topic Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location in Electronics

Problems with laptop detecting my location

qualityshopper — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 05:21:04 GMT

I am having a weird problem with the HP laptop I bought from QVC that was a TSV back in November. I have never had this issue with any other computer that I've ever owned and at a loss as to how to correct it. HP tried a few things, but couldn't seem to figure it out either. In fact, the tech support guy apparently had never encountered this problem either.

So, here's what happens. Whether I'm on Edge (which I never use) or on Chrome, if I search for anything near me (example: doctors near me, plumbers near me, etc.), the results are what one would expect--doctors, plumbers, whatever that are in my city. However, if I go to a specific retailer's website, the site has me located in a completely different city, miles from me. Now, obviously, I can change the store location on the sites I go to (or sign into my account), but I shouldn't have to do that. The sites should be able to detect where I live without any problem. All of my other computers, past and present, have always been able to do so until this one. I do not understand why the search engines (Bing or Google) know exactly where I am, but individual sites do not. Both myself and HP have played with the settings to correct this, but it's not working.

Would anyone have any idea why this happens and what to do about it? Thanks.

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

hckynutjohn — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 06:00:53 GMT

@qualityshopper

Have you checked everything in your Settings? Never heard of this, but I know I have to set the time zone we live in, when setting everything else up to work.

Not sure that has anything to do with your issue, just throwing it out there. I know that makes a difference when I set up my Dish Network equipment, when it comes to Google earth.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

NYCLatinaMe — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 06:23:20 GMT

@qualityshopper It may be a wifi issue, or an issue concerning the routing of your signal to the retailers website. Many times the websites for the retailers are in a centralized location and handles the location issue in a different way than a browser.

Honestly, I wouldn't give it any thought. I always block the location and enter it manually when I want to. Sometimes before I enter the location the websites guesses my location anyway, and it's never exactly right. If you allow cookies, it will remember your location the next time you visit the website. Or I should say that is what happens to me.

This mislocation happens to me in a more significant way when I am web browsing in my phone using wifi signals in places other than my home where the host network, I guess I would call it, is in a different state. The websites think I am in that state. If location matters, I just enter the info. No biggie.

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

qualityshopper — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 06:39:44 GMT

@hckynutjohn --Yes, I've checked those settings, and everything is correct. It's a real mystery to me. Am wondering if I should try going to Privacy & Security and under Location, choose the option that lets you select a Default Location. I've never gone to that setting before (never had a reason to use it, nor do I really know what it's for). Don't know if that will help or not. The HP tech guy thought I might end up having to reset the computer in an attempt to fix the issue. Don't really want to do that since I've pretty much got everything set up how I want it, but if I have to, guess I will.

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

qualityshopper — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 06:51:13 GMT

@NYCLatinaMe --Not sure about it being a wifi issue. I took a chance & contacted my internet provider, but they said I needed to contact HP. My other computers have no problem, and they're all using the same modem & router.

I'm used to the local retailers not getting my precise location (or the exact store I shop at), but the locations that are selected are, at least, still in my vicinity, which means the ads and pricing for sales pertain to me. Unfortunately, the sites don't even come close to where I am. You're right, it's no big deal to simply select my location. It's just that I shouldn't have to. Also, I'd rreally like to figure out why this is happening. It puzzles me!

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

Snowpuppy — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 07:02:27 GMT

ITA, can be your internet provider or your wi-fi.

While I'm not a tech guru I do have an HP laptop and Samsung tablet. For the longest time I was in Chicago. 🙄 I'm in Northern MI.

About a week ago it's now locating me in a Detroit suburb. 😁

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

Tori3569 — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 07:53:09 GMT

My suggestion is to just change the location if you are going to make a purchase and not worry about it.

It happens to me all the time on my laptop or my iPad. It's an issue with the specific website, not with your computer. Many seem to have a default location they use, unless or until you log in.

For example, I was putting in a pickup order for ShopRite yesterday and the location defaulted to something in Pennsylvania. I live in NYC. I am registered with that website, so it changed when I logged in. It has happened with CVS, Michael's, Nordstrom, etc.

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

millieshops — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 11:55:24 GMT

@qualityshopper I've been having a similar problem and have to reset my location more often than I like. My laptop is old, not bought through QVC; I blame my problem on Edge or old age (of the laptop and me!)

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

qualityshopper — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 13:04:10 GMT

@Snowpuppy --I checked with my internet provider. All they could say was that it had nothing to do with them. They blamed it on the computer.

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

qualityshopper — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 13:12:08 GMT

@Tori3569 --Actually I don't think it's anything to do with the websites because I'm using all of my computers at home, so the locations that pop up should be exactly the same on all of them. All of the websites I visit on my other two computers come up with the exact same store locations, ones in my area. It's only this stupid new computer that's coming up with something different. Can't figure it out. I've even checked to see if any of my settings differ on this computer from the other two, but they're identical. As you said, I'll just have to change the location at each site, but it's just that I shouldn't have to.

