Wireless internet not working when PC is powered on.

[inky0ct0pus]

Whenever my PC is powered on the wireless internet in my house ceases to work. The strange thing is that it happens even when my PC isn't physically (no LAN cable) or wirelessly connected (no wifi adapter) to the internet. The modem, router, and PC are all plugged into the same surge protector so I tried connecting the PC to a different power source. Same problem.

This problem started yesterday. Previously everything had been working fine. The only thing I can think of that's changed is that I updated Adobe Flash.

The PC had been previously hardwired via LAN cable.

The wired internet on the PC still works fine, but when the PC powered on, none of my other devices are able to connect to the wireless network.

After some testing I've concluded that the instant my PC powers on my other devise are unable to connect.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be causing this?

Thanks

[ziconceo]

Uhhhhh wtf think you have a ghost man, that's the weirdest problem I've ever heard of and my computer has read me German text and spoke in tongues...... Anyways....

Try this if possible. Plug the computer in using an inverter with a battery or in your car.

Here's what I think may be going on. New virus that corrupts the 60hz in your wall via feed back loop from the computers power supply causing the router to not work.
Or....
Your computer has a built in WiFi card or Bluetooth card you didn't see?
Or...

Obama did it.


I would reset the routers settings and see what happens. There should 've a little reset button on the back just unplug the router and hold the button for 30 seconds.

If that doesn't work, turn on your computer and go to device manager and disable all network related devices to see what happens.

[bluedsteel]

That is weird. Try unplugging the router and connecting the PC straight to the modem.

[SkyHawk]

Could be some nasty RF emission from your PC. Be sure your case is properly closed and no grounding connectors between the metal case components have come loose.

Also is this a desktop PC or laptop PC? If desktop, remove the wifi card from it if you can and test again. If it is a laptop, there is usually a function key combo that will turn off the wifi adapter. Try that and see what happens. These are not solutions, these are just troubleshooting steps to help qualify the problem.

[Wallabing]

Go into the router and change the channel 1-11 (something other than your current channel). Something could be causing lots of interference, like from your neighbors.

[inky0ct0pus]

Could be some nasty RF emission from your PC. Be sure your case is properly closed and no grounding connectors between the metal case components have come loose.

It is a desktop PC. I think you may have found the culprit! I had taken the case apart and cleaned the inside a couple days ago. It didn't seem like I put it back together incorrectly, but I just took it apart again and re assembled it and everything seems to be working for the time being.

Thank you all very much for your help!

[inky0ct0pus]

Go into the router and change the channel 1-11 (something other than your current channel). Something could be causing lots of interference, like from your neighbors.

I think the problem has been solved, but out of curiosity, if I change the wireless channel will my speed decrease or any settings change that would mess with connecting with my wireless devices? It's on channel 11 right now.

Thank you.

[Peter.Steele]

I think the problem has been solved, but out of curiosity, if I change the wireless channel will my speed decrease or any settings change that would mess with connecting with my wireless devices? It's on channel 11 right now.

Thank you.

Not necessarily.


If you switch to a channel that's more crowded, then yeah - more interference means probably lower throughput.

The normal reason to change channels though is that hte default is too crowded, and you're changing to get away from destructive interference.

[ziconceo]

What wasn't put back in right? I wanna know how you caused that to happen haha

[SkyHawk]

It is a desktop PC. I think you may have found the culprit! I had taken the case apart and cleaned the inside a couple days ago. It didn't seem like I put it back together incorrectly, but I just took it apart again and re assembled it and everything seems to be working for the time being.

Thank you all very much for your help!

Well I'm glad it worked out. PC cases are engineered, tested and certified to prevent RF emissions that will cause interference. If they are not assembled correctly, they cannot do the job. You will either get a leak or your case can even become an antenna that amplifies the emission if the panels are not electrically bonded together. That is what those spring loaded chrome or copper fingers along the edge of the case panels are there for.

The big clue was that everything went south when you turned on your PC. Basically your PC had become a WiFi jammer.

As for changing your channel, you should only do it after you complete a wifi survey of your area. Get a survey tool installed on a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop if it has a wifi card. A portable device works better so you can move around your house. Then you can figure out what channels are in use in your immediate area, and figure out which channel is best for you.

Here are some free Mac and Windows tools: http://www.networkworld.com/article/...s-and-mac.html

Don't neglect to consider channel spacing. Here is an article that can help. http://www.extremetech.com/computing...-right-channel

[inky0ct0pus]

What wasn't put back in right? I wanna know how you caused that to happen haha

I'm not sure. Everything seems like it was put back together correctly but when I took it apart again and reassembled the case the problem went away.

My case has a removable side that comes off when you take off two screws on the back. Maybe I didn't screw them in correctly, or seat the cover right.

[inky0ct0pus]

Well I'm glad it worked out. PC cases are engineered, tested and certified to prevent RF emissions that will cause interference. If they are not assembled correctly, they cannot do the job. You will either get a leak or your case can even become an antenna that amplifies the emission if the panels are not electrically bonded together. That is what those spring loaded chrome or copper fingers along the edge of the case panels are there for.

The big clue was that everything went south when you turned on your PC. Basically your PC had become a WiFi jammer.

As for changing your channel, you should only do it after you complete a wifi survey of your area. Get a survey tool installed on a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop if it has a wifi card. A portable device works better so you can move around your house. Then you can figure out what channels are in use in your immediate area, and figure out which channel is best for you.

Here are some free Mac and Windows tools: http://www.networkworld.com/article/...s-and-mac.html

Don't neglect to consider channel spacing. Here is an article that can help. http://www.extremetech.com/computing...-right-channel

Thanks I'll check out those links!

[cfm117]

Use channel 1, 6, or 11. They are the only three that dont overlap assuming your using the standard 802.11 g/n with each channel being 20mhz wide.

[stilly]

FYI, I setup a Cisco WIFI router at a local business and on one channel, they were by themselves but the reception was totally ****E.

Then I popped them onto another channel and watched their reception shoot up about 3x what it was. There was another device or network in the area also on that channel, but it solved the issue. Sometimes weird things happen...

[e90bmw]

Unplug the wire on the PC.
I suspect a packet flood on your network.
Possible some duplicate IP addressing.

If the PC is unplugged and it still happens, then you have a really bad interference issue which I doubt.