How do i connect to a wifi network

How do i connect to a wifi network

  • You can connect to Wi-Fi on an Android device through the "Connections" (or "Network & Internet") menu, which is in your Settings app.
  • If you're trying to connect to a Wi-Fi network that's locked, you'll need to have its password. Some networks may also require you to log in via your internet browser.
  • Once your Android phone or tablet has been connected to a Wi-Fi network, it'll automatically reconnect to that network whenever it's in range.
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If you have a cap on how much mobile data you can use, you should know how to connect your Android phone to a Wi-Fi network. Using Wi-Fi won't cost you anything, won't count towards your data cap, and will often give you faster internet speeds. 

Connecting your Android phone or tablet to Wi-Fi is a quick and easy process. And once your Android knows a network, it will store that network's password and automatically reconnect whenever you're in range.

Here's how to connect.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $899.99 at Best Buy)

How to connect to Wi-Fi on an Android device

1. Open your Android's Settings app by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and selecting it.

On most Android devices, you can find the Settings app by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Steven John/Business Insider

2. Tap the word "Connections."

On some Android devices, this tab may be labeled "Network & Internet." Steven John/Business Insider

3. In the new menu, tap "Wi-Fi" and then look under the "Available Networks" heading.

4. Select the Wi-Fi network that you want by tapping it. If it's locked, enter its password, and then tap "Connect."

Wi-Fi networks that are password protected will display a lock icon. Steven John/Business Insider

If you're trying to connect to the Wi-Fi at certain public locations — this includes sports arenas, airports, libraries, and more — you may need to also agree to the network's terms and conditions. You can usually do this by opening your internet browser and trying to load a new page, where you'll be automatically redirected to the Wi-Fi network's login page.

To disconnect from a Wi-Fi network, tap the name of the network you're currently connected to from the screen depicted above and tap "Forget."

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Steven John

Freelance Writer

Steven John is a freelance writer living near New York City by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, four in Boston, and the first 18 near DC. When not writing or spending time with his wife and kids, he can occasionally be found climbing mountains. His writing is spread across the web, and his books can be found at www.stevenjohnbooks.com.

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Connect wireless devices to your home WiFi network

There are hundreds of devices that you can connect to your WiFi, from smartphones and tablets to entertainment equipment, home assistants, and many other smart devices. Before starting, make sure the internet light on your modem is green. If not, you will need to troubleshoot your modem lights first. Then you need to locate the network settings on the modem and enter them into your device.

First, find your WiFi network name and password

Find the sticker label on the bottom or side of your modem. You will find the default network name (SSID) and password (key/passphrase) printed there. If you previously set a custom network name and password, you will use those to connect your devices, instead of the default settings.

How do i connect to a wifi network

How do i connect to a wifi network

Lost your WiFi name and password? If you previously customized your WiFi network login and lost or forgot the credentials, you can look them up in the modem settings, as long as you have your admin username and password. If you can't access your settings, you may need to reset the modem to its default settings, then log in using the information on the label.

CAUTION! Do not remove or lose your modem sticker, which includes your default admin username and password. These preset credentials cannot be retrieved, and your modem could become unusable without them. 

Next, select your network and connect using your WiFi password

Setup varies slightly by device, but most devices have a Wireless or WiFi Network Settings menu, where you will find a list of all the networks detected in your area.

General steps:

  1. Find your device's wireless settings menu and select "Enable" or "On" to turn WiFi on.
  2. Select your network (SSID) from the list, then enter the network key/passphrase when prompted and select "Connect" or "Join." 
  3. Optional: You can usually check a box to "connect automatically" or "remember" the network if you want your device to connect to that network without needing to enter your credentials every time. 
  4. Once you've entered the correct password, the device should connect within a moment. If it times out or you get a "can't connect" error, check out these tips to troubleshoot.

Tips:

  • The SSID printed on the modem label is the Network Name that will appear on your device network list.
  • The key/passphrase on the modem label is the password you will enter to connect your device to the network.

To connect more than one device to your WiFi network, you simply repeat the above steps for each device.

How do i connect to a wifi network

Finally, check WiFi status on your modem

Color of WiFi lightStatus

No color / off
Wireless is OFF

Flickering green
Wireless is ON, data is being transmitted

Solid green
Wireless is ON, no data is being transmitted

Amber
Wireless is temporarily disabled using the wireless schedule feature set up in the modem's settings*

* Not available on all modem models

How to remove a WiFi network from your device

Again, this may vary just slightly by device, but you can generally remove a saved network by going back into the same WiFi Network list you accessed before.

General steps:

  1. Open your device's list of active wireless networks. Make sure WiFi is turned on.
  2. Select the name of the network (SSID) you want to remove. 
  3. Long hold or click to open options for that network, then select "Forget" or "Remove" to remove the network. 


You can use this to remove all saved networks if your device is attempting to connect to the wrong network, or as a way to reset WiFi if you are unable to connect.

Troubleshooting tips

Try these suggestions if you are having trouble connecting:

  • Locate the wireless network settings without a sticker  
  • Try using the WPS button to connect certain devices
  • Is the WiFi light green? If not, you may need to enable wireless on your modem
  • Learn the WiFi basics at WiFi 101
  • Troubleshoot WiFi connection issues

Or for additional assistance, contact us. We're here to help.

Additional support and resources

Sometimes you may want additional guidance from the manufacturer on how to connect their device to WiFi or your modem. Here are some helpful links for some common device manufacturers: