WiFi & Networking

How to Connect to WiFi — Every Device (Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Smart TV)

Published: April 16, 2026 10 min read IT Cares

Quick Answer

Click the WiFi icon (bottom-right on Windows, top-right on Mac, in Settings on phones), select your network name from the list, type the password, and click Connect. If you do not see a WiFi icon, make sure WiFi is enabled in your device settings. For devices without a keyboard (Smart TV, printer), use the WPS button on your router for a password-free connection.

Whether you just got a new device, moved to a different location, or your connection simply dropped, knowing how to connect to WiFi is one of the most fundamental tech skills in 2026. The process varies just enough between platforms that it can feel confusing when you switch devices — or when someone calls you asking for help.

This guide covers every device and every connection method: standard password entry, WPS button pairing, QR code sharing, and manual hidden SSID setup. Each device section is self-contained — jump directly to the one you need.

Device types covered

30 sec

Average time to connect

Password-free methods

How to Connect to WiFi — Device by Device

Windows 11

WiFi is managed from the taskbar in the bottom-right corner of your screen.

Click the WiFi icon in the bottom-right taskbar (it looks like a signal arc). If you see no icon, click the small arrow to expand the system tray.
The Quick Settings panel opens. Click the WiFi button once to enable WiFi if it is off, then click the arrow (chevron) next to it to see available networks.
A list of nearby WiFi networks appears. Click your network name (SSID).
Check "Connect automatically" if you want Windows to remember this network.
Click Connect, type your WiFi password, and click Next.
Windows connects within a few seconds and shows "Connected" beneath the network name.

Windows 10

The interface is slightly different from Windows 11 but the path is the same.

Click the WiFi icon in the bottom-right taskbar. If WiFi is off, you may see a globe icon instead — click it.
A flyout panel slides out from the right showing all nearby networks.
Click your network name in the list.
Check "Connect automatically" if desired.
Click Connect and enter your WiFi password when prompted.
Click Next. Windows asks whether to allow your PC to be discoverable — select Yes for home networks or No for public networks.

Mac (macOS)

On any Mac running macOS Ventura, Sonoma, or Sequoia, WiFi is in the menu bar at the top-right.

Click the WiFi icon (signal arc) in the top-right menu bar.
If WiFi is off, toggle the switch at the top of the dropdown to turn it On.
The dropdown lists nearby networks. Click your network name.
A dialog box appears — enter your WiFi password.
Check "Remember this network" if you want to auto-connect in the future.
Click Join. The WiFi icon in the menu bar fills in to indicate a successful connection.

iPhone & iPad (iOS / iPadOS)

WiFi settings on iPhone and iPad are always in the Settings app — not accessible directly from the home screen icon.

Open the Settings app (grey gear icon).
Tap WiFi near the top of the list.
Make sure the WiFi toggle at the top is green (On).
Under "Other Networks", your iPhone lists all nearby networks. Tap your network name.
Enter your WiFi password and tap Join.
A checkmark and the WiFi arc icon in the status bar confirm you are connected.

Android (Samsung, Google Pixel, and others)

The exact menu path varies slightly by manufacturer. Samsung uses "Connections"; stock Android uses "Network & internet".

Open Settings (gear icon).
Tap Connections (Samsung) or Network & internet (Pixel / stock Android).
Tap WiFi and make sure the toggle is On.
Tap your network name from the list of available networks.
Enter the password and tap Connect.
The WiFi icon appears in the status bar at the top of the screen when connected.

Smart TV (Samsung, LG, Sony)

All major Smart TV brands follow the same basic path through the Settings menu. Remote navigation replaces keyboard and mouse.

Press the Home or Menu button on your remote.
Navigate to Settings (gear icon — usually in the top-right or bottom of the home screen).
Go to General (Samsung) / All Settings (LG) / Network (Sony) → Network or WiFi.
Select Wireless or WiFi as your connection type.
Your TV scans and lists nearby networks. Select your network name.
Use the on-screen keyboard to enter the WiFi password, then select Connect or Done.

Tip for Samsung TVs: Use the SmartThings app on your phone — it can transfer your WiFi credentials to the TV wirelessly so you do not have to type on the on-screen keyboard.

Chromebook (ChromeOS)

ChromeOS has the fastest WiFi access of any desktop platform — two clicks from the status area.

Click the clock in the bottom-right corner to open the Quick Settings panel.
Click the WiFi icon in the panel. If WiFi is off, click it once to enable it.
A list of nearby networks appears. Click your network name.
Enter the WiFi password and click Connect.
The WiFi arc icon in the status bar confirms the connection.

Linux (GNOME / KDE)

Most modern Linux distributions use NetworkManager, which provides a system tray icon regardless of your desktop environment.

