It wasn’t until I faced connectivity issues on my own Chromebook last spring that I realized the importance of one of its features. Regardless of the manufacturer you buy your Chromebook from, it uses the same Chrome operating system. Thus, anyone using this OS could’ve helped me resolve my problem!
The device’s firmware and software-related bugs are the primary reasons for wifi connectivity issues on a Chromebook. Such problems aren’t uncommon and can be fixed relatively easily. Other causes include strict network settings, outdated device OS, and a disabled router.
In the rest of this article, I’ll cover some simple fixes for these aforementioned issues.
Possible troubleshooting options
To fix the problem, you’ll need to know why it’s happening. Let’s have a look at some of the common problems associated with Chromebooks and WiFi connectivity.
Common problems
Before going deeper into your potential options, check if the wifi switch is turned on. It might sound too good to be true, but something as simple as this can often lead to connectivity issues.
On that front, if you haven’t already, try disconnecting and then reconnecting to your wifi network.
Most people do it themselves, which usually does the trick, so try to get closer to the router with your device and see if that helps your Chromebook with the issue. You can even try restarting the router and your Chromebook, just to be sure.
Troubleshooting guide
If none of the above work for you, try the following hacks:
- Disable your preferred network settings and run “Chrome Connectivity Diagnostics” if the problem doesn’t go away. Your Chromebook will run a quick scan on your behalf and find potential reasons for your connectivity issues. These can then be further addressed in the diagnostic menu.
- You can contact the network’s admin or access the admin settings to ensure your device is whitelisted. Go to “WLAN“, where you’ll find the “Security” panel. Here, you’ll be able to see a list of all blacklisted devices and remove your Chromebook if it made the cut.
- If the laptop has difficulty catching wifi signals due to an internal issue, try connecting it to a USB wifi adapter. Alternatively, use an Ethernet port to see if that helps you get back online. An ethernet port will establish a wired connection with the Chromebook. This can help you identify whether the issue lies within your wireless network adapter or the Chromebook itself.
Unconventional solutions
If you’ve located the issue and the Chromebook is still in warranty, try getting some professional help from the manufacturer. However, if it’s not, upgrading to an advanced Chromebook might be better than spending more on having the same device repaired.
If nothing else works for you, the last and least favourable step is to manually hard reset your Chromebook. Hard-resetting the device kills off any bugs the machine might have and resets it to its factory settings.
Video tutorial
Final thoughts
Although Chromebooks generally are pretty sturdy and well-protected devices, it’s common for you to encounter issues every now and then. Wifi connectivity happens to be one of the most simple of these and should be dealt with without any hassle.
However, if home remedies don’t work, you can always try contacting the manufacturer for further help or a replacement device!
