Wireless UWNet - Unable to Connect
1) Check the Outages page
Check the UW-Madison Outages page to see if there is an outage in your area. Your connection issues may be due to an outage or planned maintenance that is happening on campus.
2) Initial troubleshooting
eduroam
eduroam is a great alternative to UWNet. Eduroam offers an encrypted connection and avoids the burden of periodically having to re-register your devices. For more about the benefits, see: eduroam - End-user Benefits.
UWNet
In the event that you are unable to connect to UWNet, there are a few basic troubleshooting steps to try first.
- Verify the device you are attempting to connect is registered for use with UWNet. You can use this for initially registering devices and for lapsed registration.
- For devices with a browser, like computers, mobile phones, and tablets: UWNet - Login to UWNet.
- For devices without a browser, like smart TVs, game devices, routers: UWNet - Register a Device Without a Browser.
- Check that the device you are attempting to connect is compatible with UWNet: UWNet - Device Incompatibility List.
- If your device is registered and compatible, disconnect from UWNet for 5-10 minutes, and then try reconnecting.
- If it still has not connected, completely turn off your device for 30 seconds, then restart.
- If the connection still failed, please try the below troubleshooting steps.
iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
iOS 14's new private address feature allows for the randomization of the device's MAC address. Due to how UWNet works and authenticates devices to make sure the network is secure, devices with this feature enabled may have issues connecting to UWNet and Eduroam.
iOS 14 and Above - Turning Off the Private Address Feature
Apple iOS 18 / iPadOS 18 / macOS Sequoia - Private Wi-Fi Address on UWNet
3) Verify that the computer is configured to obtain an IP address and DNS server address automatically.
Windows 8/10+
Navigate to the Start menu and type Control Panel. Then click Network and Internet.
Click on Network and Sharing Center.
Next, click Wi-Fi (UWNet).
Click on Properties in the lower left portion of the window. After doing so, you may be prompted for permission to continue.
In the window that comes up, look for Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) under "This connection uses the following items." Select it, and then click Properties.
Ensure that Obtain an IP address automatically, and Obtain DNS server address automatically are both selected. If either is wrong, correct it.
Your computer should now be configured to wireless UWNet.
Mac OS 10.7+
Open the Apple Menu in the top left corner, then click on System Settings
Click the Network tab.
Verify that the Location is set to Automatic.
Click on Wi-Fi.
Click the Details button.
Click on the TCP/IP tab. Ensure that Configure IPv4 says Using DHCP.
Click on the DNS tab. Ensure there are no manual entries listed. Manual entries are in normal text, while automatic entries are greyed out.
Click on OK and then click on Apply
Your computer should now be configured to wireless UWNet.
4) Verify the computer is getting a valid wireless IP address
Windows 8/10+
Navigate to the Start Menu.
Type in Command.
Right click on Command Prompt.
Select Run as Administrator from the dropdown.
In the command prompt, enter ipconfig /all
Look through the results for the header: Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi
Below the header, look for IP Address. The computer in the example above has the address 10.141.165.155. This is a valid UWNet IP address. A valid wireless IP address should begin with either 10.140 or 10.141.
Mac OS 10.7+
Open the Apple Menu in the top left corner, then click on System Preferences
Click on the Network Control Panel.
Verify that the Location is set to Automatic.
Click on WiFi on the left.
The IP should appear on the right in small font, under the connection status. The computer in the example above has the address 10.141.165.155. A valid wireless IP address should begin with either 10.140 or 10.141.
5) Advanced troubleshooting
If you are using Windows 8.1 or earlier and are still unable to connect, try the steps in this document: Windows - Quick Fix for Networking Problems.
If you are using Windows 10, follow the steps in this document: Windows 10 - Performing a Network Reset.
Check your web browser for proxies by following the steps in this document: Web Browsers - Checking for a Proxy. If there are any proxies enabled, disable them.
- NOTE: This is a common issue with conference attendees and other university guests.
Release and renew the IP address using the following instructions:
- Windows - Displaying, Releasing, and Renewing a DHCP Lease
- Mac OS - Displaying, Releasing, and Renewing a DHCP Lease
If you are using a Windows computer, and are still unable to connect, try flushing DNS entries.
- Select Search on the taskbar, and type command prompt. The Command Prompt button will appear. To the right of it, select Run as administrator > Yes.
- At the command prompt, run the following commands in the listed order, and then check to see if that fixes your connection problem:
- Type netsh winsock reset and select Enter.
- Type netsh int ip reset and select Enter.
- Type ipconfig /release and select Enter.
- Type ipconfig /renew and select Enter.
- Type ipconfig /flushdns and select Enter.
Disable any third-party firewall software (Norton Internet Security and Zone Alarm are two common examples) on your computer. These firewalls occasionally have an error that prevents internet connectivity, even if they appear to be configured to allow it.
If you are getting a valid IP address, but are still unable to connect, your computer might not redirecting to the wireless login page. The login page could also be overloaded. This can be circumvented by connecting to the VPN service. Please see WiscVPN GlobalProtect (All OS) - Installing, Connecting, and Uninstalling for installation and connection instructions.
Additional Help
If you can connect to other wireless connections but are still unable to connect to UWNet, please try to connect to eduroam: Connect to Campus Wi-Fi.
For further help with connecting to UWNet, please contact the DoIT Help Desk at (608) 264-4357: Get Help from DoIT. You can bring your computer in to DoIT Onsite.