Can't Connect to Hidden Wifi Network, Need Assistance

Wifi
1

Recently, my wifi network was set to hidden and now I can’t connect. I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong with entering the SSID and password. Could someone guide me through the steps to connect to a hidden wifi network on my device? Any help would be appreciated.

2

Connecting to a hidden WiFi network can be tricky, but it’s definitely doable. Here’s a step-by-step guide for you:

  1. Double-Check the SSID and Password: Make sure you have the correct SSID and password. Hidden networks won’t appear in your list of available networks, so you must enter this information manually. Pay attention to uppercase and lowercase letters.

  2. Manual Network Addition:

    • Windows:
      1. Go to “Settings” → “Network & Internet” → “Wi-Fi”.
      2. Click on “Manage known networks” and then “Add a new network”.
      3. Enter the SSID, choose the security type (usually WPA2), and then enter the password.
    • MacOS:
      1. Open “System Preferences” and click on “Network”.
      2. Select “Wi-Fi” and click on “Advanced”.
      3. In the “Wi-Fi” tab, click the “+” button to add a network.
      4. Enter the SSID, choose the security type, and input the password.
    • Android:
      1. Go to “Settings” → “Wi-Fi” and tap “Add network”.
      2. Enter the network name (SSID) and choose the security type.
      3. Enter the password.
    • iOS:
      1. Open “Settings” → “Wi-Fi” and tap “Other”.
      2. Enter the network name, security type, and password.

  3. Check Network Settings:

    • Ensure your device is set to automatically connect to the network.
    • Verify that airplane mode is off and Wi-Fi is enabled.

  4. Update Network Drivers/Software: Check if your device’s WiFi drivers or software need an update. Sometimes outdated drivers can cause connectivity issues.

  5. Use Network Diagnostic Tools:

    • Consider using NetSpot Site Survey Software. It’s a versatile tool that maps out your WiFi coverage and provides insight into signal strength, which can help you position yourself correctly relative to the router.
      • Pros:
        • User-friendly interface.
        • Detailed visual heatmaps of WiFi signal strength.
        • Helps in identifying dead zones and areas of interference.
      • Cons:
        • The free version has limited features.
        • Can be a bit overwhelming with all the advanced options if you’re just a casual user.
    • Competitors like inSSIDer or Acrylic WiFi can also provide similar diagnostic functionalities, but NetSpot’s visual representation makes it easier for users to analyze the data.

  6. Restart Your Router and Device: Sometimes a simple restart can resolve connectivity issues. Power off your router, wait for about 30 seconds, and then power it back on. Do the same with your device.

  7. Ensure Network Compatibility: Verify that both your device and the router support the same WiFi standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac). If your router is too old or your device only supports newer standards, it might cause connectivity issues.

  8. Disable and Enable WiFi Adapter: Sometimes toggling the WiFi adapter on and off can reset its connection settings.

    • Windows: Go to “Device Manager”, find “Network adapters”, right-click on your WiFi adapter, and select “Disable device”. Wait a few seconds and then right-click to “Enable device”.
    • MacOS: Click the WiFi icon in the menu bar and turn WiFi off. Wait a few seconds and turn it back on.
    • Mobile Devices: Simply toggle the WiFi off and on in the settings.

  9. Interference Issues: Ensure there are no physical obstructions or sources of interference (like microwaves, cordless phones, or thick walls) between your device and the router. Hidden networks can be more finicky about signal strength.

  10. Router Configuration: Sometimes the issue might be with the router itself. Log into your router’s administration panel (often by typing 192.168.1.1 or similar in your browser) and verify that:

    • The SSID is correctly hidden but broadcast settings are properly configured.
    • The MAC address filtering is not preventing your device from connecting.
    • Check for firmware updates for your router.

If after all these steps you still can’t connect, there might be a deeper issue at play, like corrupted network settings on your device or a misconfiguration on the router. In such a case, resetting the network settings (usually found under network settings or preferences) could be a last resort.

By following these steps, you should hopefully be able to connect to your hidden WiFi network. If all else fails, consulting with a network professional might be the best course of action.

3

Hey, it’s annoying when you can’t get connected, right?

Sounds like @techchizkid has already laid down a great blueprint, but let’s go beyond that a little bit.

Here’s what you might wanna look into:

Router’s Access Control:

Hidden networks are kinda temperamental. One missed step can leave you scratching your head. Aside from checking if the SSID is hidden correctly, double-check if the MAC address filtering is on. If yes, make sure your device’s MAC address is whitelisted. Sometimes, routers stop unknown MAC addresses from connecting, which could be messing with your efforts.

Hidden in Plain Sight:

Though the steps for adding hidden networks are generally correct, different devices interpret hidden SSIDs differently. Your device might still be peeking for networks around. Toggle the setting for broadcasting the SSID quickly on your router, see if your device picks it up, then hide it back. Might sound counterintuitive, but it’s worth a shot.

