Problems installing the wireless adapter
Please visit Set up your wireless network for help with setting up your wireless adapter.
If you have followed the appropriate setup guide and are having problems installing the adapter, please work through the following steps:
Check that the wireless adapter is installed correctly
To check that the network card is installed correctly, take the following steps:
1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
Windows 98SE, Me and 2000 users: Click Start, then select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click the System icon.
Windows Vista users: Double-click Device Manager and then skip to step 5.
3. In the System Properties window, select the Hardware tab.
4. Click Device Manager.
5. Expand Network Adapters by clicking the plus sign next to it.
6. Check that the network card is installed. Also check that is not disabled and does not have any conflicts:
-- If you see a red cross next to the network card, this means that the adapter is disabled.
-- If you see a see a yellow exclamation mark this means the adapter has a conflict.
Follow the instructions below to check if your network card has problems in Windows 7:
1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Select Large icons in the View by drop-down list on the right-hand side.
3. Click Device Manager.
4. Click the arrow to the left of Network adapters.
5. Check that the network card is installed correctly and has no exclamation marks next to it.
1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
Windows 98SE, Me and 2000 users: Click Start, then select Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click the System icon.
Windows Vista users: Double-click Device Manager and then skip to step 5.
3. In the System Properties window, select the Hardware tab.
4. Click Device Manager.
5. Expand Network Adapters by clicking the plus sign next to it.
6. Check that the network card is installed. Also check that is not disabled and does not have any conflicts:
-- If you see a red cross next to the network card, this means that the adapter is disabled.
-- If you see a see a yellow exclamation mark this means the adapter has a conflict.
Follow the instructions below to check if your network card has problems in Windows 7:
1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Select Large icons in the View by drop-down list on the right-hand side.
3. Click Device Manager.
4. Click the arrow to the left of Network adapters.
5. Check that the network card is installed correctly and has no exclamation marks next to it.
Enable the wireless adapter in Device Manager
If your wireless adapter is disabled in the Device Manager, you will need to enable it in order to connect to the internet wirelessly. To do this, please work through the following steps:
To enable the wireless adapter using Device Manager with Windows 7, follow these instructions:
1. Click the Start globe and select Control Panel.
2. Select Large icons in the View by drop-down list on the right-hand side.
3. Click Device Manager.
4. Click the arrow to the left of Network adapters.
5. Right-click the wireless adapter and select Enable. It may have 'wireless' or 'WLAN' in its name.
To enable the wireless adapter using Device Manager with Windows XP/2000, follow these instructions:
Right-click on the adapter in the Device Manager and left-click on Enable.
To enable the wireless adapter using Device Manager with Windows ME/98, follow these instructions:
1. Highlight the adapter in the Device Manager.
2. Click on Properties.
3. Untick the box Disable in this hardware profile and click OK.
To enable the wireless adapter using Device Manager with Windows 7, follow these instructions:
1. Click the Start globe and select Control Panel.
2. Select Large icons in the View by drop-down list on the right-hand side.
3. Click Device Manager.
4. Click the arrow to the left of Network adapters.
5. Right-click the wireless adapter and select Enable. It may have 'wireless' or 'WLAN' in its name.
To enable the wireless adapter using Device Manager with Windows XP/2000, follow these instructions:
Right-click on the adapter in the Device Manager and left-click on Enable.
To enable the wireless adapter using Device Manager with Windows ME/98, follow these instructions:
1. Highlight the adapter in the Device Manager.
2. Click on Properties.
3. Untick the box Disable in this hardware profile and click OK.
Uninstall and reinstall the wireless adapter
If you see a see a yellow exclamation mark this means the adapter has a conflict. You will need to uninstall and reinstall the wireless adapter.
To uninstall the wireless adapter:
1. Click on Start, Settings and Control Panel.
Windows XP users: Go to Start and select Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel select Add/Remove Programs.
3. Select the wireless adapter.
4. Click on Change/Remove to begin the uninstall and follow the onscreen instructions.
To reinstall the wireless adapter, insert the CD and follow the onscreen instructions. Detailed instructions can be found when you sign on to AOL and visit AOL Keyword: Network Setup.
To uninstall the wireless adapter:
1. Click on Start, Settings and Control Panel.
Windows XP users: Go to Start and select Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel select Add/Remove Programs.
3. Select the wireless adapter.
4. Click on Change/Remove to begin the uninstall and follow the onscreen instructions.
To reinstall the wireless adapter, insert the CD and follow the onscreen instructions. Detailed instructions can be found when you sign on to AOL and visit AOL Keyword: Network Setup.
