Wireless UWNet - Unable to Connect
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.
In the event that you are unable to connect, there are a few things to check to attempt to determine the problem.
First, try disconnecting from UWNet then reconnecting. See Wireless UWNet - Windows Configuration.
Verify that the computer is configured to obtain an IP address and DNS server address automatically.
Click on Start > Network
Then click on Network and Sharing Center at the top.
If you are running Windows 7, click Wireless Network Connection and skip to step e.
If you are running Windows Vista, click Manage network connections in the list of tasks on the left.
Locate the connection titled Wireless Network Connection, and double click on it.
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 is now configured to access Wireless UWNet
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 is now configured to access Wireless UWNet
Open the Apple Menu in the top left corner, then click on System Preferences
Click on the Network Control Panel, located under Internet & Network
Verify that the Location is set to Automatic.
Verify that the control panel is unlocked. To do this, look in the bottom left corner. If the lock is locked, click it to unlock. You may need to enter your username and password. If needed, it is the username and password for your computer, NOT your NetID.
Once unlocked, click on AirPort on the left.
Click the Advanced 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 is now configured to access Wireless UWNet
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 Wi-Fi on the left.
Click the Advanced 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 is now configured to access Wireless UWNet
Check to see if the computer is getting a valid wireless IP address. A valid wireless IP address should match the form 72.33.*.*. See below for instructions to verify this.
NOTE: If the user has not yet registered, or they registered within the past 15 minutes, they may have a 10.136.*.* IP address. This will change to a 72.33.0.*, at which point they should be able to connect.
Click on the Start button.
Type in Command.
Right click on Command Prompt.
Select Run as Administrator. A black window with white text should come up.
In the command prompt, enter ipconfig /all
Look through the results for the header: Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection: (Windows Vista) or Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection: (Windows 7)
Below the header, look for IP Address. The computer in the example above has the address 72.33.0.146. This is a valid UWNet IP address.
Navigate to the Start Menu.
Type in Command.
Right click on Command Prompt.
Select Run as Administrator. A black window with white text should come up.
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 72.33.103.137. This is a valid UWNet IP address.
- 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 72.33.103.137. This is a valid UWNet IP address.
Open the Apple Menu in the top left corner, then click on System Preferences
Click on the Network Control Panel, located under Internet & Network
Verify that the Location is set to Automatic.
Click on AirPort on the left.
The IP should appear on the right in small font, under the connection status.
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.
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: Document 70821 is unavailable at this time..
- 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.
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.
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.
NOTE: This is a common issue with conference attendees and other university guests.
If you are still unable to connect after going through the above steps, there are several things that could be the cause of the problem.
If your computer is properly configured, but you are not able to get a valid IP address, it may be the case that:
Another program on your computer is interfering with the connection. Please come to one of DoIT's Service Desks for further assistance. Service Desk Locations and Hours
UWNet is overloaded at the location you are attempting to connect. Each building supports a limited number of connections. When that limit is exceeded, further connections are not assigned an IP address. This is known to happen in College Library, Vilas Hall, and Grainger during peak hours. The only solution to this problem is to either wait for other computers to disconnect from the network, or move to a different building.
If you are getting a valid IP address, but are still unable to connect, it may be the case that:
Your computer is not redirecting to the wireless login page, or the login page is overloaded. This can be circumvented by connecting to the VPN Service if you have it installed already. Please see WiscVPN (Windows) - Connecting with the WiscVPN AnyConnect Client or WiscVPN (Mac) - Connecting with the WiscVPN AnyConnect Client for connection instructions. Ensure you use the WiscVPN-OnCampus profile.
There is a firewall, or some other software interfering with the connection. Sometimes, even if a firewall appears to be shut down or uninstalled, it will still interfere with connectivity. Ensure that any firewall software you have installed is turned off. If you are still unable to connect, please come to one of our Service Desks for further assistance.