Laptop won't connect to wireless network unless it's right next to router.

My laptop won't connect to my wireless network unless I put the laptop right next to the router. Once I get more than about 10' away from the router, I lose the connection. When I'm right next to the router, the signal strength is excellent.

I have a Samsung RC512 laptop which is about 8 months old. It's running Windows 7. I also have a Belkin N wireless router. The laptop has connected perfectly to the Belkin wireless router for 8 months now, then all of a sudden, today it won't connect unless I put it right next to the router. Nothing (hardware or software) has changed and I don't believe there were any updates done to anything. I'm fairly certain it's the Samsung laptop and not the router because my other laptop (a Dell) connects just fine from all over the house. I also was able to connect to the wireless network on my Droid. The signal coming from the router seems to be strong, but I'm no expert.

Has anyone encountered this before? Any suggestions or tips? Any help would greatly appreciated as this is very frustrating. Thanks.

 

Hi, Just had a look on Google and some guy had a similar problem. He updated his drivers and fixed the problem. Cheers Neil.

 

Disconnected/broken antenna wire(s)?

 

If the drivers update don't fix your problems, its most probably a hardware issue. Contact Samsung service centre for further assistance.

 

I did a driver update and that did not help. Any other suggestions? I dread calling Samsung service because I'm sure they'll try a few things and when nothing works they'll say "Hmm, well we don't know what's wrong. Why don't you send the laptop in to us." I'm really hoping it doesn't come to that.

 

Lets eliminate the PC or the router here. Go to Starbucks, McDonald's, or some other place that has WIFI with your laptop and see if it connects. If it does, then you have a router problem. If not, send the laptop back as you have a FREE year warranty with it and let them fix it.