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TonyMemphis's avatar
TonyMemphis
Tutor
Oct 20, 2025
Solved

Win11 "Can't connect to this network" error

I just switched over to fiber from ATT DSL  (used their Pace modem/router).    I bought a  Nighthawk BE9300 to sue with our new service.    I have connected three very new HP laptops, phones, tv's et...
rs300
  • TonyMemphis's avatar
    TonyMemphis
    Oct 27, 2025

    I finally got it working!  I don't know much about network stuff, so I can't explain this very well.  But what I ended up having to do is using netsh in a command window to assign "permission" to my SSID.  That did it!  I have no idea why I had to do that though.  I'm just lucky that I remembered that issue from last time I had an issue.  

     

    I even took the internal card out thinkin it might be causing an issue!  

     

    Anyway, I  bought a USB Wi-Fi stick (BrosTrend 6500).  It is working well.  I am getting speeds of around 61Mbps in my shop in the backyard.   That's a whole lot better than my old setup.

     

    Thanks again.

TonyMemphis's avatar
TonyMemphis
Tutor
Oct 20, 2025

Yes, that is the correct printer.  Thanks very much for looking into it.  I agree, plug it in!  Fortunately, the printer is close to the router, so it was easy to route a cable to it.  I tried printing on one laptop and it worked, so I assume they all do.

 

Now for the laptop.  I tried everything - even guest networks with older security settings and nothing worked.  So, I ordered a USB Wi-Fi stick.  The model I ordered is a tri band and supports Wifi7, etc. etc.  It will arrive Thursday.  The updated replacement card for my laptop seemed "iffy" in that I couldn't determine if it was compatible or not for sure ($26).  And, the replacement card was no as "up to date" as the USB stick ($47).  So, we'll see how that goes.   USB stick option is nice in that I don't have to tear open the laptop.  

 

Of course there is always the hammer option, but that costs several hundred!  Ha!

 

Thanks again everyone.  I'll post what I find out.

 

TonyMemphis's avatar
TonyMemphis
Tutor
Oct 27, 2025

I finally got it working!  I don't know much about network stuff, so I can't explain this very well.  But what I ended up having to do is using netsh in a command window to assign "permission" to my SSID.  That did it!  I have no idea why I had to do that though.  I'm just lucky that I remembered that issue from last time I had an issue.  

 

I even took the internal card out thinkin it might be causing an issue!  

 

Anyway, I  bought a USB Wi-Fi stick (BrosTrend 6500).  It is working well.  I am getting speeds of around 61Mbps in my shop in the backyard.   That's a whole lot better than my old setup.

 

Thanks again.

  • StephenB's avatar
    StephenB
    Guru - Experienced User
    Oct 27, 2025
    TonyMemphis wrote:

    But what I ended up having to do is using netsh in a command window to assign "permission" to my SSID. 

    Has the PC classified your network connection as "public"?  Or is it "private"?

     

    I am guessing "public" - in which  case you should consider changing that to "private".  That assumes that only family is connecting to the SSID.

    While Microsoft does suggest "public" everywhere, it does make sharing devices more complicated.

     

    You should definitely stick with "public" when you aren't home,  But these settings are specific to each wifi connection, so even if you change this SSID to "private",  when you are out Windows will default to "public"

    • TonyMemphis's avatar
      TonyMemphis
      Tutor
      Oct 28, 2025

      I'm not sure.  I'll take a look at that.  

      I used the command line netsh to add a filter that allowed my  SSID.  I don't understand why I had to do that.   I wonder if at some point (a year or ore back), I applied a filter to denyall in an attempt to not display all of the networks  around here (tons of my neighbors' show on my list).    I couldn't find a command to allow all to cancel that.  Still looking.  Doesn't matter now...until I forget this again!  

       

      I don't connect this laptop to Wi-Fi automatically. It is primarily used to control a CNC router, so I turn Wi-Fi on and off as needed.  I created a desktop icon that turns on the Wi-Fi and one that turns it off.  Before that, I had this long list of available networks I had to get through to find mine.   So, I was trying to only show my SSID and I probably messed things up becuase I didn't know what I was doing.  

      • StephenB's avatar
        StephenB
        Guru - Experienced User
        Oct 28, 2025
        TonyMemphis wrote:

        I used the command line netsh to add a filter that allowed my  SSID.  I don't understand why I had to do that. 

        If the laptop allowed you to connect to the SSID before doing that, then I don't really understand it either.

         

         

        TonyMemphis wrote:

        I couldn't find a command to allow all to cancel that.

         

        You can see all the filters you have applied with

        netsh wlan show filters

         

        There is a tutorial that gives some details on deleting filters here:

        • https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3562-add-remove-wireless-network-filter-windows-10-a.html