Limited Connectivity

I have 2 identical Lenovo G500s laptops that are 8 months old. I operate on a Cox Cable Modem and Wifi with my Linksys Wireless Router. I am using Windows 8.1.

About 1 week ago, both laptops were unable to connect due to limited connectivity. I used my phone and tried a variety of suggestions including deleting AVG free virus protection, unchecking the box for allowing the network connector to put the computer to sleep and a few other things. I am now able to connect to the wifi with one laptop but not the other. Settings are identical, so I don't understand why one can connect and one can't.

2 nights ago, both laptops again were unable to connect. I rebooted the cable modem and the wireless router, and one is now connected but I still can't get the other one to connect.

I have been using these computers in the same way with the same software since purchasing new 8 months ago.

Any ideas?

 

The router may be giving them both the same IP address. Try this on both of the 2 laptops;

run command prompt as admin
you can press the windows key + R, then type cmd admin and press enter

in command prompt, type;
ipconfig /release
and press Enter

then type
ipconfig /renew
and press Enter

 

As this happened simultaneously to both laptops it is clearly a router issue rather than anything in either laptop. Maybe the router has for some reason reduced its signal power, or possibly there is interference from some other device within the router's wireless range. Wireless intruder alarms would be an example, as would another router close by. For starters try rebooting the router and see if that helps.

If you click on the wireless icon in the notification area all available wifi networks will pop up, together with a signal strength indicator. How do they look? If the signal looks weak take the machines close to the router and check again. If everything is OK closer to the router you may need some additional equipment to improve the signal range. We can advise on that. Also, if you have an alternative router, or could borrow one, that would be a useful test too. I doubt that this is a case of IP conflict as a warning pops up when this happens.

 

Just to clarify, when you say unable to connect do you mean you cant establish a connection to your wireless network or are you able to connect to the wireless network but not the internet?