Wireless UWNet - Unable to Connect

eduroam, UW–Madison’s secure wireless network, is updating its trusted certificate on Tuesday, April 23, at 10pm. You will be prompted to accept/“trust” the new certificate on each device that connects to eduroam. Please accept this new certificate, as a valid certificate guarantees that the network you’re connecting to is legitimate. If you do not accept, you will not be able to connect to eduroam.

Wireless UWNet should work with most common configurations. This document contains some steps you can try to establish a connection if you are unable to connect.

1) Initial troubleshooting

In the event that you are unable to connect, there are a few basic troubleshooting steps to try first.

  1. 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.
    1. For devices with a browser, like computers, mobile phones, and tablets: Wireless UWNet - How to Register for WiFi (Affiliates and Guests).
    2. For devices without a browser, like smart TVs, game devices, routers: Wireless UWNet - Register a Device Without a Browser.
  2. Check that the device you are attempting to connect is compatible with UWNet: Wireless UWNet - Device Incompatibility List.
  3. If your device is registered and compatible, disconnect from UWNet for 5-10 minutes, and then try reconnecting.
    1. Wireless UWNet - Windows Configuration
    2. Wireless UWNet - Mac OS X Configuration
  4. If it still has not connected, completely turn off your device for 30 seconds, then restart.
  5. If the connection still failed, please try the below troubleshooting steps.

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.

eduroam - Accessing and Logging in to eduroam

Note for iOS 14+ devices

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 & Above - Turning Off the Private Address Feature

2) Verify that the computer is configured to obtain an IP address and DNS server address automatically.

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.

Screenshot of Network and Sharing Center

Next, click Wi-Fi (UWNet).

Screenshot of Network and Sharing Center Active Connections

Click on Properties in the lower left portion of the window. After doing so, you may be prompted for permission to continue.

Screenshot of properties under Wi-Fi status

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.

Screenshot of Wifi properties - Internet Protocol version

Ensure that Obtain an IP address automatically, and Obtain DNS server address automatically are both selected. If either is wrong, correct it.

Screenshot of obtain an IP address automatically and obtain DNS server address automatically

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 Preferences

Apple > System Preferences

Click on the Network Control Panel.

Open the Network Control Panel

Verify that the Location is set to Automatic.

Click on Wi-Fi on the left.

Click on Wi-Fi, then advanced

Click the Advanced button.

Click on the TCP/IP tab. Ensure that Configure IPv4 says Using DHCP.

Verify that Configure IPv4 is set to 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.

Remove all manual entries from the DNS settings

Click on OK and then click on Apply

Your computer should now be configured to wireless UWNet.

3) Verify the computer is getting a valid wireless IP address

Check to see if the computer is getting a valid wireless IP address. A valid wireless IP address should begin with either 10.140 or 10.141. See below for instructions to verify this.

Windows 8/10+

Navigate to the Start Menu.

Type in Command.

Right click on  Command Prompt.

Select  Run as Administrator from the dropdown.
Run as administrator in command prompt

In the command prompt, enter ipconfig /all

Look through the results for the header: Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi

IPv4 in Command Prompt

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

Apple > System Preferences

Click on the Network Control Panel.

Open the Network Control Panel

Verify that the Location is set to Automatic.

Click on WiFi on the left.

Click on WiFi, then look for your IP address on the right

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. 

4) 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:

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 - How to Install, Connect, Uninstall, and Disconnect WiscVPN Palo Alto GlobalProtect 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: eduroam - Accessing and Logging in to eduroam.

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.

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Keywords:
wireless uwnet access problem unable connect vilas grainger college library connection troubleshooting campus network wifi register resnet registration eduroam visitor guest lowell center configure proxy 
Doc ID:
9727
Owned by:
Help Desk KB Team in DoIT Help Desk
Created:
2009-04-22
Updated:
2024-08-20
Sites:
DoIT Help Desk