Having trouble with your network? You’re not alone! Many often encounter the “can’t find local area network” issue while connecting their devices to the internet or home network. This problem can be frustrating, but the good news is that you can follow a few simple steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. In this article, we’ll review why you might face this problem and provide some easy solutions to help you get back online.

What Does It Mean When You “Cant Find Local Area Network”?

Before diving into solutions, let’s first understand what “local area network” (LAN) means. A local area network is a group of devices connected to a specific area, such as your home, office, or building. These devices include computers, smartphones, printers, and smart home devices like thermostats or security cameras. The LAN allows all these devices to share resources like files, printers, and internet access.

When you see the message “can’t find local area network,” your device cannot detect or connect to the network it should be linked to. This could happen for several reasons, ranging from a problem with your Wi-Fi router to issues with your device’s settings. But don’t worry! We’re here to guide you through the steps to solve the problem.

Common Causes of “Cant Find Local Area Network”

There are several potential causes for this issue. Identifying the problem is the first step toward fixing it. Here are some common reasons why you might be facing this issue:

1. Wi-Fi Router Issues
2. Sometimes, your Wi-Fi router might not be working correctly, which can cause devices to be unable to detect the network. This could be due to a simple glitch or the Router needing a firmware update.
3. Network Configuration Problems
4. Incorrect network settings on your device or Router can prevent your device from connecting to the local area network. These settings can sometimes get changed automatically or after an update.
5. Driver or Software Problems
6. Outdated or corrupted network drivers on your device might prevent it from recognizing the network. Similarly, software conflicts can also interfere with your connection.
7. Interference or Distance
8. If you’re too far away from your Router or there’s interference (like walls or other electronic devices), your device may not be able to detect the local area network.
9. Device Issues
10. Your device might have internal problems, such as a malfunctioning Wi-Fi adapter, which makes it unable to detect any local networks.

Now that we know what might be causing the issue, let’s review some troubleshooting steps.

Solutions to Fix “Cant Find Local Area Network”

Here are some easy-to-follow solutions you can try if you’re struggling with “can’t find local area network”:

1. Restart Your Router and Device

A simple restart can often fix many problems. If you’re having trouble finding the local area network, restart your Router and device.

• Restart the Router: Unplug it from the power source for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Could you wait for it to boot up fully?
• Restart the device: Whether you’re using a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, restart your device to refresh its connection settings.

This can solve temporary issues and restore your device’s ability to find the local area network.

2. Check Wi-Fi Settings on Your Device

Ensure that the Wi-Fi feature on your device is turned on and properly configured to detect nearby networks. You can usually find the Wi-Fi settings in the “Network & Internet” section on most devices.

• Forget and reconnect: If your device previously connected to the local area network but now can’t find it, try forgetting the network and reconnecting. This can refresh the connection.
• Check for network availability: Sometimes, the network might be hidden. Go to your device’s Wi-Fi settings and manually enter the network’s name (SSID) and password.

3. Update or Reinstall Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupted network drivers can cause connection issues. Updating your drivers is easy to fix the “can’t find local area network” problem.

• Update drivers: On a computer, go to the “Device Manager,” locate the network adapter, and check for updates.
• Reinstall drivers: If updating doesn’t work, try uninstalling the driver and then reinstalling it.

This will ensure your device’s network adapter functions correctly and can connect to the LAN.

4. Check for Router Issues

If the problem isn’t on your device, the issue might lie with your Router. Here’s what you can do:

• Check if the Router is broadcasting: Make sure that your Router is broadcasting its network signal. Sometimes, it may accidentally get turned off. You can log into your Router’s settings page through a web browser to check this.
• Check for firmware updates: Router manufacturers often release updates to fix bugs. Ensure your Router’s firmware is up to date to prevent connectivity issues.
• Reset the Router: If restarting doesn’t work, you might need to reset it to factory settings. Doing this will erase all your custom settings, so you must set up the Router again.