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Wi-Fi Tutorial: How to Connect to a Wireless Network

Connect to Wi-Fi on Windows and Mac

By Melanie Uy Melanie Uy Writer Queens College Harvard University Extension School Former Lifewire writer Melanie Uy has 5+ years' experience writing about consumer-oriented technology and is an expert telecommuter. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 4, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

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Expand Jump to a Section What You Need to Connect Step-by-Step: Connect to Wi-Fi on Windows Extra: Stay Safe Using Wi-Fi Fix Wi-Fi Connection Problems Connecting to a wireless network or a public Wi-Fi hotspot is a pretty straightforward process, but there are some slight differences between the various operating systems. Instructions in this article apply to Windows and Mac computers. There are separate instructions for connecting to Wi-Fi on Android and iPhone devices.

What You Need to Connect to Wi-Fi

All modern smartphones, tablets, and computers come with a built-in wireless network adapter. If you're using an older device, or if your internal Wi-Fi adapter is broken, you can purchase a USB Wi-Fi adapter. If the network is secured with a password, or the administrators have hidden the network name (SSID) from being broadcast, you'll also need to find out that information to get connected.

How Connect to a Wi-Fi Network on Windows

Select the wireless network icon in the taskbar. It either looks like two computers or a set of bars in the lower-right corner of the screen. The wireless symbol is in the upper-right corner of the screen on Macs. Select the wireless network you wish to connect with. Select Connect. On Macs and some versions of Windows, you will automatically connect when you click on the network. Enter the security key if the wireless network is encrypted (with WEP, WPA or WPA2). This will be stored for next time, so you'll only have to enter it once. When it says that you're connected, open a web browser and visit a website to confirm that you can access the internet. If you're connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot, you may be prompted to open your browser to accept the networks' terms and conditions.

How to Stay Safe Using Wi-Fi

To mitigate the risks of using an unsecured wireless network, make sure you have a firewall installed and turned on before connecting to a public hotspot. You should also have the latest antivirus updates and operating system patches. On Windows, you can assign network location types to automatically set up the appropriate security level.

How to Fix Wi-Fi Connection Problems

If you have trouble connecting to a Wi-Fi network, there are several things you can check depending on your specific type of issue: If you can't find any wireless networks, make sure you have Wi-Fi enabled. If your wireless signal keeps dropping, you may need to get closer to the access point. If you have a wireless connection but no internet access, then the modem or router may need to be rebooted. If you have forgotten the password to your home network, your wireless security key may be found on the bottom of your router if you didn't change the defaults when setting up your network. Mac users can view forgotten passwords in the Keychain Access app. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Connect a Router to the Internet How to Fix a "Failed to Obtain IP Address" Android Error How to Connect Chromecast to Hotel Wi-Fi What to Do When Windows 11 Can't Connect to a Network Connecting a PC to a Wireless Home Network How to Turn Your Windows Laptop Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot Can't Connect to the Internet? Try These 10 Tips How to Fix it When Chromebook Won't Connect to Wi-Fi How to Measure Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength How to Encrypt Your Wireless Network When and How to Turn Off Wi-Fi on Your Devices Share an Internet Connection in Windows How to Use Chromecast Without Wi-Fi How to Connect Google Home to Wi-Fi How to Fix It When There's No Internet Connection How to Fix an Xbox That Won't Connect to Wi-Fi Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies