Firewall making it difficult to connect to internet/wi-fi

[Lhanif]

Hi all.

I am a new user of HP Pavilion Plus 14. Currently still trying to figure out some things to adapt with this HP hardware, and I have a question about Wi-Fi connection and firewall.

So. the problem is that my laptop doesn't automatically connect to my personal Wi-Fi. I tried to run a diagnostic with my laptop and the result is as below, seems my firewall is the one blocking my internet connection.

Wifi diagnostic 1 - firewall settings blocking internet connection from private wifiWifi diagnostic 2 - Troubleshooting report implying connection blocked by security or firewall 

I have an additional security system as I buy this product with an add-on of 6 years of McAfee service. However, I tried looking this TunnelBear/SplitBear under both VPN and McAfee and I don't find any info on this. So, I am a bit blank now. The images of my VPN and Firewall settings are below.

Firewall settingsVPN settings

Anyone can tell me where I should go to fix issue regarding my wi-fi connection?

Thank you very much.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Lhanif,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like you're encountering a common issue where your firewall settings may be preventing your laptop from automatically connecting to your personal Wi-Fi network. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and hopefully resolve the issue:

1. Disable Firewall Temporarily

To determine if the firewall is indeed the problem, you can temporarily disable it and see if your laptop connects to the Wi-Fi. Here’s how you can do it:

Windows Defender Firewall:

1. Press the Windows key, type "firewall", and select Windows Defender Firewall.
2. On the left, click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
3. Select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall option for both private and public networks. (Note: This is for testing purposes only; don't forget to turn it back on later to protect your PC.)

Third-party Firewall: If you have a third-party firewall, you will need to open the application and look for an option to disable or turn off the firewall temporarily.

2. Connect to Wi-Fi

With the firewall temporarily disabled, try to connect to your Wi-Fi network. If you can connect, this indicates the firewall was blocking the connection.

3. Adjust Firewall Settings

If disabling the firewall allows you to connect, you’ll need to adjust your firewall settings to allow your Wi-Fi connection:

Windows Defender Firewall:

1. Open Windows Defender Firewall and click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
2. Check if your Wi-Fi network's software is listed and allowed. If not, you can allow it by clicking Change settings and then Allow another app.

Third-party Firewall: You'll need to consult the specific instructions for your firewall software to allow your Wi-Fi connection. Usually, this involves adding an exception for your Wi-Fi network or the network's software.

4. Re-enable Your Firewall

Once you’ve made the necessary adjustments, don’t forget to re-enable your firewall to keep your system protected.

Additional Steps:

If the above steps don’t solve the issue, consider:

• Updating your Wi-Fi adapter’s drivers through the Device Manager.
• Ensuring your router's firmware is up to date.
• Resetting your network settings by going to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Rachel571 

HP Support