Static IP Address:

If your device struggles to obtain an IP address automatically, trying to set it up manually can sometimes do the trick.

  • Windows: Go to “Network & Internet” settings, find your WiFi network, click on properties, and switch to “Manual IP”. Enter all necessary details like IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS manually.
  • MacOS: Head over to “System Preferences” → “Network” → “Wi-Fi” → “Advanced”. In the “TCP/IP” tab, you can set it to “Manual”.
  • Android/iOS: Most versions allow manual IP configurations under advanced network settings. Just remember to save those settings carefully.

Wi-Fi Analyzer Tools:

WiFi signal strength can dramatically impact connections on hidden networks. Here’s an alternative idea - use NetSpot (they’ve got a killer UI), to map the WiFi signal strengths around you. Even if you don’t find your network, seeing your device’s placement actively might help you determine the optimal spot for connectivity. You can check it out here: https://www.netspotapp.com.

Network Drivers – The Hidden Culprit:

@techchizkid touched on updating the drivers, but here’s a twist. Sometimes, the latest drivers aren’t necessarily the most stable. If you’ve recently updated and facing issues, rolling back to an earlier version could work miracles! Manufacturers’ sites often keep archives of older drivers.

DNS Server Settings:

Occasionally, using the default ISP DNS might create a bottleneck.

  • Windows/MacOS: Swap to public DNS like Google’s (8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare’s (1.1.1.1).
  • Android/iOS: Look in network advanced settings to make this adjustment.

Router’s WiFi Channel:

Interferences on a particular frequency band means you might benefit from switching WiFi channels.

  • Login to your router, navigate to WiFi settings, and change channels. Sometimes, the auto-selected channel is flooded.

Optimal Security:

Mismatch in security protocols between your device and the router often causes issues. Most like WPA2, but delve into the router settings to ensure there’s consistency. Try switching it temporarily to WPA/WPA2 mixed and seeing if it then allows a connection.

Network Cache:

Clearing the network cache can indeed smooth out underlying issues. On Windows, you do this via Command Prompt with:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

Lesser Known Tech Nugget:

Hidden networks don’t broadcast their presence actively, meaning your device might require more time and patience. Keep hitting “Connect”, sometimes you have to push a bit.

Finally, if after all these shenanigans your devices still give you the cold shoulder, consider resetting the network settings on your device. It’s a drastic measure, but it often gets rid of hidden gremlins.

This can be frustrating, but persistence usually pays off!

4

One thing that’s not always clear in these hidden WiFi issues is signal congestion. Even if the SSID is hidden, your device still has to fight through the noise of other networks and competing signals in your area. Hidden networks don’t broadcast their “Hey, I’m here!” message, so consider checking your WiFi environment.

You should try changing the channel on your router. Your router might be on a busy channel, and hidden SSIDs can be finicky about that. Log into your router’s admin settings (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and switch to a less crowded channel, typically channels 1, 6, or 11 on 2.4GHz, and any channel on the 5GHz band.

Another angle to look at is the encryption type. If your device and router are set up with different security protocols (like WPA versus WPA2), that mismatch could prevent a successful connection. Change the router’s settings to use the same protocol your device uses frequently, which should be WPA2 nowadays.

Interestingly, have you double-checked your device policies? Just in case you have any parental controls or device policies that limit which networks you can connect to, it’s worth verifying that as well. Sometimes the issue could be as simple as having a restrictive policy in place without realizing it.

Give a thought to updating your router’s firmware. Sometimes, outdated firmware can be the culprit for hidden SSIDs not connecting properly. It’s a simple step that many overlook. You can usually find the firmware update section in the router’s admin panel.

If you get stuck figuring out signal strength around your house, you might find NetSpot invaluable for this. It’s a brilliant tool that generates WiFi heatmaps showing where your signal is stronger or weaker. You can grab it at https://www.netspotapp.com. It’ll help you strategically place your device for the best signal.

This might sound a bit outside-the-box, but another approach is ensuring there’s no interference from other devices like microwaves or cordless phones which can mess with WiFi signals, especially if they operate on the same frequency band. Moving your router or those devices might help alleviate that problem.

Don’t forget, network drivers can be finicky too. I’d say if updating them doesn’t solve the problem, consider rolling back to a previous version that perhaps was more stable. This tip often flies under many radars, but sometimes the newest drivers aren’t necessarily the best.

Lastly, just as a heads up—make sure you’ve disabled any VPNs or firewall settings temporarily while you troubleshoot. Sometimes these security tools do their job a bit too well.

In case resetting everything else doesn’t help, as a last resort, resetting your network settings on your device could iron out any hidden misconfigurations. This drastic step can be a lifesaver but also an inconvenience since you’ll have to re-input all your WiFi details later.

Cheers, and may the WiFi gods be with you!