Wi-fi networks not detected

Confused user

I installed Bitdefender TS because a review said it had a good tool for my home wifi for unexpected devices but it is not detecting any networks. I go to Protection/Vulnerability/Wi-fi security advisor. The dialog shows:

"Home networks / 0 Wi-Fi networks found, 0 connections are secured"

"No home wifi network set / Select your home wifi network from one of the available networks." No networks are displayed and the "Select home wifi" button is greyed out.

I get the same on the Office Wifi tab. The Public Wifi tab tells me I haven't connected to any connected to any network yet.

I am connected to a network and have internet access. So why id Bitdefender not detecting it, and how can I fix the problem?

Thanks

Scott

Hello @Confused user

I know it may be simplistic, but have you tried a PC restart? Restart your router and run the Vulnerability Scan again. Also, confirm that Wi-Fi Security Advisor is enabled in the Settings

If needed, you can run a Repair and see if that helps.

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/13429/

This post has some good suggestions, including the Support option mentioned as well.

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/349664#Comment_349664

Kind regards.

Confused user

Reposted with first sentence corrected. Apologies for my bad proofing.

I installed Bitdefender TS because a review said it had a good tool for inspecting my home wifi for unexpected devices, but Wifi Security Advisor is not detecting any networks. I go to Protection/Vulnerability/Wi-fi security advisor. The dialog shows:

"Home networks / 0 Wi-Fi networks found, 0 connections are secured"

"No home wifi network set / Select your home wifi network from one of the available networks." No networks are displayed and the "Select home wifi" button is greyed out.

I get the same on the Office Wifi tab. The Public Wifi tab tells me I haven't connected to any network yet.

I am connected to a wifi network and have internet access. So why is Bitdefender not detecting it, and how can I fix the problem?

Thanks

Confused user

Thanks. I got to the support page, and the chatbot eventually suggested doing a network reset through Windows settings. This solved the proximal problem: WiFi Security Advisor now gives me a list of every network I have ever connected to, and I can select my home network.

However, I am still not able to see what other devices are connected to my home network, which is a key hacking concern and why I downloaded Bitdefender Total Security in the first place. Bitdefender Home Scanner no longer seems to be available; instead the chatbot tells me I need to purchase a Bitdefender BOX.

Alexandru_BD

The Wi-Fi Security Advisor analyzes how secure a wireless network is, and makes recommendations based on that analysis. It won't show or block other devices that may be connected to your network. However, I think the firewall can come in handy here, by blocking inbound and outbound unauthorized connection attempts, both on local networks and on the Internet. Since you have Total Security, you can make good use of its advanced firewall features:

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2082/

And you are right, the Home Scanner was discontinued in August 2023. Now, most antivirus programs themselves do not directly block devices on the network, they usually recommend actions to secure your network. Bitdefender provides advanced protection against threats coming from the network, and it all starts with the firewall.
The firewall is your gate keeper and will ensure your devices are safe. The security modules are designed in a specific way, so that IF a defense fails, another one takes its place.
For example, the firewall prevents the infection from entering the PC from the network. If the firewall fails, Advanced Threat Defense takes over and blocks dubious processes. If this module misses something, then the Antivirus will find any modification of files during scanning.

Regards

Scott

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/350373#Comment_350373

Are you looking for something like this? You can always open up your routers homepage and see the connected devices from there, it may not be a convenient, but is an option. Otherwise, you would need to consider @Alexandru_BD above post.

Confused user

@Scott @Alexandru_BD These are both good suggestions. Getting deep into the firewall might be more than I want to do (although it just let me block an app that shouldn't need access), but monitoring the router's network inspector might give me the reassurance I'm looking for. Thanks.

Scott

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/350430#Comment_350430

At one time I was using the Bitdefender Antivirus Plus along with the fee version of Glasswire. It also had a very nice and easy to use network monitor, where you can change the names of the devices. It was not a fully functional firewall app, the free version, you couldn't block connections, you would have to do that in the Windows firewall settings itself. It also did a wonderful job in notifying of an apps first outbound connection like Alert mode does in the Bitdefender firewall settings. But with the added protection of Bitdefender's firewall, I went with Total Security instead of the AV+ and Glasswire combination.

My above network monitor image was taken with a device running another AV, just so you know, as your routers network page may not be as full fledged?

Cheers :)