Windows laptop can't find T-Mobile Home Internet network... but all other devices can

Vypur wrote:

I hope this helps someone experiencing my scenario where Laptop WIFI Adapter Driver is old...

After installing the T-Mobile Gateway Gray Kit I was unable to see the SSID name in the list of available networks on my 2017 HP Laptop running Windows 10, but everything else in the house connected, since I renamed Gateway to the previous router SSID name. I searched the type of wireless adapter I have in laptop, Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265, and visited Intel site to update Wireless adapter Driver to the latest for my device, 19.51.33.1. After the update I am able to see the Gateway SSID and laptop connects.

To find WIFI adapter name: Right click internet icon in Task Bar > Open Network & Internet Settings > select 'WIFI' > 'Harware Properties'. Look for Manufacturer Name an Model. Go to manufacturer site and search for driver download; mine was an executable file, which installed and updated after a few prompts.

One may access the T-Mobile Gateway Settings by connecting Laptop directly to Gateway via LAN cable into back of Gateway and enter 192.168.12.1 into browser. One may view and modify the 2.4GHz and 5GHz WIFI Networks Settings. Username: admin > Password: (Is what you determined during installation, or the default listed on bottom of Gateway.) I'm using my laptop on the 2.4GHz network, so I changed the Gateway Channel from default 1 to 11, this didn't affect the other devices already connected. None of these changes had any affect on laptop SSID discovery until after I updated the Driver.

Vypur!!! You da man. Been trying to figure this out for 2 days. I have the same wireless adapter as you in my somewhat older Alienware computer. T-mobile wifi would not show up in the network list. Did show up for every other device in the house including Roku's. I tried updating the driver by searching the internet for latest driver. Was informed that I had the latest driver. That is where the problem lies. I actually did not have the latest driver. Why it failed to determine that I don't know. Anyway, I followed your advice and went to Intel site and found the actual latest driver and downloaded and installed. Then I immediately checked the wifi network list and viola!!! There was my elusive T-mobile wifi network ready to connect. All good now, so thank you sir for your help. THIS SHOULD BE YOUR FIX, EVERYONE. Don't trust Windows to search internet and find latest driver. Go to site yourself and find it if you are having issues.

DaveI wrote:

Just confirming that my problem is fixed by doing what has been said here in this post:

My Lenovo YOGA/Flex 15 laptop (pretty old, from about 2014-5 or so) running Windows 10 needed a driver update for its Intel wireless chip.  I have an Intel N-2760 wireless chip.  Previously I had a driver from 2015.  The latest I could find was a 2019 driver.  Installing the new one fixed the issue of:

1. not seeing the SSID of the T-Mobile Gateway

2. not being able to connect to the T-Mobile Gateway and get internet service
   
   thank you

Where and how do you install it?

fireguy_6364 wrote:

you can take that same laptop and connect it to any other wifi source just fine though?

I can for sure, but not T-Mobile, which is my own network.

Cristina wrote:

Do you have both 2.4 and 5ghz broadcasting? I think some older laptops can't see both 

Is this done via the computer device? 

The addition of a range extender makes sense to me if the client, say a printer or game device will not allow you add a USB network adapter. I had the same issues with two older clients that could not connect to the T-Mobile gateway. I bought the newer compatible USB WiFi adapters for the clients. Installing an older slower device in between as a shim is ok but not the best approach. I have never had a good experience with range extenders but they are useful in some cases. If you are going to use a range extender don't buy a cheap one or you may be disappointed. My suggestion is to update/replace the adapter on the client with a newer USB wireless adapter and disable the old wireless adapter that cannot communicate with the newer bands. 
If you run Linux as an operating system there are some very solid USB adapters with driver support. Why run an old 802.11b adapter when you can run a newer, faster frequency? If the need for distance and signal penetration is there sure but with band steering on 802.11ax the transmission should be able to adapt to communicate. Update the client instead of putting a work around in between when possible. Just my 2 cents. 

JaimieCF wrote:

PROBLEM SOLVED.  I was having the same issue with an older Asus laptop. When I had the 4G LTE router/modem from T-Mobile the network would show up on my laptop but once I got the 5G one the network wouldn't show up on my laptop but it would show up on all other devices. The work around I found was purchasing the TP-Link RE300 range extender. You connect the range extender to the 5G router/modem then connect the problem device to the range extender. In my case it was my laptop which is now connected to the range extender and working fine. This range extender is 2.4ghz and 5g compatible. Not sure if other range extenders would work as this is the only one I own and have tried. Also, I just ran a speed test and there's no noticeable difference in speed due to being connected to the range extender instead of the T-Mobile router/modem directly.

