UWNet - Troubleshooting

This document contains steps to troubleshoot connection issues on UWNet.

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

Use eduroam

See Connect to Campus Wi-Fi for instructions to connect to eduroam. eduroam is the preferred wireless network on the UW-Madison campus.

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.

  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: UWNet - Log In to UWNet.
    2. For devices without a browser, like smart TVs, game devices, routers: UWNet - Register a Device Without a Browser.
  2. Check that the device you are attempting to connect is compatible with UWNet: UWNet - Device Incompatibility List.
  3. If your device is registered and compatible, disconnect from UWNet for at least 10 minutes, and then try reconnecting.Windows (8, 10, 11) - Verify Your Network Card is Installed and Enabled
  4. If it still has not connected, completely turn off your device for 30 seconds, then restart.
  5. Forget the UWNet network on your device. Connect to a different Wi-Fi network (e.g. eduroam) and enter any credentials (it does not need to go through). Try to connect to UWNet again.
  6. 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.

Campus Network (iOS 14) - Private Wi-Fi Address on UWNet

Campus Network (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.

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

Windows 10 and Windows 11

  1. Navigate to the Start menu and type Control Panel.
  2. Click Network and Internet.
  3. Click on Network and Sharing Center.

    Screenshot of Network and Sharing Center

  4. Next, click Wi-Fi (UWNet).

    Screenshot of Network and Sharing Center Active Connections

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. Your computer should now be configured to wireless UWNet.

macOS 15

  1. Open the Apple Menu in the top left corner
  2. Click on System Settings.
  3. Click the Network tab.

    MacOS settings Network

  4. Click Wi-Fi.

    MacOS 15 Wi-Fi Network Settings

  5. Click Details.

    MacOS 15 Wi-Fi Details button

  6. Click the TCP/IP tab.

    MacOS 15 tcp/ip

  7. Make sure that the Configure IPv4 section is set to Using DHCP.

    Check Configure IPv4

  8. Click OK at the bottom of the screen.
  9. Click the DNS tab.
  10. Make sure there are no manual entries listed. Click on a manual entry and use the "minus" button to remove it.
    Manual entries are in normal text, while automatic entries are grey.

    Remove old DNS

  11. Click OK to save.

Additional Resources

See Change DNS settings on Mac on Apple's support page for more information.

4) 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 10 and Windows 11

  1. Navigate to the Start Menu.
  2. Type in Command.
  3. Right click on Command Prompt.
  4. Select  Run as Administrator from the dropdown.

    Run as administrator in command prompt

  5. In the command prompt, enter "ipconfig /all", and hit Enter.

    ipconfig Command Prompt

  6. Look for the Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi header.

    IPv4 in Command Prompt

  7. Below the header, look for IPv4 Address. Valid UWNet IP addresses start with either 10.140. or 10.141.
    In the image above, the IP address is 10.141.165.155.

macOS 15

  1. Open the Apple Menu in the top-left corner.
  2. Click System Settings.
  3. Click Network.

    MacOS settings Network

  4. Click Wi-Fi.

    MacOS 15 Wi-Fi Network Settings

  5. Next to UWNet, click Details.

    MacOS 15 Wi-Fi Details button

  6. Find your IP address. Valid UWNet IP addresses start with either 10.140. or 10.141.
    In the image below, the IP address is 10.141.165.155. 

    IP address in MacOS 15 network settings

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:

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

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.

See Also

30876 30887

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:
2025-06-26
Sites:
DoIT Help Desk