Unable to connect to a hidden SSID

For the past week my MacBook Air will no longer connect automatically to our home network, which is a hidden SSID. I have had this computer for a long time and have never had this problem. I can manually get in to the network and use the internet but once I close the computer or restart it no longer finds the network. My husband thinks I have updated something but I do not remember receiving any updates other than for iTunes. Has anyone else have this problem? Is there a fix?

I had the exact same problem with my mini (the one in my sig) and my MacBook 2GHz both as soon as I upgraded to 10.5.8, now the only way to connect is as you say to do it manually ! The only way round I found after looking all over the net and here was to go back to 10.5.7 then everything was back to normal I know this is not what you want to hear but is was the only thing I got to work, sorry.
BTW the mini is now cabled as I got fed up of no WiFi !! & MacBook sold on.
custom mini

Similar Messages

  • Connection problem with hidden SSID

    At my work they have several Cisco Aironet 1200 Access points (AP). The AP have two SSID's. One SSID is visible and the other SSID is hidden. Both are secured with WPA TK-IP. Both work fine on laptops etc. I must use the second hidden SSID to connect to the internet.
    I have successfully installed/configured the hidden SSID on my iPhone 3G but it is an half working solution.
    Every time i want to use Wifi (hidden SSID), the iPhone 3G only uses 3G for internet.
    Only when I go to Settings on the iPhone 3G, --> Wifi and wait a few secs the hidden SSID is visible and the iPhone connects perfectly. Then I press the home-button and I can use for example Safari or Mail over Wifi.
    When I put the iPhone 3G to sleep en lets say use the iPhone 10 minutes later I only can use 3G for internet. No Wifi is visible.
    In other means, the iPhone don't start the hidden SSID Wifi connection by itself
    The only way to work with the hidden SSID is going true settings, --> Wifi. Then the iPhone 3G finds the hidden SSID directly. Then when the iPhone stays on i can use WiFi (with the hidden SSID).
    Is there an solution so that the iPhone 3G automatic connects tot the hidden SSID when I use the iPhone?
    (I have erased the network settings via Setup. This don't solve the problem. Have iPhone 3G with firmware 2.2, problem also with firmware 2.1)

    Have you tried it with other hidden wifi networks (if possible)? Does it properly auto-connect to visible wifi nets? I have 2 wifi nets configured on my iPhone, one hidden and the other not. The iphone remembers both and automatically connects as soon as I walk close enough.
    My 2 networks are configured with WPA2, MAC filtering, and reserved IP addresses for each device (no IP renewals).
    I don't know specifically how the iPhone works but maybe it's trying to remember a previous IP and its causing a conflict because the work wifi is using DHCP. I also heard MAC filters on routers/switches can cause problems (though mine doesn't). I'd suggest asking some IT guys at your workplace how their security set up.

  • "Unable to connect to hidden network" - Losing wireless connection on 1 PC in network - EA4500

    We have a two-month old EA4500 router.  Over the last couple of days one of our wireless pc's (running Windows 7) has occasionally been losing connection to our wireless network.  Troubleshooting indicates that it is "unable to connect to the hidden network (our network name)"    Our network should not be hidden, and our 2 other wireless devices are not experiencing this issue.  When the disconnect occurs, the only way we are able to reconnect the PC is to disable and reenable the wireless adapter through device manager, or pull the adapter out of the USB and re-insert it.  (The USB wireless adapter is also new - only a month old and is also a Linksys ).  Does anyone have an idea what could be causing this issue, and what we can try to fix it?  It's getting very annoying.  Thanks!

    There are times that these USB adapters (especially those Wireless Network Adapters) requires more power and they can't draw enough power once plugged in to a USB hub or USB extension cables. Can you try to plug it in directly to a USB port at the back of your computer? So that the adapter would draw enough power from the motherboard.
    If everyone needs to believe in something, I believe I'll have another beer..

  • Ipad will not connect to hidden ssid network!

