No WiFi Connectivity? Check The Power Settings

So you just got yourself a new laptop computer, and of course a WiFi router. And you followed all of the instructions, and you run the WiFi client setup where it lists networks for you to connect to, and you see this:

No wireless networks are within range

• The laptop has a power switch.
• The router should (but probably does not) have a switch. But check the power lead. Of course, since you just ran the router setup (connected by Ethernet cable), the router must be ON.
  OK, move on.


• If the laptop has built-in WiFi, it has a power switch for the radio. The radio is the part of the WiFi device that uses the most power, so every laptop lets you turn the radio OFF. Most laptops ship with the radio turned off, so you will not use it without knowing that it is ON. Read The Manual.


• Check the router setup, and make sure that the radio there is on. Most WiFi routers ship with the radio turned OFF, so you don't set one up, with the radio on, without knowing that it is ON. This keeps you from inadvertently providing free Internet service to your neighbours. Again, Read The Manual.