Windows 10: Phantom router on network

Recently I've noticed a "phantom" router appearing in my network. The Belkin router is not mine, the Linksys is.

Properties of the Belkin router list serial number, MAC address, model number, model, manufacturer, but no IP address. It only shows up on my desktop, not the Pro 3's or HP laptop's File Explorer under Network.

Desktop is connected to network with a Netgear WNDA3100v3 N600 Dual Band USB Adapter - WPA2-PSK security type. Pro 3 and Laptop connect to network with their internal wireless connections

Haven't noticed any "strange" behavior, or usage, on my machines, but am curious as to why it is appearing in my network.

Also, any suggestions for a program that will scan the network and list all units "attached" to it?






:)

 

Strange Device on my Network

I've just seen the same phantom device connected to my network in Windows 10, but not showing up on the router. Looks like this might be a weird glitch in windows 10?

 

Troubleshooting Homegroups After Upgrading to Windows 10

Phantom HomeGroup: Need to delete HomeGroup from a PC that no longer exists

I used a variation of one of the posts in the link above to resolve the issue:

• I turned off all PCs on my home network.
• Turned off router and wireless repeater. Waited a few minutes.
• Turned on the router.
• Turned on the wireless repeater.
• Started one of the PCs (the one I wanted to use to create the HomeGroup)
• In Control Panel>Network and Internet>HomeGroup I was able to select the button to create a new HomeGroup (this had previously NOT been possible).
• I copied down the password that was automatically created and used it on the other PCs to join the HomeGroup

 

Probably nothing more than a weak signal from a neighbour, and your adaptor is more sensitive to pick it up.

It could also be a 5 GHZ signal, and your other devices can only see 2.4 GHZ.

 

Thanks cereberus - some new neighbors have moved in recently, could belong to one of them. A tablet just briefly appeared in the network - a Verizon Wireless QMV7A 7 inch HD 4G LTE Android WiFi Tablet.

I may just spend the day watching my network and see who/what shows up - *Cool

Thanks again for the reply.

 

...especially if they have set it up with poor/no security.

NirSoft have a small WifiInfoView utility that lets you examine all detected wifi signals in much more detail.

WifiInfoView - WiFi Scanner for Windows 10/7/8/Vista

 

Thanks Bree - will give WifiInfoView a try.

ETA - installed WiFiInfoView - interesting to see all the local wifi setups.

I love this place - you people know things!

 

Phantom devices has been going on since Windows 8.1
Don't worry about them, I get a varying selection of neighbours phones, printers, smart TVs etc. They are not connecting, as you have noted no IP address.

"Also, any suggestions for a program that will scan the network and list all units "attached" to it?"

My Netgear Modem/Router/WAP does just that. Just look in Advanced Tab > Administration > Attached Devices. It lists wired, wireless 2.4G and 5G Devices.

 

Does not mean anything. You can take the MAC and go online to see the mfg. Some devices in Microsoft's database for the MAC info has been messed up since the first time they created Windows. Started to get worse with Windows 7 and it is getting slowly fixed with Windows 10.

 

Helmut - bro67 - thanks for the replies. This had been a learning experience - I like learning experiences - *Smile

 

Only certain manufacturers create the chips that drive the CPU and ports. Those are going to have a Generic vendor and with that, Windows may think that the MAC is for another brand. I use MAC Address and OUI Lookup for - Find the Company that manufactured the network card. when I am trying to remember which device on my network is for a IP, due to a couple of them do not broadcast their netbios name and tend to just be oddballs. Only happens if I have to rebuild my network IP database on my Gateway.

 

The Nirsoft WifiInfoView I suggested earlier can also identify the devices it can see, you can give it the text file from the IEEE that lists the latest revisions. No doubt your lookup link refers to the same database.

WifiInfoView - WiFi Scanner for Windows 10/7/8/Vista