    Hello,
    my iPad will not connect to my hidden ssid network.
    If i enable ssid broadcasting it will work!
    But if i disable broadcasting it will not connect again anytime!
    What could be the problem? The wi-fi network should be saved, or?
    Florian

    Ja alles!
    Er erkennt ja das Netzwerk solang die SSID gesendet wird!
    Das möcht ich aber einfach dauerhaft nicht!
    Sobald ich im Router das Senden der SSID wieder deaktiviere verliert das iPad
    die Verbindung nach kurzer Zeit!
    Auch ein reconnect funktioniert nicht mehr, als ob er sich das Netzwerk bzw. die ssid nicht merkt!

  • Unable to connect to WPA after updates

    I'm trying to connect to a WPA2 AP with hidden ssid via wpa_supplicant (tried NM also, don't say that please).
    I have two machines:
    1) rt61pci driver, wifi works, can connect to open APs, can't connect to WPA2 hidden ssid AP
    This machine used to be able to connect to the AP sometime in Feb I think was the latest time I tried. (it connects via giga ethernet since then)
    While installing machine #2, I've re-tried connecting with this machine using the exact same script, wpa_supp conf, etc, I get the same result as machine #2.
    2) iwl3945 driver, as #1, can connect to open APs, can't connect to WPA2 AP with hidden ssid
    I've recently installed this machine: here's what happened:
    I installed it, I could connect, ran pacman -Syu: could no longer connect
    After a LOT of trying out things, I got the idea to try to boot the arch 02.09 LiveCD (from which I installed): this worked, I could connect.
    So I guess this is a regression somewhere.
    I've tried downgrading wpa_supplicant: the latest version in the repo is 0.6.9, I've downgraded to 0.5.11 (which is on the LiveCD also), I still can't connect, so I guess the problem is somewhere else.
    Exactly what happens is that:
    - wpa_supplicant finds the AP (shows empty ssid string and i've confirmed the mac addr)
    - wpa_supplicant goes over all APs in WPA and non-WPA modes
    - when going over the right AP it discards it with "skip - SSID mismatch"
    - when finished, it says "No suitable AP found."
    I've tried setting the ssid in both hex and string, tried setting the psk key in both string and wpa_passphrase format (is that hex?), no change.
    I believe other people are having this sort of trouble, I found a few topics describing very lightly what could be my exact came problem (about WPA AP with hidden ssid).
    Does anyone know of a fix for this? Or a way I can further debug it?
    Edit: some more info I missed out:
    My AP uses WPA1,2 with a AES PSK.
    I've also tried specifying the ap ssid and bssid via iwconfig before running wpa_supplicant.
    I've also tried setting the bssid in the network block of the config file.
    Here's my wpa.conf:
    ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant
    ctrl_interface_group=wheel
    ap_scan=1
    update_config=1
    network={
    scan_ssid=1
    #ssid=<hexSsid>
    ssid="myssid"
    #psk="myStringKey"
    psk=<key generated by wpa_passphrase here>
    Last edited by Frantic (2009-06-01 17:03:02)

    Frantic wrote:Well, I don't think it's an option when I take my laptop somewhere to ask the person to turn on his ssid broadcast because the "so cool" laptop can't connect to it otherwise
    I wasn't aware this was not on your own network. That of course narrows down your options considerably.
    Please don't hijack the thread on this, but by hiding the ssid vs just setting a obfuscated name lets this decision pass as a network security and not as a social or privacy-related concern (which it really is).
    I don't see in the slightest how I would be hijacking your thread. Hijacking a thread means asking your own question in someone else's thread. I am merely pointing out it might help during troubleshooting, and that it is frequently known to cause problems with Linux.
    And no - hidden SSIDs aren't a 'security' feature. It's not because you can't see it scanners can't see it or intercept the SSID in traffic . I'll leave it at that.
    Also - and this might be relevant to your problem - I found this article which states
    It's a violation of the 802.11 specification to keep your SSID hidden; the 802.11i specification amendment (which defines WPA2, discussed later) even states that a computer can refuse to communicate with an access point that doesn't broadcast its SSID.
    And, for the incredulous:
    And, even if you think your SSID is hidden, it really isn't.
    Maybe the IPW3495 driver's 802.11 implementation got tightened, have you tried using an older kernel?

  • [E51] Where's my hidden SSID ?

