Unable to connect P52 to Wi-Fi, Ethernet or Hotspot

[baertracks]

My ThinkPad P52 with an AC-9560 card/driver has been working fine for 5+ years, but suddenly will not connect to either my local Wi-Fi or ethernet or hotspot. It consistently logs into the network, but returns a “no internet, secured” message. The same result occurs when trying to connect to my Verizon hotspot Wi-Fi. I have other laptops, tablets and phones which connect to these Wi-Fi sources without any problem.

I have followed recommended steps that I have found online, but to no avail, including reboots, device manager re-installing of drivers (uninstall & install again), network troubleshooters, etc.

I have purchased and tried two usb Wi-Fi adapters/extenders – AC1200 Wi-Fi adapter (ASUS) and a AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 adapter/extender (BrosTrend). They install and connect fine, and they find my available Wi-Fi, but in the end produce the same error message -- “no internet, secured”. BTW, I have also (within Device Manager) disabled the resident Wi-Fi driver before connecting to the usb Wi-Fi adapter, but this produces the same result.

To double my frustration, I am having the same problem with my other primary ThinkPad -- a T15g laptop. I reported this problem as a different topic last year, and at that time found a temporary solution. However, that laptop is now having the same problem, albeit using a AX201 card/driver.

Before I try installing different Wi-Fi cards, I’m wondering if given the above description that there is another possible cause of this problem. Or is it really two bad cards or drivers? And why don't the usb "external" Wi-Fi adapters provide a workaround? Your advice and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

FRANK (Baertracks)

[axur-delmeria]

Do you use some kind of antivirus/firewall software aside from the ones that come with Windows? Sometimes that's the cause of network issues.

[RealBlackStuff]

Have you considered a router problem?
Which one do you have?

[baertracks]

I have been using Norton 360 for years with both ThinkPads, and not had any problems. Nevertheless, I just paused Norton's anti-virus protection, rebooted and tested for an internet connection (via internal and external WIFI drivers). No joy. Meanwhile I have other laptops in the house currently using Norton 360 without a problem.

My Internet enters my house to an upstairs router (Surfboard SBG6580). I am able to connect to its WIFI signal using multiple devices (laptops, phones & tablets), but not using the two ThinkPads in question (P52 & T15g).

I have an ethernet extension from the Surfboard into my basement to my old and trusty Linksys SBG6580 router which distributes WIFI downstairs. I'm able to connect to its WIFI signal using multiple devices (laptops, phones & tablets), but not using the two ThinkPads in question (P52 & T15g).

I was hoping that there was a common (and simple) issue that I've been overlooking. I guess my next step will be to try swapping in some different WWAN cards (and drivers).

[RealBlackStuff]

Norton has been on my $hitlist since Peter sold it to Symantec.
Replace it with e.g. Malwarebytes or ESET.
Have you tried those laptops on wifi in the room with the router, or with an ethernet cable directly from modem to laptop?
When was the last time that router was rebooted? Dusted? Cleaned?
Your Surfboard modem/router is an antique, with very poor wifi-N and there are much better routers with Docsis 3.1 available.
Maybe time to split into your own separate modem and router?
What wifi cards are in those laptops?
If Realtek, replace with Intel AX210.

[baertracks]

My routers may be old, but were recently checked (and dusted) by a local technician. Rebooting the routers was an early step that I tried. And the routers/modem work fine with my many other devices. Is there a reason why a relatively high-end ThinkPad would have more connection problems?

I have tried these two laptops while sitting next to the upstairs modem in both WIFI and ethernet cable mode. It didn't work.

The P52 has an Intel AC 9560 card and the T15g has a AX201 card. My next step will be to swap the AC 9560 card with an AX210. I hate taking off the keyboard, which is why I haven't tried that sooner. If that doesn't work then I'll try Malwarebytes, but I'm not convinced that Norton is the culprit.

WAIT A MINUTE!! STOP THE PRESSES! I occasionally use Windscribe for VPN (maybe once a week for an hour or so). On a whim, I just started that program, and IMMEDIATELY connected with my local WIFI. And the connection remains open/solid after closing down Windscribe. So, apparently is was something related to the Windscribe (firewall, perhaps?) that was blocking my connection to my WIFI (even though it was shut down). Both laptops are now working fine (and I didn't have to remove the keyboard after all!)

Thanks for all your suggestions. I know that Norton firewall was mentioned as a possible culprit, but I didn't consider that a non-active program like Windscribe might have something "stuck open" even when it was not running. That will now be number one of my list to check.

FRANK

[RealBlackStuff]

Glad you got that sorted.
Windscribe is a freebie, maybe get something more official like Surfshark, or it's big brother NordVPN?