Learn more:

• NetID - What is a NetID?
• NetID - Eligibility Policy

Note: If you are a student, faculty, or staff member that is returning to the University, you do not need to activate your NetID if you can still login successfully. However, you should Activate Missing Services to ensure that you have access to the services you are eligible for.

Step by Step Activation

1. Navigate to the NetID Account Activation page, https://www.mynetid.wisc.edu/activate.

2. In the ID number or Activation Key field:

   • If you have a Wiscard, enter the 11-digit number (including the "issue code" as the 11th digit).

   • If you are an applicant/student but do not have a Wiscard, enter your Campus ID or Student ID provided in your registration materials.

   • If you are a new UW-Madison faculty/staff member and do not have a Wiscard, contact your HR department. They will provide you with either the 10-digit Campus ID number or a 12-digit activation key. Enter that number in the field.

   Under Date of Birth, enter your birthdate. Click the Activate button.

   Note: All UW-Madison students and current faculty/staff must have a valid UW-Madison Campus ID number in order to activate their NetID account. New UW-Madison faculty and staff who need to activate their NetID prior to obtaining a Campus ID number must contact their HR department. You may have a Campus ID number even if you do not possess a physical UW-Madison photo ID card. For more information about obtaining your ID number, see Help Desk - I Need My Campus ID/Wiscard Number.

   

3. At the top of the screen, you will see the following message:

   

   Important: If you already have a NetID, it is imperative that you click the link in the above message rather than activating a second NetID. You will then be prompted to login with your existing NetID and password, and walked through the process to link you new affiliation to your existing NetID. If you forget your existing NetID or password, see NetID Account Recovery (Password Reset). If you are unable to obtain the NetID and password using this tool, call the DoIT Help Desk. The only scenario in which you should activate a second NetID is if the Help Desk informs you that your existing NetID is inactive.

4. Please read the Appropriate Use Guidelines on page two of the activation process. Scroll down to the bottom of this window and highlight the I Accept radio button. Click Next.

   

5. The Appropriate Use Guidelines continue on page three of the activation process. Please read these guidelines and click the I Understand button at the bottom of the screen to continue.

   

6. The next part of the activation process requires that you set Account Recovery Questions and a Recovery Email for your account. If you cannot remember your NetID or password, your security questions and recovery email can be used to reset your password and/or remind you of your NetID.

7. Select the question you would like to answer using the drop-down arrows to the right of the question. Type your answer in the box below the question. When you have answered all three questions, click the Save my answers button.

   

8. You must now set a recovery email for your NetID account. Enter a recovery email address that does not end in wisc.edu in the Recovery Email field. Click the Next button.

   

9. A recovery code will be sent to the email address you provided:

   

10. Enter the Recovery Code from your email into the space provided and click Next:

    

11. You must now set a password and a recovery email for your NetID account. Please note the password requirements on this screen. Enter your password twice at the bottom of this screen and click Activate Account.

    

12. If you have successfully activated your account you will see the screen below. To complete the process:

• Please note your NetID and Recover Email address in the middle of this screen.

Note: A NetID Activation Summary email will also be sent to the email address you used to submit your application. 

If you have any problems activating your account please contact the DoIT Help Desk at 608-264-HELP (4357).