Often laptop users are faced with such a problem when the laptop does not see the modem. Why is this happening? There are several reasons, both the simplest and most banal, as well as the more serious ones, which are already connected with the hardware. Today, we’ll just consider the most common problems, because of which the portable PC does not find a modem, and also tell you how to deal with them.
Driver crash
One of the most common reasons why a laptop does not see a modem is a problem with the drivers. In short, the laptop’s Internet module simply “loses” its drivers and starts to work incorrectly. This usually happens for several reasons:
- Forced shutdown of the laptop.
- System update failed.
- Damage or removal of a driver by a third-party program.
How to determine what problems are with the drivers? Everything is quite simple. First you need to check the system tray (the icons in the lower right corner, next to the clock). If the driver is damaged, then with a high degree of probability the network access icon will either be crossed out or be completely absent.
Another option how to check the drivers is to go to the device manager and see the “Network Adapters” tab. If a device with an exclamation mark is displayed there, then it means that the drivers do not work correctly or are completely absent.
In this case, you can fix the problem only by reinstalling the drivers. Usually they are on the disk that comes with the laptop or in a separate special folder on the system disk.
Auto Detect Issues
The second reason why the laptop does not see the modem is the problem with automatic detection. Surely many noticed that sometimes a laptop takes a long time to automatically detect the modem and connect to it. In fact, this procedure is quite standard and indeed can sometimes take even a few minutes, but due to some malfunctions in the operation of the Internet module or in its settings, detection can continue forever and even restarting the laptop will not help in this case.
However, you should not be upset in advance, because in fact the problem is uncritical and is "treated" quite simply. You need to go to the device manager and go to the "Network Adapters" tab. Next, right-click on the network adapter and select “Properties”. The last thing to do is select the “Driver” tab, click on the “Remove device” button, restart the laptop and install the drivers for the network adapter in a new way.
Modem Check
Very often, the reason why the laptop does not see the modem is the failure of the latter. Typically, a failure occurs due to a not-so-good modem firmware, as a result of which, it may hang periodically. There are usually no external signs that the modem is hanging, but in fact it may not appear in the list of available networks for connection.
How can I fix this problem? There are 2 options. The first is to simply restart the modem by removing the power cable for 10-20 seconds. The second method is more complex and suitable for more experienced users. It implies updating the modem firmware to a newer and more stable one, if, of course, there is one. Information on how to update the firmware is best read on the official website of the modem manufacturer. There, as a rule, there are detailed instructions with pictures.
Reset
Another reason why the laptop does not see the modem is to reset the settings. In fact, this problem is far from uncommon; many users are faced with it. Resetting occurs mainly due to power surges, which lead to emergency modem reboots. Also, the Internet connection settings can be reset due to sudden disconnections of the modem from the power supply. But all connection settings are not always completely reset, as a rule, often the reset affects only the Wi-Fi connection parameters, which is why the laptop does not see the modem.
What if this happened? Well, there’s only one way out - go to the modem’s settings and create a Wi-Fi access point on a new one if the problem touched it specifically. If everything is in order with the access point, you will have to reconfigure the Internet connection itself in accordance with the parameters that the provider provided.
USB troubles
Many users of the so-called portable USB routers also face the problem that their laptop does not see the Internet modem among the connected devices. As you know, all USB devices work on Plug & Play technology and do not require the installation of additional drivers. But also this technology often makes mistakes, because of which the connected devices are not detected in the system.
How can I fix such a problem? First of all, you need to make sure that the USB port into which the modem is connected is fully functional, because it may simply be malfunctioning. If everything is ok with the connector, then the next step is to verify the correct installation of the device driver.
All devices like Plug & Play have their own driver, which is not always installed correctly in the system the first time it is connected. In order to check the driver, you need to go to the device manager and check the 2 tabs “Modems” and “Ports”. If in any of them there is a device with an exclamation mark or a cross, then you need to do the following:
- Remove the software that comes with the USB modem from the system from the system.
- Reinstall laptop drivers that are responsible for USB ports and other connectors. As a rule, these are drivers for the chipset.
- After steps 1 and 2 are completed, you need to reinstall the software from the modem in accordance with all the instructions.
It still did not help, you need to make sure that the modem is connected to the correct type of USB port. All devices of this type work only with USB connectors of type 2.0, and if the connection is made to port 3.0, then the laptop simply will not be able to recognize it.
If, in this case, the modem is not detected, then its performance should be checked on another laptop, since it can be simply defective and inoperative.
Module malfunction
Well, the last reason why the laptop stops seeing the modem or does not see it at all is a banal breakdown of the module in the laptop itself. If none of the above methods fix the problem, then with a probability of 99%, the adapter failed. How can I check this? All through the same device manager. A faulty Internet module will be marked with a triangle or disappear altogether. When you try to reinstall the driver on the device, an error will appear, and if you try to go into the module settings, the system will give an error.
All that can be done in this case is to take the laptop for repair.