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

qualityshopper — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 13:15:49 GMT

@millieshops --Wish I could blame this on old age (me!) (I blame a lot of other things on that ), but this seems to be on the computer. Unfortunately, it happens whether I'm on Edge or Chrome. It's a mystery!

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

millieshops — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 13:23:42 GMT

@qualityshopper I'm with you. Edge for me is worse than Chrome, but neither does my location well.

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

Desertdi — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 13:31:29 GMT

Same here. My computer has me living in a "fancy" neighborhood. Ha....I'm five miles up the road....where the servants live....

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

drizzellla — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 14:07:47 GMT

@Tori3569 wrote:
My suggestion is to just change the location if you are going to make a purchase and not worry about it.

It happens to me all the time on my laptop or my iPad. It's an issue with the specific website, not with your computer. Many seem to have a default location they use, unless or until you log in.

For example, I was putting in a pickup order for ShopRite yesterday and the location defaulted to something in Pennsylvania. I live in NYC. I am registered with that website, so it changed when I logged in. It has happened with CVS, Michael's, Nordstrom, etc.

Happens to me all the time. Yesterday I went to the Costco website. The Costco website put me in Washington state. That is the opposite side of the country. I just clicked on my store.

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

ValuSkr — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 14:20:36 GMT

I just sign-in to the retailer's website. Then all is good.

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

gadgetgal613 — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 14:32:00 GMT

@qualityshopper wrote:
@Tori3569 --Actually I don't think it's anything to do with the websites because I'm using all of my computers at home, so the locations that pop up should be exactly the same on all of them. All of the websites I visit on my other two computers come up with the exact same store locations, ones in my area. It's only this stupid new computer that's coming up with something different. Can't figure it out. I've even checked to see if any of my settings differ on this computer from the other two, but they're identical. As you said, I'll just have to change the location at each site, but it's just that I shouldn't have to.

Why would you want these businesses to automatically know your location? I can understand a weather app or website so you get the correct forecast but, a retail store? I check a lot of stores from home to see if they have an item in stock. I'll go to the website, pick my local store then do a search. It doesn't take 10 seconds to do this. I really am a person who tries not to tell people how to live but, I can't help wondering why you would give this option to a business.

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

NYCLatinaMe — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 16:29:18 GMT

@qualityshopper As I opened my computer, I think I just realized what the problem is: the new computer and the cookies.

The new computer does not have the cookies from your old computer. (Cookies track you on the internet and gather information about you.) In my experience, computers automatically don't have your location. Many websites ask whether they can access your location. But if you are logged in, or when you have previously entered your location and the website uses cookies (they all do), they know who you are and your location.

Did you log in your browsers that you use to find things near you? If you use gmail, you would have had to log in with the new computer, and so google chrome has all your info. Same with Edge and any microsoft app that you may have logged into. With every website you visit for the first time with your new computer, if you log in or otherwise provide location info, they know your location. But if you haven't entered your location or logged in with your new computer, they don't.

If the second time you visit a website after giving your location once, it doesn't automatically know your location, check your cookie settings to make sure your computer is not blocking them. I know in my iphone, I can specfically grant or deny an app access to my location. (Thanks apple!)

Not many people like internet cookies, but you do!

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

Mindy D — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 20:55:46 GMT

@qualityshopper wrote:
I am having a weird problem with the HP laptop I bought from QVC that was a TSV back in November. I have never had this issue with any other computer that I've ever owned and at a loss as to how to correct it. HP tried a few things, but couldn't seem to figure it out either. In fact, the tech support guy apparently had never encountered this problem either.

So, here's what happens. Whether I'm on Edge (which I never use) or on Chrome, if I search for anything near me (example: doctors near me, plumbers near me, etc.), the results are what one would expect--doctors, plumbers, whatever that are in my city. However, if I go to a specific retailer's website, the site has me located in a completely different city, miles from me. Now, obviously, I can change the store location on the sites I go to (or sign into my account), but I shouldn't have to do that. The sites should be able to detect where I live without any problem. All of my other computers, past and present, have always been able to do so until this one. I do not understand why the search engines (Bing or Google) know exactly where I am, but individual sites do not. Both myself and HP have played with the settings to correct this, but it's not working.

Would anyone have any idea why this happens and what to do about it? Thanks.

@qualityshopper This happens to me sometimes if I am not logged into a website and I'm on an IPad. I do have locations off for specific apps, but not for my browser which is Safari, a version of Google. This will happen on Grub Hub, Dooor Dash and other retailers. I do have do not track turned on in my settings.

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

qbetzforreal — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 22:56:26 GMT

I use Firefox as my browser and DuckDuckGo as my search engine.

Google captures and retains your searches and information.

Re: Problems with laptop detecting my location

Caffeina — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 02:44:20 GMT

@qualityshopper

It's not your computer. Location information is determined by third party providers, and not all of them have the correct information in their databases. You'd have to know which provider each site uses, and contact each provider to have it corrected. It can take a month or more for corrections to be made.

Explanation from whatismybrowser dot com.

Here's a list of location providers if you want to contact them. I prefer to just enter my zip code on the websites I visit.