 

The range extender I bought was only like $30 or $40 dollars and was very easy to set up. 

YOU, SIR, ARE A GENIUS.

I actually had this in my stock of random "one day I might need to use" items & the instant I read your words *TP-Link RE300 range extender* I immediately knew I needed to go find it quick like. 

Somehow it translates the signal from one standard to the other.  My desktop computer's old USB wireless adapter was bought back in 2019 so it wasn't that old.  Happens to be TP-Link branded, too. 

I was scratching my head on this one here until I started looking to the Internet to see if I was alone & sure enough, you fine people also had the same headaches 

Thank you to JaimieCF for your wonderful solution to our problems.

I'm so glad I kept this device because it turned out to be a lifesaver right now.  I have the TP-Link RE105 model & I think I paid 40 at Best Buy.  

This solution works wonders. 

The best thing to do if you can. Return to modem and go back to who you hade before making the switch to tmoblie. I'm stuck in limbo. Tech support doesn't know how to connect my laptop to the modem I keep getting rerouted to different tech supports. This was to good to to be true. Internet works but laptop unable to see tmobile modem. I keep talking to people that is unable to speak english

I solved this problem by changing the Transmission Mode to “n/g”.

¿Cómo?

Open the admin panel by typing the "Admin IP" into the address bar of your web browser. The "Admin IP" can be found on the sticker on the bottom of the tower.

On the left, click “Networks” then “Wi-Fi Networks” then 2.4GHz.

"Transmission Mode" will be the first setting on the right. It's probably set to "Auto (ax/g)". Change that to "n/g" or any value which your network card supports.

Then scroll down to the bottom and click "Save Changes." This should be applied almost immediately and the Wi-Fi network should begin showing up.

¿Por qué?

The transmission mode "ax" is a newer standard. "g" is well supported by since the mode says "Auto" it was probably choosing "ax" instead of "g". Both "n" and "g" are well supported so choosing "n/g" is a good bet for fixing your problem but you may need to try some other option if you have really old hardware.

We choose to change the 2.4GHz network instead of the 5GHz network because 5GHz is new and if your hardware doesn’t support the newer transmission modes it probably also doesn’t support 5GHz.

Not a computer geek, electronic hobbyist 60+ years, electronic service rep for a year--all this to give background.  I believe Anthony C's post above was absolutely correct.  Set up Gateway, connected 2 smart TVs, year old Lenovo laptop (Win 11), 20 yr old Toshiba laptop (Win 7), old HP desktop (Win 7), two smartphones to Gateway with no trouble--WiFi listed on all 7 devices.  All devices have been on our Century Link WiFi router.  Could not get 9 yr old Lenovo 11S to find Gateway.  Traveled with this laptop for business/pleasure, never problem connecting before.  Spent between 2-3 hours with TM tech assist, yesterday, no luck.  Came across post about transmission channels, logged into CL router, was transmitting on Channel 6 (not set on Auto).  Changed TM Gateway to channel 6 (from auto), laptop display would not list Gateway (I had deleted the CL router already).  I then did what Anthony C recommended, changing the Transmission mode from (Auto) AX/G to N/G and immediately the Gateway appeared.  I can't explain how a 20 year old laptop and a desktop, both running Win 7 can identify the Gateway Auto (AX/G) and this Lenovo couldn't, other than a Network Adapter quirk.  I probably spent 4 hours or more of my own time updating the adapter driver, searching the web, another few hours with Tech Support.  My suggestion:  Do as Anthony C suggested--log in as administrator and try changing the transmission protocol.  TMobile Tech support needs to get with the program.  Thank you, Anthony!!

justrick1701 wrote:

Cristina wrote:

Do you have both 2.4 and 5ghz broadcasting? I think some older laptops can't see both 

I do… interesting theory. Any thoughts as to a workaround? Pretty sure I don't want to disable either one...

I had the tmobile experts walk me thru creating 2 separate "channels" one is 2.4 and the other is 5G. Just learned though that some newer wifi devices ( Ring cameras for example) won't connect to a wifi that uses symbols in password like #$^ !  So be mindful as you set yours