I need computer help again. This laptop isnt working wirelessly.

[HBARleatherneck]

The laptop is about 1 month old. It is a cheap Dell laptop. I can not get it to connent via wifi. It has over the last month worked on and off.
I went to the settings and it says

"wifi doesnt have a valid ip configuration"

I called my internet provider and they wont help with this issue. Our internet works and it works if I plug the laptop in. And my kids school computers are working wirelesslly. Our router is brand new and its a Linkysis e1200. It works perfect with every other computer here but I cant get this one to work.
/
Will someone help me get the computer set up? Or else I have to sit on the floor tethered to a 3 foot long cable.

My computer shows connections. It shows my router and my neighbors routers, it just wont connect properly.

[68Charger]

Windows 8? does it have updates applied?
There was an early bug with some drivers related to windows 8 and wifi.

[StagLefty]

At a month old wouldn't Dell support honor warranty issues ?

[HBARleatherneck]

the tech from my internet said its probably just a setting that needs changed, he just couldnt do it.

[StagLefty]

Check for updates-I bought a new Dell laptop in May with Windows 8.1 and it's run great.

Sent from my KFOT using Tapatalk 2

[two shoes]

Did you check the external switch?

[brutal]

Try this:

Find the network/wireless icon in the Windows task tray and right click it.

Select Troubleshoot Problems.

[DCusaf]

Your laptop should get its IP config from your router. Do you have admin access to your router from one of your kids computers? If so, make sure the dhcp server is able to hand out enough IP addresses. You may also be able to look at the logs and get a better explanation of why your laptop is having problems.

As a last resort, go to walmart or bestbuy and get a USB wireless adapter that matches your linksys wireless access point. Sucks to pay for an adapter when you have built in wireless but sometimes there are compatibility issues with cheap lwireless chipsets installed in many laptops. Return it if it doesn't fix the problem. The USB adapter will most likely have better range and can be used on multiple devices.

[Holger Danske]

Google Dell "wifi doesnt have a valid ip configuration" with the model number of your system

[vossman]

I have to unplug the wifi and let it sit for 10 secs before reconnecting once or twice a month. Not sure WTF is wrong but its a low hanging fruit.