    Hi,
    From the home page of the phone, it's possible to activate WLAN networks lookup.Several SSD are displayed, but not mine because it's hidden.
    So, I've correctly setup my hidden SSID in the configuration menu, but now my SSID is never displayed on the previous said WLAN list.
    How can I connect to the hidden SSID I've configured ?
    Thanks.
    Solved!
    Go to Solution.

    lets see if this can help u
    http://wiki.forum.nokia.com/index.php/How_to_retrieve_the_SSID_and_BSSID_using_WLAN_INFO_API
    /discussions/board/message?board.id=connectivity&thread.id=11459
    /discussions/board/message?board.id=connectivity&thread.id=14064
    Articles posted courtesy engadget
    keep us updated about the progress.... if u like wat I have to offer then click on khudos.

  • 2nd Gen Touch & WiFi & Hidden SSID networks

    I have tried to read all of the (many, many) existing threads on WiFi issues with the new iPod Touch -- frankly this ought to be a HUGE embarrassment to Apple.
    Let me add to the list of problems -- the many strikes against this otherwise quite lovable device:
    It doesn't play well with networks that use hidden SSID, so-called "closed" networks. All of the known existing problems with Touch 2Gen and ordinary WiFi networks (failure to join automatically, needing to have the device reset before joining, needing to turn off/on/off/on the wifi on the device before joining, etc. etc. etc.) -- are replicated and worsened when attempting to join and remain connected to a hidden-SSID network (yes, even one running on Apple's own wireless router!).
    The worst is that, very often, one has to repeat going through the entire process of entering the network name and password -- as if the network had been 'forgotten.' (Although, it can be proved the iPod hasn't 'forgotten' the network, as the device will remember details such as a Static IP to associate with the network -- it just forgets to join it in the first place!)
    Apple, Apple, Apple!
    Are you determined to make me stop buying your products in the future?
    Do you intend to fix the very buggy WiFi on this device?

    Have you (or anyone who replied on this thread) actually opened a support case with Apple?
    I just got a new 2nd Gen touch a couple of weeks ago and have been having the same problems described by you and the others here in my office (which uses a hidden SSID + 128bit WEP). Usually, the connection is lost when the unit comes out of sleep and it won't come back until I do a reset of the network settings and re-enter all the connection parameters.
    I have 2 other co-workers with 2nd gen units and they have the exact same problems (worse actually, since they are both farther from the nearest access point).
    There are 2 other folks here who have 1st gen units and neither one has ever had any problems here in the building. So this does appear to be a 2nd gen only issue.
    I installed the 2.2 update which didn't help or hurt, but I was having the problems with the older 2.1.2 software.
    It would be encouraging to at least hear from someone that Apple has acknowledged this is a real problem. If there is some sort of workaround, that would be even more encouraging.
    Thanks,
    Mark Edington

  • Apple TV unable to connect to hidden network

    In have a new third generation AppleTV.  My router is set ordinarily not to broadcast the SSID.  Despite many attempts to enter the details manually, my AppleTV is unable to connect to the router whilst the SSID is hidden.  Once I change the settings on the router to broadcast the SSID, the Apple TV connects and all is fine.  I have tried restarting both the router and the AppleTV, which makes no difference.  All other Apple devices are fine with the SSID hidden.  Any ideas please? 

    That is a pretty common issue when selecting to hide your SSID.  The solution is to not hide it.  That is not really giving you any real extra security anyway.  If you really feel you need extra security just enable MAC address filtering.  That plus encryption will keep out anyone that is trying to brute force their way in.

  • Macbook air is unable to connect on hidden wireless network

    Dear users and support,
    I have just bought my macbook air with lion os already installed, but I am unable to connect to hidden wireless network. Is there any trick to fix it? even though I am typing the name and password it's unable to login.
    Please advice.
    tks,

    Back up all data before making any changes.
    Step 1
    Take all the applicable steps in this support article.  
    Step 2
    If you're running OS X 10.8.4 or later, run Wireless Diagnostics and take the remedial steps suggested in the summary that appears, if any. The program also generates a large file of information about your system, which would be used by Apple Engineering in case of a support incident. Don't post the contents here.
    Step 3
    This step will erase all your settings in the Network preference pane. Make a note of them before you begin, and recreate them afterwards. It may be helpful to take screenshots of the preference pane.
    Triple-click the line below on this page to select it:
    /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration
    Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select
    Services ▹ Reveal
    from the contextual menu.* A folder should open with an item named "SystemConfiguration" selected. Move the selected item to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator password.
    *If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C). In the Finder, select
    Go ▹ Go to Folder...
    from the menu bar, paste into the box that opens (command-V). You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.
    Reset the System Management Controller.

