Unable to connect to Router

Since getting a new router I've not been able to connect to it via Wifi under XP, I know it's not a compatibility issue to do with the card because it connects fine under Windows 7 on the same machine (Dual boot).

I'm guessing it's a compatibility issue with the OS itself. There's been no new driver updates since 2011 so that isn't an option, I've tried reinstalling the existing drivers, as well as flushing the cache, changing wifi channels, and even using both the windows and manufacturers' utility to connect. The signal always says excellent.

When using Windows' utility you get a bit more information to go on. So for example I've noticed that in the list of AP's they all display the type of security 'WPA2'... except mine (Picture attached), also when attempting to connect it seems to pause on "detecting network type" before throwing an error that it may no longer be in range (Both pics attached). When using the manufacturers utility you get none of these clues, all APs show as "AES" security and it doesn't throw an error, instead prompts for the network key again stating that it "could" be wrong.

The network card I'm using is the TP-Link TL-WN851ND which has support for b/g/n which should be fine since other older devices connect without issue, such as my PS3 which only has b and g. I have my router set to WPA3 + WPA2, but again other devices than only use WPA2 connects just fine, so I guess it's an issue with XP, or some kind of outdated system protocol or something?

Edited by aHumanError, 30 July 2023 - 02:39 PM.

My previous router was using WPA2 and it connected to that ok. I would think it's down to some kind of router setting but typically everything else connects just fine, weather an older device or new.

WEP wasn't an option, in fact WEP is pretty obsolete on all routers now. I had WPA/WPA2 selected on my old one.

My router is Tp-Link AX3000, the wifi card is in the first post.

XP was compatible with WPA2 since sp3, you can set up a network manually where it gives you all the compatible security options, but I've already tried all the combinations. I have no idea what's going on with it, particularly when Windows 7 connects just fine.

Yes they were the same drivers as I had installed. It seems that XP (or at least the drivers) have a problem with the WPA3 + WPA2 mixed mode, setting it to WPA2 only fixes the issue. I disabled "smart" connect (which chooses between 2.4/5 Ghz on connection) which split my Wifi into the 2 bands and I just set the 2.4 Ghz to WPA2. I guess you have to make compromises when working with older devices. But it's still a mystery to me that Windows 7 doesn't have an issue, I guess it's driver related.

This could've saved me time in the beginning, but I was reluctant to change any router settings. And I even reinstalled XP at one point going though the painstaking security updates and software reinstalls.

Wow.  I had no idea such a thing as "WPA3" even existed.  Google says it came out in 2004, but I've used WIndows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 10, since then, along with a router that was new circa 2016, and none of these devices or OSes have ever mentioned WPA3.  What the...?

Wow.  I had no idea such a thing as "WPA3" even existed.  Google says it came out in 2004, but I've used WIndows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 10, since then, along with a router that was new circa 2016, and none of these devices or OSes have ever mentioned WPA3.  What the...?

Sorry for the late reply.

Yes WPA3 has been around for a while but devices don't really make use of such things initially. Besides, for most cases (especially home use) WPA2 is perfectly sufficiant.

But it's all great bringing updated security out the problem is making new and old devices seamless and compatible... which was my issue