You should now be able to connect to this network without the constant “Pending …” status!
• When re-connecting to this network (assuming you've set it to be Manual rather than Automatic connection), use the Network Connections applet (Internet → Network). Select the network connection you wish to connect to, right-click and select Connect (or click on the Connection drop-down and select Connect).

It sometimes helps to delete all your existing configured wireless networks in the Network Connections (Internet → Network), then creating the ones that you care about. Then go through the steps above.