Check the network properties for the wireless adapter
To check the network properties for your wireless adapter using Windows 7, follow these steps:
1. Click the Start globe and then select Control Panel.
2. Select Large icons in the View by drop-down list on the right-hand side.
3. Click Network and Sharing Center.
4. In the left-hand panel, click Change adapter settings.
5. Right-click the wireless network connection and select Properties on the menu.
6. Select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and click Properties.
7. Select the options for Obtain an IPv6 address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.
8. Click the OK button.
9. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
10. Select the options for Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.
11. Click the OK button.
12. Click the Close button.
To check the network properties for your wireless adapter using Windows XP, follow these steps:
1. Click on Start, Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click on Network Connections.
3. Right-click on Wireless Network Connection and left-click on Properties.
4. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on Properties.
5. Ensure that Obtain an IP Address automatically is selected and click OK.
6. Click OK.
To check the network properties for your wireless adapter using Windows 2000, follow these steps:
1. Click on Start, Settings and Network and Dial-Up Connections.
2. Hold your mouse over each Local Area Connection to locate the wireless adapter Local Area Connection.
3. Right-click on this Local Area Connection and select Properties.
4. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on Properties.
5. Ensure that Obtain an IP Address automatically is selected and click OK.
6. Click OK.
To check the network properties for your wireless adapter using Windows 98/ME, follow these steps:
1. Click on Start, Settings and Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel double click on Network.
3. Select your wireless adapter and click Properties.
4. Ensure that Obtain an IP address automatically is selected and click OK.
5. Click OK.
1. Click the Start globe and then select Control Panel.
2. Select Large icons in the View by drop-down list on the right-hand side.
3. Click Network and Sharing Center.
4. In the left-hand panel, click Change adapter settings.
5. Right-click the wireless network connection and select Properties on the menu.
6. Select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and click Properties.
7. Select the options for Obtain an IPv6 address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.
8. Click the OK button.
9. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
10. Select the options for Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.
11. Click the OK button.
12. Click the Close button.
To check the network properties for your wireless adapter using Windows XP, follow these steps:
1. Click on Start, Settings and Control Panel.
2. Double-click on Network Connections.
3. Right-click on Wireless Network Connection and left-click on Properties.
4. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on Properties.
5. Ensure that Obtain an IP Address automatically is selected and click OK.
6. Click OK.
To check the network properties for your wireless adapter using Windows 2000, follow these steps:
1. Click on Start, Settings and Network and Dial-Up Connections.
2. Hold your mouse over each Local Area Connection to locate the wireless adapter Local Area Connection.
3. Right-click on this Local Area Connection and select Properties.
4. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on Properties.
5. Ensure that Obtain an IP Address automatically is selected and click OK.
6. Click OK.
To check the network properties for your wireless adapter using Windows 98/ME, follow these steps:
1. Click on Start, Settings and Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel double click on Network.
3. Select your wireless adapter and click Properties.
4. Ensure that Obtain an IP address automatically is selected and click OK.
5. Click OK.
Check your firewall software
An active firewall on your computer could restrict the AOL software from making a connection. If you have firewall software installed, please configure it to allow the AOL software to access the internet.
Select your firewall below for steps on how to modify the firewall security to allow the AOL software to work with the firewall software. We recommend that you contact the firewall software supplier if you require any further information.
Windows 7
To configure your Windows 7 firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Select Large icons in the View by drop-down list on the right-hand side.
3. Click Windows Firewall.
4. Click the Allow a program or feature through Windows firewall link on the left-hand panel.
5. Click Change settings.
6. Tick the following programs: AOL 9.0 VR, AOL System Information and AOL TopSpeed.
7. Click OK. Your Windows Firewall is now set to allow the AOL software.
Windows Firewall
To configure your Windows firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Select Classic View from the panel on the left.
3. Double-click Windows Firewall.
4. Select the Exceptions tab.
Windows Vista users: Select Allow a program through Windows Firewall.
5. Click the Add Program button.
6. Select AOL and click OK.
7. Click the Add Program button again.
8. Select AOL System Information and click OK.
9. Click OK again.
McAfee® Personal Firewall
To configure your McAfee® Personal Firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Right-click the McAfee Personal Firewall icon in the system tray (in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen).
2. Select Options and then click Internet Applications.
3. Select AOL and click Allow Full Access.
4. Repeat this for all AOL programs that are listed in Internet Applications.
McAfee® 2007
To configure your McAfee® 2007 firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Open the McAfee Security Suite.
