Default Gateway Not Available

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My Lenovo laptop started dropping the internet connection more and more frequently until the troubleshooter could not longer repair it.  I would always get the message “Default gateway not available.”  All other computers and iPads do connect.  What on earth have I done?  Is it reparable?

Many thanks in advance if someone can help me.  I am about to go nuts without my PC!

cdittman

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Since the other devices connect OK, I’d start with your laptop.
Look in the Device Manager at your wireless adapter (assuming wireless connection). If there is a yellow caution symbol, try reinstalling the driver, or check with the laptop OEM for a driver update.

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Elly

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You did not mention if the issue is wifi or lan, I’ll guess wifi, the first remark is on target, check the devise-manager. Next, where is your laptop in relation to the router, was it moved, replaced, is it sitting on the floor. Can you reposition or move it closer to the laptop. Or move your laptop closer to the router and see if it connects better.

If the router and laptop are in the same room try connecting via ethernet cable connection to your router. This would also give you full potential throughput from your isp that you’er paying for. You may be supersized to find what your missing out on using wifi.

You mention, other wireless devices are working normal, check the frequency your laptop is connecting to; 2.4 or 5 GHz…a quick overview, 2.4 GHz gives better distance (wall penetration) but slower data flow, 5 GHz on the other hand will give you greater speed but at the cost of shorter distance from your router. Left click your connection icon (fan) in the taskbar and locate your ssid connections looking for 2.4 & 5 GHz connections. What your connected to will be at the top. If you are connected to your 5 GHz network look down the list for the 2.4 network with your ssid designation and log into that and see if that helps your connection issue.

There are many variables to wifi, it can be quite finicky. You may need to replace the WLAN adapter in your laptop, you may need a wifi extender or access point. What type router do you have…is it from your isp or your own? Generally your isp provides, for a monthly fee, a combination modem/router or gateway. Consider purchasing your own and save those monthly equipment fees…the list of online wifi topics and help is endless…here is a link from cnet.com you may find helpful;

https://tinyurl.com/hmyhfa5

 

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Interesting analysis.  I have three identical laptops (Dell Latitude E6540) in the same room – two are Win7 Pro, one Win10Pro.  Also an Acer c720P Chromebook.  After reading your comment, I noticed that all four are on FIOS 2.4GHz but the 5 G is also available (but not showing available on the Win10 – although it does say there is a hidden network (could it be my 5G that shows up on Win7 but shows as “hidden” on Win10?).

Does that mean that none of them are using the 5G unless I connect to it?  Also – the laptop that always goes out and after troubleshooting advises “Default Gateway Not Available” is streaming video.  Does that mean that 5G is not being used at all?

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5 GHz is not 5G.
5GHz is the fast bit on an 802.11n and above wifi system.

Check the specs of your laptops to see if they support 802.11n or 802.11ac. If so they can use the 5GHz band and should then be much faster over wifi.

Normally a device should automatically choose the best / fastest wifi connection and this should be 5GHz, assuming the signal is good.
You can use a free wifi scanner to show signal strength and channels available.

As you seem to have the 5GHz available as a separate connection, you may have different SSIDs / passwords for both 2.4 and 5GHz. Check your router for details.

Do a speed test by copying a large file (Windows 10 ISO) between machines using Robocopy (built-in) as this will show throughput.
Then connect to the 5GHz and re-run the test.

cheers, Paul

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