Red X on Wireless Network.

[LTT_Member]

I recently bought a new Wireless Network Adapter to replace my old one after it had broke. It is a ANEWKODI 600Mbps USB WiFi Adapter USB Wireless Adapter Dual Band network adapter. When I first plugged it in everything worked just fine. Nothing was going wrong. But lately every time I restart my computer I would get a Red X on my wireless network. I have spent hours trying to resolve this issue and other than buying a new one I want to know what the problem was. I tried updating drivers, uninstalling and re installing, disabling power management, disable and enabled it, and so on. It does work on occasions but only after I unplug it and plug it back in. But then it disconnects from my USB ports after I restart the computer or have it shut down for several hours. I am wondering what are some other solutions that I can try that will fix my wifi network problem? I am currently running Windows 10.

[Chronified]

Sounds like it's overheating, a common issue with many cheaper USB wireless adapters.

The further you are from the signal, or if you're actively searching for networks, the harder the adapter needs to work and the more heat it'll produce. 

If there's available software for it, download it and see if you can turn the signal strength down from 10 to 6 or 7. 

 

4 possible solutions,

1) Drivers

2) buy a reputable dongle (TP-Link, Dlink etc), 

3) buy an AP (access point) for your desktop (wireless router in reverse, takes wifi and gives LAN), 

or 4) create some kind of janktastic solution to cool your current adapter. It could be as easy as taking the casing off and using a USB fan, or as dumb as putting a penny and some thermal paste inside the casing. 

[Alex Atkin UK]

7 hours ago, Chronified said:

Sounds like it's overheating, a common issue with many cheaper USB wireless adapters.

The further you are from the signal, or if you're actively searching for networks, the harder the adapter needs to work and the more heat it'll produce. 

If there's available software for it, download it and see if you can turn the signal strength down from 10 to 6 or 7. 

 

4 possible solutions,

1) Drivers

2) buy a reputable dongle (TP-Link, Dlink etc), 

3) buy an AP (access point) for your desktop (wireless router in reverse, takes wifi and gives LAN), 

or 4) create some kind of janktastic solution to cool your current adapter. It could be as easy as taking the casing off and using a USB fan, or as dumb as putting a penny and some thermal paste inside the casing. 

3) An Access Point is what broadcasts WiFi, identical to how a wireless router works.

I'm not sure if there is an official definition of what you are describing, its basically a WiFi to Ethernet bridge where it "pretends" to be a WiFi Client then translates that traffic back into ethernet for a single device.  It seems every vendor calls them something different, such as https://www.netgear.com/home/products/connected-entertainment/gaming-home-theater/WNCE2001.aspx.

Also, it seems unlikely this is heat related as they said it ONLY happens when they reboot.  So it seems the device is not correctly resetting due to either a bug in the drivers or hardware itself.

Personally I wouldn't recommend getting 802.11n devices anyway, its old technology and even if your router isn't 802.11ac today, it might be upgraded later so better to have an adapter that supports it.

[LTT_Member]

I have encountered a new problem after doing some more fixes. 

 

So I tried to unplug my network adapter into another USB port to see if that will change. I did manage to get rid of the Red X but my PC was confused after I put in my Keyboard and Mouse in the blue USB slots. I then switched it back with my Wifi dongle in the blue port. When I plugged it back in it got rid of the Red X problem. But only now to have a problem with a white asterisk symbol next to my Wifi network. I tried to type in my password to my Wifi network and it would not let me in. Even if I got the password totally correct. It would then switch to a Red X next to the ethernet icon and then a white asterisk symbol afterwards.

[Chronified]

1 hour ago, Alex Atkin UK said:

3) An Access Point is what broadcasts WiFi, identical to how a wireless router works.

I'm not sure if there is an official definition of what you are describing, its basically a WiFi to Ethernet bridge where it "pretends" to be a WiFi Client then translates that traffic back into ethernet for a single device.  It seems every vendor calls them something different, such as https://www.netgear.com/home/products/connected-entertainment/gaming-home-theater/WNCE2001.aspx.
 

All new Asus routers have this feature, as well as most TP-Link and Dlink routers newer than 2014 that aren't <$50. 

 

Tech community commonly refers to them as a Wireless AP because we all know to call the router a router. The technical term is "bridge mode" for what you select on the router, or a "bridge router" for the smaller, dedicated ones you commonly see in Hotel rooms like this guy

[Chronified]

18 minutes ago, LTT_Member said:

 new problem 

PC confused

 white asterisk symbol

t would not let me in

Red X next to the ethernet icon

As for your adapter, I'd say it's as good as toast. 

 

Go on Amazon/eBay and search "bridge router" and get the cheapest option with prime you can. 

I'd suggest this $40 guy. Does what I was talking about in the comment above. 
https://www.amazon.ca/TP-Link-TL-WR802N-Wireless-Repeater-300Mbps/dp/B00TQEX8BO/ref=sr_1_1?rps=1&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1541914772&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=wireless+bridge+router&amp;refinements=p_85%3A5690392011

 

[LTT_Member]

Now whenever I unplug my USB wireless network and plug it back in my PC will shut off and restart. I did that again recently and my PC won't turn on when I hit the power.

 

Edit: PC restarted after I unpluged network adapter.

 

[Chronified]

3 hours ago, LTT_Member said:

Now whenever I unplug my USB wireless network and plug it back in my PC will shut off and restart. I did that again recently and my PC won't turn on when I hit the power.

 

Edit: PC restarted after I unpluged network adapter.

 

Please, for the sake of your PC, return the adapter.

 

If you have an Android phone you can use your phone as the WiFi dongle until you get a new one.