2. Click Internet and Network.
3. Click Configure and then click Advanced.
4. Select Program Permissions.
5. Select an AOL application that is blocked and then click Grant Full Access.
6. Repeat this for all blocked AOL applications.
7. Click OK and close the McAfee Security Suite.
Norton 2003/2005
To configure your Norton 2003/2005 firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Open Norton Internet Security/Personal Firewall.
2. Click Personal Firewall.
3. Click Configure and then select the Programs tab.
4. Select AOL Program Files and set them to Permit All.
5. Click OK and close Norton Internet Security.
Note: We have had some reports that the AOL software will not work with Norton Firewall. If this is the case, leave the firewall disabled and contact Norton technical support about the issue.
Norton Firewall 2007
To configure your Norton 2007 firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Select Classic View from the panel on the left.
3. Double-click Windows Firewall.
4. Select the Exceptions tab.
Windows Vista users: Select Allow a program through Windows Firewall.
5. Click the Add Program button.
6. Select AOL and click OK.
7. Click the Add Program button again.
8. Select AOL System Information and click OK.
9. Click OK again.
Note: We have had some reports that the AOL software will not work with Norton Firewall. If this is the case, leave the firewall disabled and contact Norton technical support about the issue.
ZoneAlarm 2.6 or 3.0
To configure your ZoneAlarm 2.6 or 3.0 firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Right-click the ZoneAlarm icon in the system tray and select ZoneAlarm Control Centre.
Note: If the ZoneAlarm icon is not present, you can run the program from the Start menu.
2. Click the Security or Firewall button.
3. Using the slider bar, set the Internet Settings to Medium.
4. Click the Program button.
5. Right-click WAOL.EXE (AOL) and select Remove.
Repeat this for the following files:
-- aoltpspd.exe
-- AOLacsd.exe
-- AOLDial.exe
6. Restart the AOL software and when ZoneAlarm asks to grant it access, click Yes.
BlackICE
To configure your BlackICE firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Open BlackICE Advanced Application Protection Settings.
2. Click Tools and then click Find.
3. Type waol.exe and click Find Next.
4. Once the file is found, check that Application Control and Communications Control are blank.
5. Repeat this process for the following files:
-- aoltpspd.exe
-- AOLacsd.exe
-- AOLDial.exe
6. Close the window and try connecting to the internet again.
PC-cillin
To configure your PC-cillin firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Open PC-cillin and select the Advanced tab.
2. Select Internet Traffic Control from the menu on the left.
3. Ensure that the Halt Internet Traffic button is not active.
4. Click Settings and then click Personal Firewall.
5. Click Security Level and make sure the security level is not set to High, as this will block incoming and outgoing traffic.
6. In the Exceptions List under the Description column, select AOL Connection.
7. Close and exit the Settings window.
8. Restart your computer and try to sign on to the internet again.
AVG Firewall
To configure your AVG Firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Open the AVG Control Centre.
2. Highlight Firewall and then click Configure and Applications.
3. If any AOL entries are listed, highlight each one and select Allow.
4. If no AOL entries are listed, click Add Application.
5. Click [ ... ], next to the Application Path box.
6. Navigate to C:\Program Files\AOL 9.0\.
7. Add and allow aol.exe, aoltray.exe and waol.exe.
8. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\.
9. Add and allow aoltpsdp.exe.
10. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS\.
11. Add and allow aoldial.exe, acsd.exe, and aolacsd.exe.
12. When all of the AOL applications are added, click OK.
13. Close the AVG Control Centre.
Select your firewall below for steps on how to modify the firewall security to allow the AOL software to work with the firewall software. We recommend that you contact the firewall software supplier if you require any further information.
Windows 7
To configure your Windows 7 firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Select Large icons in the View by drop-down list on the right-hand side.
3. Click Windows Firewall.
4. Click the Allow a program or feature through Windows firewall link on the left-hand panel.
5. Click Change settings.
6. Tick the following programs: AOL 9.0 VR, AOL System Information and AOL TopSpeed.
7. Click OK. Your Windows Firewall is now set to allow the AOL software.
Windows Firewall
To configure your Windows firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Select Classic View from the panel on the left.
3. Double-click Windows Firewall.
4. Select the Exceptions tab.
Windows Vista users: Select Allow a program through Windows Firewall.
5. Click the Add Program button.
6. Select AOL and click OK.
7. Click the Add Program button again.
8. Select AOL System Information and click OK.
9. Click OK again.
McAfee® Personal Firewall
To configure your McAfee® Personal Firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Right-click the McAfee Personal Firewall icon in the system tray (in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen).