  • Firmware 7.4.1 stops 11n TC  extended 5G mode from connecting 2 hidden SSID

    Guys if you have any clues please post. Seems the new 7.4.1 firmware has a defect in it that causes an  TC time capsule (timecapsule) that is in extended wireless mode @ 5G from connecting to a 5G network that is hidden (closed network). TC does NOT join the hidden | closed 5GHz network
    Others have reported or speculated this behaviour and I can from from this is the case.
    My config amongst the older 2.5Ghz 802.11g devices (5 of them) is a separate 5Ghz network on the same subnet as:
    • MAIN  airport extreme base station 802.11n connected to ADSL in 5Hgz frequency + an
    •  apple TV connected to 5Ghz +
    •  time capsule 1TB connected *that WAS connected 5Ghz at firmware v7.3.2*
    this network is hidden (close network is ticked) | ssid is NOT BROADCAST.
    tests:
    • works all as advertised when network is not hidden (exposed) - the SSID is broadcast
    • TIME CAPSULE DOES NOT connect to a _hidden 5Ghz network (ssid is nOT broadcast | "closed network" is ticked_.
    I used a hint in a thread that stated to expose the hidden network (broadcast the ssid | untick closed network) and then reapply the 7.4.1 firmware - +naturally this does not resolve this issue+.
    any ideas on resoving this that DONT include faling back to V7.3.2 (As this is unstable anyway) or swapping around the AEBS amd the TC (which I will try later).
    w

    Guys, *I will retract this post*. My TC in bridge mode now connects to my hidden 5G network.
    THere appears to be no defect.
    I have no idea what the magic or logic is behind it but after giving up on it last night, +the fairies+ had visited an the Time Capsule was flickering away madly and the TIMEMACHINE backups were running fine.
    Beats me.
    I beleive that there is some latency required(?) by the V7.4.1 firware update in such a circumstance to synchronise wi the ain base stations.
    I tried this again and can confirm the TC in my case takes 10s of minsutes to come back in his hidden network. SO I wont be messing wi this too much.
    issue closed and left for reference
    w

  • No auto-connect to WLAN with hidden SSID

    I work in Infrastructure Services at the IBM Zurich Research Laboratory.
    Across IBM, there is a standard setup for wireless LAN access. There’s a public WLAN that provides access only to the internet; and there’s a private WLAN that provides access to both the internet and the corporate intranet. The private WLAN requires authentication via WPA/WPA2 Enterprise using LEAP or a certificate, and has a hidden SSID.
    Both WLANs are served by the same access points.
    The iPhone and iPod Touch do not automatically reconnect to the private WLAN with the hidden SSID.
    Each time the iPhone wakes from sleep, the user must connect manually to the private WLAN. The user must go into Settings and then Wi-Fi, wait for the private WLAN to appear in the list (there’s always a delay) and then tap on it. Also, if one opens Mail or Safari application before connecting manually, the the blue pop-up list of available networks will not include the private WLAN with the hidden SSID.
    This is a major inconvenience, because it adds half a minute or more to each operation that requires network access. Checking one’s email—something that should normally take no more than ten seconds—instead takes a minute or more, depending on how quickly one manages to connect.
    This bug also results in needless expense, because network operations that should go over the local WLAN often go instead over the mobile phone network.
    The inability of the iPhone/iPod Touch to reconnect automatically to networks with hidden SSID has been a problem since the original iPhone came out.
    This problem is an obstacle preventing wider adoption of the iPhone within IBM.

