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

I was having this issue with:

Realtek rtl8723au 

y 

Edimax EW-7811Un (Popular for raspberry Pi units)

My fix on the 5G gateway was to change the following in 2.4 GHz settings

Transmission Mode from “Auto (ax/g)” to “n/g”

worked for both devices. For really old network cards (Hands up if you still use windows xp!), you could change this to "b/g" or even "b", but if it does not support WPA, you would (NOT RECOMMENDED) be required to disable encryption all together...I would recommend an ethernet cable at that point.

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.

Same issue here and this is what I also did. Great advice here!

TedH wrote:

I have updated the drivers, changed the Channel, enabled and disabled the wifi device. Nothing works. This is a Dell Inspiron 7548.I am very frustrated by this.

Have you tried one of the other methods mentioned earlier?

1. Activating and renaming the SSID of one of the 2.4GHz channels so that it is not shared (basically allowing non-WiFi6 access)
2. Lowering the transmission mode to an older standard (example, ax/g to n/g)
3. Lowering the encryption (WPA) to an older standard (example, WPA3 to WPA2)

Dell Inspiron something something, about 4 year old laptop.

I had to use windows updater (optional updates) to update drivers. I had intel wifi and a realtek driver that I updated so idk which actually fixed the issue.

I tried installing intel wifi drivers from website and it was 'up-to-date'. Even with the instel system diagnostic software.

Never figured out how to change channels and stuff. My only options are to use combined or 2.4 and 5 separated. Couldn't find any advanced settings to do more than that.

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. 

From other recommendations in this thread, I split the T-Mobile Gateway 2.4GHz and 5GHz signals via 192.168.12.1/home and it DIDN'T work. I also upgraded my network adapter's driver, it's BIOS, and Windows 10 before trying the RE330 and none of that worked either. 

However using JaimieCF’s suggestion, I purchased a TP-Link RE330 Wi-Fi Extender from Amazon for about $35 AND MY LAPTOP CAN SEE MY SSID AGAIN!

Details (May 20, 2022):

Laptop: Dell Latitude E7240

OS: Windows 10 (Pro, version 21H2)

Network adapter: Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260, driver 21.10.1.1 (even though Device Manager says it’s v.18.33.11.2… reinstalling the new driver confirms it’s 21.10.1.1 *shrugs*)

Wi-Fi: T-Mobile Gateway, Firmware 1.00.16

Range Extender: TP-Link Mesh Wi-Fi Extender RE330

tl;dr -- buy the RE330.

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

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!!

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

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 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.