GNOME (Ubuntu, Fedora): Click the network icon in the top-right status bar → select your network name → enter password → click Connect.
KDE Plasma: Click the network icon in the bottom-right system tray → click Connect to WiFi → select network → enter password.
If no GUI is available, use the terminal: nmcli dev wifi connect "NetworkName" password "YourPassword"

Printer WiFi Setup

Connecting a printer to WiFi depends on whether it has a touchscreen or not.

Touchscreen printer (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother): Press the WiFi or Wireless button → go to Settings → Wireless Setup Wizard → select your network → enter password using the on-screen keyboard.
No display (button-only printers): Use the WPS method below — press WPS on the router then the WiFi/WPS button on the printer within 2 minutes.
After connecting, add the printer to Windows via Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device.
On Mac: System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer.

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Three Ways to Connect Without Typing the Password

Method 1: WPS Button (Works on Most Devices Except iPhone and Mac)

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) lets you connect a device to your router with the push of a button — no password required. This is the easiest method for devices with awkward keyboards, like printers, Smart TVs, and Android phones.

Locate the WPS Button on Your Router

The WPS button is usually on the back or side of your router, labeled WPS or marked with a symbol that looks like two curved arrows forming a circle. Press and hold it for 2 seconds until the WPS indicator light flashes.

Trigger WPS on Your Device (Within 2 Minutes)

On Windows: click the WiFi icon → click your network → instead of typing a password, click Connect using a security key instead → then press the WPS button on the router if you have not already. On Android: Settings → WiFi → tap the three-dot menu → WPS push button. On printers and Smart TVs: look for a WPS option in the wireless settings menu.

Wait for the Connection

The router and device shake hands automatically. The WPS light on the router stops flashing and stays solid when the connection is established. The whole process takes under 30 seconds.

    Security note: WPS has known vulnerabilities (the WPS PIN attack). If security is a concern, disable WPS on your router after connecting your devices and use standard password authentication instead.
  

Method 2: QR Code Sharing (iOS and Android)

Both iPhone and Android can generate a QR code for your current WiFi network. A guest scans it and connects instantly — without you ever telling them the password.

Generate the QR Code (iPhone)

Go to Settings → WiFi. Tap your connected network name. Tap the QR code icon (bottom of the screen on iOS 16+). A QR code appears. Have your guest point their camera at it.

Generate the QR Code (Android)

Go to Settings → Connections → WiFi. Tap your connected network. Tap QR code or the share icon. The QR code appears on screen. On Samsung devices, there may also be a "Share" button that sends the password directly to nearby Android phones via Wi-Fi Direct.

Scan with Any Device

iPhone: open the Camera app and point it at the QR code → tap the notification banner to join. Android: open the Camera app or Google Lens → point at the code → tap the WiFi connection prompt. The device joins the network without the user ever seeing or typing the password.

Method 3: Connect to a Hidden WiFi Network (Manual SSID)

Some routers hide their network name (SSID) so it does not appear in the list of nearby networks. To connect, you must add it manually. You need to know three things: the exact network name, the security type (usually WPA2 or WPA3), and the password.

Windows 11 / 10: Add a Hidden Network

Go to Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → Manage known networks → Add network. Type the exact Network name (SSID), set Security type to WPA2-Personal (or whatever your router uses), enter the password, and click Save. Windows connects automatically when in range.

Mac: Join Other Network

Click the WiFi icon in the menu bar → click Other Networks → Other (or "Join Other Network"). Enter the exact Network Name, set Security to WPA2/WPA3 Personal, enter the password, and click Join.

iPhone / Android: Other Network

iPhone: Settings → WiFi → tap Other at the bottom of the list → enter the SSID, security type, and password → tap Join. Android: Settings → Connections → WiFi → tap Add network → enter SSID, security, and password → tap Save.

Device vs. Connection Steps: Quick Reference Table

Device	Path to WiFi Settings	WPS Supported?	QR Code?
Windows 11	Taskbar WiFi icon → network arrow	Yes	No (scan with phone)
Windows 10	Taskbar WiFi icon → network list	Yes	No
Mac	Menu bar WiFi icon → network	No	No (scan with phone)
iPhone / iPad	Settings → WiFi	No	Yes (share)
Android	Settings → Connections → WiFi	Yes	Yes (share)
Smart TV	Settings → Network → WiFi	Yes (most models)	No
Chromebook	Clock → WiFi icon → network	Yes	No
Linux	System tray network icon	Yes (via nmcli)	No
Printer	Wireless Setup Wizard / WPS button	Yes (most models)	No

Troubleshooting Common WiFi Connection Problems

"Can't Find WiFi" — Network Not Appearing in the List

If your network is not showing up at all, work through these checks:

Distance: Move your device closer to the router. Walls, floors, and appliances reduce signal.
Router frequency: Most modern routers broadcast on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. If you see other networks but not yours, your device may not support 5 GHz. Try connecting to the 2.4 GHz band (usually labeled with "2G" or "_2.4" in the name).
WiFi disabled on router: Log into your router admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 in a browser) and check that the wireless radio is enabled.
Hidden network: If your router broadcasts a hidden SSID, use the manual "Add network" method above.
Restart the router: Unplug the router from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait 2 minutes for it to fully restart.