    Anyone have an update on this ?
    I have a new 3GS with 3.1.2 and have the same issue. I haven't tried the factory reset yet, but from this link;
    http://l00pback.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/iphone-3-1-bug-no-auto-reconnect-to-hid den-ssid-wireless-networks/
    “Work around”: Not really a workaround, but a sightly less frustrating way of reconnecting… when in range of the network… recreate the network by entering the SSID and leave out any of the security stuff then click Join. The join will fail (for obvious reasons), but will then “remind” the phone that that network exists and will then connect using the previously configured settings."
    takes some of the pain away.

  • IPOD touch OS 3.1.2 can't connect to wifi with hidden SSID

    This isn't so much a question, rather than a complaint. It seems like other people have the same issue. I have a Linksys router configured with hidden SSID and encryption. My newly purchased iTouch can't re-connect to it after I cycled the wifi settings (or cycle the power). I have about a dozen other wifi enabled devices, some as old as 5 years, that have no problem reconnecting to the hidden network. I find it unbelieveable that this fancy new OS can't support something as common as hidden SSIDs. Now I have no choice but to broadcast the SSID which is not something that I wanted to do. I hope Apple will fix this eventually.

    I think I may have figured out part of the rhyme, but the reason is still bewildering. Nobody is stating the router they are using. I figured out a clue to this. I was using the D-Link DIR-825 router with iPhone os 3.1.2 and had no trouble at all with my hidden SSID. Two weeks ago I purchased the Linksys WRT610N, and the iPhone will no longer automatically connect to the router unless I enable broadcast SSID. So why did the iPhone connect to D-Link and not Linksys automatically? There's got to be a difference in the way these companies are treating hidden SSID. The iPhone and iPod Touch will recognize one and not the other. Now it makes a little more sense as to why some people are ok and others not.
    What's more peculiar is that my laptop and wireless bridge both work fine with the hidden SSID from both routers. It's only the iPhone that is being finicky.

  • TC drops wifi connection with hidden SSID on restart/logout?

    All in all I'm new to the Mac family as of January and have only one complaint...holds true to the Airport functionality in Leopard. I experienced the Airport/2Wire DSL gateway dropping wifi signal I found plenty of on the support forums.
    I figured buying the TC would solve the problem yet it still is a problem if I hide the SSID? My XP PC connects fine whether hidden or broadcast, in fact I had an easier time connecting and using TC via my work PC then with my MBP? I see and connect via wifi no problems in XP parallels or my work PC, hard drive connects as well. Yet as soon as I hide the SSID after I get my MBP connected, when I logout or restart I can not find or even search for the network. I have to enable/broadcast again to get the MBP to connect. Once I hide it I'm still good until I restart or logout of any of the accounts?

    vzw-user wrote:
    Hello:
    I just purchased a new Motorola DROID 2 Global, and am having difficulty connecting it to my home WiFi network. My router is a DLINK 655 router, which I have set to 802.11n only with WPA2 encryption and I do not broadcast the SSID. I have gone through the setup process on the DROID 2 by entering the SSID on the phone providing my password etc. The phone keeps attempting to connect to the WiFi network, but just cannot do so. I have a Lenovo laptop which has no problem connecting to the network at the same time, and I have connect it many times.
    If I change the router setting to broadcast the SSID, the phone will connect. But as soon as I hide it again, the connection will drop. The saved network setting on the phone will show "Not in range" even though I am standing right next to the router, and the phone connected to it just a minute ago when the SSID was being broadcast.
    Has anyone else experienced this problem? Is there a solution to this problem or is this a known limitation of the phone?
    A soft reset may resolve your WiFi connectivity concerns. Please remove the battery from your phone while is ON. Re-insert battery after 10 seconds. Power phone ON and allow it to register applications.

