10+ year old laptop doesn't see 5gh wifi service

My Toshiba satellite laptop i bought in 2013 was connecting to WiFi 2.4gh no problems. The building switched to 5gh WiFi and now my laptop doesn't even find the building wifi signal. I think the network card is too old for 5gh, is there a work around so I don't have to get a whole new network card? Hopefully something I can just plug into the USB so I can connect?

Any 802.11ac or Wifi 5/Wifi 6 USB will do.

My relatively new computer had trouble with wifi.  I search Amazon for USB and wifi and ended up with this. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V4R3QHW?psc=1& and it works great.  Occasionally I have to reboot it by unplugging it and plugging it back in.

Thank you both for your suggestions I'm going to purchase one and wait for it to come and see if it works thank you so much

Hi, Welcome to BC.

 

I would think that you have hit the limit on the Toshiba.  ( I had a Toshiba and in 2015 it could barely run Win 7 and win10 forget it, I donated it )

 

Yes your Card has limits and would suggest not spending any money on it.

 

You Do not mention what OS you are running ??

 

If on Win10 suggest you switch to Linux for the Toshiba.   As for your relatively new computer you may have wasted you money, fyi : Windows 10 End of Life Oct 2025

Edited by Pkshadow, 23 May 2024 - 05:29 PM.

Hi, I would gather that the Toshiba is a Intel from the age so have you installed Intel Driver and Support Assistant ??  That should if possible find something such as on-board video and your network card unless the pulled all that and thus will turn up nothing.

 

As well google your Intel Chip and if lucky there will be a tab in the web page that says Download and will come up with the above as well.

Thank you PKshadow, but I have been running Windows 10 on this since 2014. This laptop was built custom for my photography business with a very fast amd gaming processor, 2 TB of storage, and has the entire Adobe creative suite 13 programs installed. Adobe doesn't support this format anymore, they've gone cloud based. But I live in a tiny island in the Caribbean and can't always rely on Internet service to be editing photos on the cloud. I don't know what model Toshiba you had before but it's nothing compared to mine, I'm sure. Other than the network card issue, which I don't have a computer guy to install a new one, everything still runs fast and reliable on this laptop, and buying a new one would mean I would need to move if I want to keep earning a living.. that could potentially cost me money when a 20 dollar dongle could solve my issue easily. I know you are trying to help, but your reply didn't have anything to do with my question, instead you lecture me about what you would do in my place, but knew nothing about my position or my laptop. I'm not a computer wizard, but I'm not stupid and I resent you assuming that, and talking down to me like I was 6. Good night sir, have a great weekend

I would close out this question, problem, discussion or whatever you call it but I'm not sure how. I knew I needed a dongle but didn't have the specs for the right one, now I have them problem solved. Thank you for the help

Hi, (just back) I was thinking that a USB Dongle would solve the issue.  Glad got the proper needed information to have a successful ending.

 

Yes I liked having Adobe Programs rather than the cloud stuff as well.     Happy editing

Go buy a new usb dongle it can be used on a newer machine as well or linux.