"Connected but No Internet" — WiFi Shows Connected, Nothing Loads

This is one of the most common and frustrating WiFi problems. Your device connects to the router but cannot reach the internet.

Restart router and modem: Power both off, wait 30 seconds, power the modem on first, wait 1 minute, then power the router on.
Check other devices: If other devices also have no internet, the problem is with your internet service — contact your ISP.
Windows fix: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these two commands: ipconfig /flushdns then netsh int ip reset, then restart.
DNS issue: Try changing your DNS to Google's public DNS. On Windows, go to Network adapter settings → IPv4 properties and set Preferred DNS to 8.8.8.8 and Alternate to 8.8.4.4.
Check IP conflict: On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig. If your IP address starts with 169.254, your device did not receive a valid IP from the router — restart the router.

"Authentication Error" or "Incorrect Password"

This error means the device is reaching the router but the password is being rejected.

Double-check the password: WiFi passwords are case-sensitive. Try typing it in a notes app first to verify, then paste or retype carefully.
Forget and reconnect: On all devices, forgetting the network clears corrupted credential caches. Forget the network, restart WiFi, and reconnect entering the password fresh.
"Can't connect to this network" on Windows: This specific error usually means Windows has a corrupted saved profile. Open Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → Manage known networks → Forget the network, then reconnect.
Router using outdated security: Older routers may use WEP encryption, which modern devices block. Log into your router admin panel and change the security protocol to WPA2 or WPA3.

    Quick test: If another device (a different phone or laptop) connects to the same network without issues, the problem is specific to your device — not the router. If nothing connects, the issue is with the router or your internet service.
  

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you connect to WiFi without a password?

Use the WPS button on your router. Press the WPS button on the router, then within 2 minutes press WPS on your device (or select WPS push button in its WiFi settings). The devices pair automatically without entering a password. This works on most Windows PCs, Android phones, printers, and Smart TVs. iPhones and Macs do not support WPS — use a QR code share instead (see the section above).

How do you connect to a hidden WiFi network?

On Windows, go to Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → Manage known networks → Add network. Enter the exact SSID, select WPA2-Personal as the security type, and enter the password. On Mac, click the WiFi icon → Other Networks → Other, then enter the exact network name and password. On iPhone, go to Settings → WiFi → Other. On Android, go to Settings → Connections → WiFi → Add network. You must know the exact network name (SSID), the security type, and the password.

What should I do if my WiFi keeps disconnecting?

First, restart both your router and your device. Check that you are not too far from the router — walls and interference from other devices degrade signal. On Windows, disable the power-saving option for the wireless adapter: open Device Manager → Network Adapters → right-click your WiFi adapter → Properties → Power Management → uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power". Also update your WiFi adapter drivers. If the problem persists on one specific network, forget the network and reconnect fresh.

Why does Windows say "Can't connect to this network"?

This error almost always means Windows has saved corrupted network credentials. Fix it by going to Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → Manage known networks, selecting the network, clicking Forget, and then reconnecting by entering the password fresh. If the error persists, open Command Prompt as administrator and run: netsh winsock reset followed by netsh int ip reset, then restart your computer. This resets the network stack completely.

How do you share WiFi with a guest without giving them the password?

On iPhone (iOS 16+), go to Settings → WiFi → tap your network name → tap the QR code icon to generate a shareable code. On Android, go to Settings → Connections → WiFi → tap your network → tap the QR code icon. The guest scans it with their camera and joins instantly. Alternatively, most modern routers support a Guest Network feature — log into your router's admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1) and enable a separate guest SSID with its own password, keeping your main network private.

How do you forget and rejoin a WiFi network?

Windows 11/10: Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → Manage known networks → select the network → Forget. Mac: System Settings → WiFi → click the network → Forget this network. iPhone: Settings → WiFi → tap the (i) next to the network → Forget This Network. Android: Settings → Connections → WiFi → tap and hold the network name → Forget. After forgetting, simply tap the network name in the list, enter the password, and reconnect as normal.