My wireless network in the list of available networks?

Your wireless router might not be set to broadcast its network ID (SSID). If this is the case you won’t see the network when viewing available networks. Enabling the router to broadcast its network ID makes the network visible to any user within range of the network.

To check your wireless router and enable the option to broadcast the network ID (SSID), refer to the documentation that came with the wireless router or follow these basic steps:

1. Connect your computer to the network using a network cable, start Internet Explorer, and type the IP address for your wireless router (for example, 192.168.1.1 or 172.16.0.0).

2. Enter the user name and password to access the router settings. The documentation will contain the default user name and password.

3. On the wireless router page, look for a Wireless Settings option. Depending on the router manufacturer, this might be a tab, an icon or just an option in a task pane.

4. On the Wireless Settings page, look for an option to Enable SSID Broadcast or Wireless SSID Broadcast. Click the radio button or place a check in the box to enable this option, then save your router settings.

Note

If you can't find the option to enable broadcasting, check the documentation that came with the router or contact the router manufacturer.

How do I connect to a hidden wireless network?

A hidden wireless network is a wireless network that isn't broadcasting its network ID (SSID). For more information about the risks of connecting to hidden networks, see What are the risks of connecting to a hidden network?

If you still want to connect to a hidden wireless network despite the risks, you'll need to gather some information from the wireless router first. Use the following basic steps to gather that information. You can also check the documentation that came with the wireless router or contact the router manufacturer.

1. Gather the following information:

Ø      Network ID (SSID), the name that would normally appear in the list of available networks.

Ø      Security type (WPA, WPA2, WEP, or 802.1X).

Ø      Encryption type.

Ø      Security key

2. Then follow the steps below for the operating system you are using.

Windows 7

To connect to a hidden network in Windows® 7, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button , click Control Panel, click Network and Internet, click Network and Sharing Center, and then click Set up a new connection or network.

2. Click Manually connect to a wireless network, and then click Next.

3. Type the network name (network ID, or SSID).

4. Choose the security type, or, if your wireless network doesn't have security enabled, select No authentication (Open).

5. Choose the encryption type. If your security type is WPA2-PSK(AES), select AES. Otherwise, leave the default value selected by Windows 7.

6. Type the security key. For WEP security, use the WEP key. For WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK (AES), use the preshared key.

7. To automatically connect to the network each time you start Windows, select the Start this connection automatically and Connect even if the network is not broadcasting check boxes.

8. Click Next, and then click to close the connection verification window.

Windows Vista

To connect to a hidden network in Windows Vista®, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button , click Control Panel, and then click View network status and tasks.

2. In the task pane, click Manage wireless networks.

3. Click Add, and then click Manually create network profile.

4. Type the network name (network ID, or SSID).

5. Choose the security type (WEP, WPA, WPA2).

6. Choose the encryption type (AES or PSK).

7. Type the security key or passphrase.

8. To connect automatically to this network, select the Start this connection automatically check box.

9. To connect to a network that doesn’t broadcast, select the Connect if the network is not broadcasting check box.

Windows XP

To connect to a hidden network in Windows® XP, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.

2. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.

3. Click the Wireless Networks tab, make sure the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box is selected, and then click Add.

4. Type the network name (SSID), and then select the Connect even if this network is not broadcasting check box.

5. Select your network authentication type. Select Open for no security or for WEP encryption, or select WPA or WPA2 if applicable.

6. Select your data encryption type.

7. Clear the The key is provided for me automatically check box.

8. Type and confirm your network key (security key or passkey), and then click OK.

9. Your network should now be listed in Preferred networks list.

10. Click OK to save the settings.