  • Unable to establish connection to a different ssid in the same network

    Not sure if you guys can help me on this. Been having this problem on trying to establish connection on a new ssid thats is to be implemented.
    It have no problem getting a connection on SSID 'A' but just refuse to connect to SSID 'B'(which are both on the same network). Generally only abt 5-10 notebook are having this problem all using diiferent brand notebook(Acer,IBM,HP).
    I had check the hardware settings inluding updating all the wifi drivers and found that all settings are ok but problem still there.
    I had trying looking in at the logs using the following command in the access point(a mix of 1130 and 1200 series):
    debug radius authentication
    debug dot11 aaa authenticator process
    debug dot11 aaa authenticator state-machine
    and found that it seems to keep restarting the whole link establishment when it show a
    " RADIUS: Session-Timeout [27] 6 60"
    I tried to make changes to the timeout session at cisco ACS server but the session time set given more than enough time....
    At this point i am sure the problem lies either in AP or ACS but not sure which.
    Any advice on how to go abt with this problem.

    It is only affect abt 10-15 laptop users. The ssid are assign to different vlans and had tried to delete all existing ssid setting and recreate the ssid 'b' as its only ssid.
    I got 2 of the user to try it on a spare laptop and it work. Thus eliminating window domain account as the cause of the problem.
    Here the whole session process, from the debugging log(posted previous post) in the ap(hope its not too confusing)
    1)From the AP side i can see that the laptop is communicating to the AP and AP to cisco ACS.
    2)Cisco ACS receives the request and reply with a challenge to the laptop via the ap. Laptop reply the challenge with login info.
    3)Its from the AP to cisco ACS where i feel the problem lies where the ap sent the info to cisco ACS, i am not sure if the problem lies with the ACS or the AP.
    Now i am left with its either the window OS(meaning rebuilding the whole OS, which i would like to avoid), hardware(which i find unlightly as other hardware with the same build and drivers have no problem.) or the AP and cisco ACS.
    I am now piling thru the cisco online documents, tediously trying to find bits and pieces of clues.
    Really hope you guys can help out on on this and thanks in advance.

  • E51 Wlan Hidden SSID

    We have lately purchase a couple of N95 and a couple E51 handsets. At the office we have a Linksys 4400N Access Point configured for 802.11G with WPA and hidden SSID.
    The N95 handsets are able to connect with no problems whatsoever. The E51 however simply won't connect.
    I tried taking the E51 home and connect it to my Airport Extreme 802.11G/N with the same results. At home I also have a hidden ssid so I tried to unhide it, with the ssid visible the E51 connects immediately. Hiding the ssid again (and changing the setting to hidden on the e51) and the handset is again unable to connect!
    How is it that the N95 is able to connect and the E51 fails so miserably? I'd really prefer NOT to have to change the WiFi settings just because of a couple of handsets. Or simply say that for E51 users it just won't work.
    This issue is really bugging me, searching the net has only resulted in few hits on this specific issue. Here's hoping that it is I who's making some kind of mistake (I doubt that however since I configured the N95 and the E51 side by side).

    I was able to connect nokia e51 to WLAN with hidden SSID (I use WPA-PSK with AES).
    Just define the access point first and choose "Network status" as hidden.
    Here is short instruction from the manual:
    "Connection > Access points.
    2. Select Options > New access point to create a
    new access point, or select an existing access point
    from the list and then Options > Duplicate access
    point to use the access point as a basis for the new
    one.
    3. Define the following settings.
    • Connection name — Enter a descriptive name
    for the connection.
    • Data bearer — Select Wireless LAN.
    • WLAN network name — To enter the service
    set identifier (SSID), that is, the name that
    identifies the specific WLAN, select Enter
    manually. To select the network from the
    WLANs in range, select Search for networks.
    • Network status — Select Hidden if the network
    you are connecting to is hidden or Public if it is
    not hidden.
    • WLAN network mode — If you select
    Infrastructure, devices can communicate with
    each other and with wired LAN devices through
    a WLAN access point. If you select Ad-hoc,
    devices can send and receive data directly with
    each other, and no WLAN access point is needed.
    WLAN security mode — You must select the
    same security mode that is used in the WLAN
    access point. If you select WEP (wired equivalent
    privacy), 802.1x, or WPA/WPA2 (Wi-Fi protected
    access), you must also configure the relevant
    additional settings. See the device help for more
    information.
    • WLAN security settings — Edit the security
    settings for the selected security mode.
    • Homepage — Enter the web address of the page
    you want to display as the home page when you
    use this access point."
    BR,
    W.

Maybe you are looking for