2. Select Options and then click Internet Applications.
3. Select AOL and click Allow Full Access.
4. Repeat this for all AOL programs that are listed in Internet Applications.
McAfee® 2007
To configure your McAfee® 2007 firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Open the McAfee Security Suite.
2. Click Internet and Network.
3. Click Configure and then click Advanced.
4. Select Program Permissions.
5. Select an AOL application that is blocked and then click Grant Full Access.
6. Repeat this for all blocked AOL applications.
7. Click OK and close the McAfee Security Suite.
Norton 2003/2005
To configure your Norton 2003/2005 firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Open Norton Internet Security/Personal Firewall.
2. Click Personal Firewall.
3. Click Configure and then select the Programs tab.
4. Select AOL Program Files and set them to Permit All.
5. Click OK and close Norton Internet Security.
Note: We have had some reports that the AOL software will not work with Norton Firewall. If this is the case, leave the firewall disabled and contact Norton technical support about the issue.
Norton Firewall 2007
To configure your Norton 2007 firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Click Start and select Control Panel.
2. Select Classic View from the panel on the left.
3. Double-click Windows Firewall.
4. Select the Exceptions tab.
Windows Vista users: Select Allow a program through Windows Firewall.
5. Click the Add Program button.
6. Select AOL and click OK.
7. Click the Add Program button again.
8. Select AOL System Information and click OK.
9. Click OK again.
Note: We have had some reports that the AOL software will not work with Norton Firewall. If this is the case, leave the firewall disabled and contact Norton technical support about the issue.
ZoneAlarm 2.6 or 3.0
To configure your ZoneAlarm 2.6 or 3.0 firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Right-click the ZoneAlarm icon in the system tray and select ZoneAlarm Control Centre.
Note: If the ZoneAlarm icon is not present, you can run the program from the Start menu.
2. Click the Security or Firewall button.
3. Using the slider bar, set the Internet Settings to Medium.
4. Click the Program button.
5. Right-click WAOL.EXE (AOL) and select Remove.
Repeat this for the following files:
-- aoltpspd.exe
-- AOLacsd.exe
-- AOLDial.exe
6. Restart the AOL software and when ZoneAlarm asks to grant it access, click Yes.
BlackICE
To configure your BlackICE firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Open BlackICE Advanced Application Protection Settings.
2. Click Tools and then click Find.
3. Type waol.exe and click Find Next.
4. Once the file is found, check that Application Control and Communications Control are blank.
5. Repeat this process for the following files:
-- aoltpspd.exe
-- AOLacsd.exe
-- AOLDial.exe
6. Close the window and try connecting to the internet again.
PC-cillin
To configure your PC-cillin firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Open PC-cillin and select the Advanced tab.
2. Select Internet Traffic Control from the menu on the left.
3. Ensure that the Halt Internet Traffic button is not active.
4. Click Settings and then click Personal Firewall.
5. Click Security Level and make sure the security level is not set to High, as this will block incoming and outgoing traffic.
6. In the Exceptions List under the Description column, select AOL Connection.
7. Close and exit the Settings window.
8. Restart your computer and try to sign on to the internet again.
AVG Firewall
To configure your AVG Firewall to allow the AOL software to connect to the internet, take the following steps:
1. Open the AVG Control Centre.
2. Highlight Firewall and then click Configure and Applications.
3. If any AOL entries are listed, highlight each one and select Allow.
4. If no AOL entries are listed, click Add Application.
5. Click [ ... ], next to the Application Path box.
6. Navigate to C:\Program Files\AOL 9.0\.
7. Add and allow aol.exe, aoltray.exe and waol.exe.
8. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\.
9. Add and allow aoltpsdp.exe.
10. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\ACS\.
11. Add and allow aoldial.exe, acsd.exe, and aolacsd.exe.
12. When all of the AOL applications are added, click OK.
13. Close the AVG Control Centre.
Check your PC for spyware
Spyware is a prime cause of connection problems and can slow down your computer. We recommend that you run spyware protection such as Ad-Aware or Spybot - Search & Destroy regularly.
For more information about spyware, see Safety, Security & Privacy Help.
For more information about spyware, see Safety, Security & Privacy Help.
Related articles
Further Assistance
 | Home Networking |
| Spyware protection |
| Internet & web browser |
| Unexpected disconnections |
| Cables, filters & accessories |
| Accessing AOL from overseas |
| Uninstalling and reinstalling AOL |
| View all >> |
Further Assistance
If you are having trouble finding the answer to your query, contact Member Services.