Eduroam Not Working on Windows 11: Troubleshooting Guide

Eduroam, the secure, worldwide roaming access service, can sometimes be problematic on Windows 11. If you’re experiencing issues connecting, this guide provides comprehensive troubleshooting steps to get you back online.

Preliminary Checks

Before diving into complex solutions, perform these basic checks:

  • Verify Eduroam Availability: Ensure eduroam is available in your current location. Check the Wi-Fi networks list to confirm it’s broadcasting.
  • Check Credentials: Double-check your username and password. Typographical errors are a common cause of connection problems. Your username usually ends with your institution’s domain (e.g., [email protected]).
  • Restart Your Device: A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches.
  • Airplane Mode: Ensure Airplane Mode is disabled.
  • Wi-Fi Enabled: Confirm Wi-Fi is turned on.

Common Causes and Solutions

If the preliminary checks don’t resolve the issue, consider these potential causes and their solutions:

1. Incorrect Network Profile

Windows 11 might be using an outdated or incorrect network profile for eduroam. Removing and re-adding the network can fix this.

Steps:

  1. Click the Start button, then select Settings.
  2. Go to Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
  3. Click Manage known networks.
  4. Find eduroam in the list and click Forget.
  5. Reconnect to eduroam. Windows will prompt you for your username and password. Ensure you select the correct authentication method (usually PEAP or TTLS).

2. Outdated or Corrupted Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupted network drivers can prevent your device from connecting to Wi-Fi networks, including eduroam.

Steps:

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Network adapters.
  3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter (e.g., Intel Wireless-AC 9560) and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows will search for and install the latest driver.
  5. If that doesn’t work, try Uninstall device, then restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

3. Incorrect Security Settings

Eduroam often requires specific security settings. Windows 11 might not be configured correctly by default.

Steps:

  1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
  2. Click Manage known networks and select eduroam.
  3. Click Properties.
  4. Under Security type, ensure it’s set to WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3-Enterprise. Consult your institution’s IT documentation for the correct setting.
  5. Under Encryption type, select AES.
  6. Click Advanced settings and ensure 802.1X settings are configured correctly. Typically, the authentication mode should be set to User authentication.

4. Certificate Issues

Eduroam uses certificates to verify the network’s authenticity. If the certificate is invalid or not trusted, you may encounter connection problems.

Steps:

  1. Check Certificate Validity: When connecting to eduroam, carefully examine the certificate presented. Ensure it’s issued by a trusted authority and hasn’t expired. Your institution’s IT department should provide information about the correct certificate.
  2. Import the Certificate (if necessary): If your institution requires you to manually install a certificate, download it from their website and follow their instructions for importing it into your system’s trusted root certification authorities.

5. Background Interference

Background applications or services can interfere with network connections.

Steps:

  1. Clean Boot: Perform a clean boot to start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help identify if a third-party application is causing the problem. Search “msconfig” in the Windows search bar and follow the instructions.
  2. Disable VPNs and Proxies: Temporarily disable any VPNs or proxy servers you are using, as they can sometimes interfere with eduroam connections.

6. Windows Firewall

Your Windows Firewall might be blocking the connection to eduroam.

Steps:

  1. Search for “Windows Firewall” in the Windows search bar and open Windows Defender Firewall.
  2. Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
  3. Click Change settings.
  4. Find Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter and ensure it’s checked for both Private and Public networks. If it’s not listed, you might need to add it manually.

7. Group Policy Settings

In some cases, Group Policy settings configured by your organization might be overriding your network settings. This is more common in corporate or educational environments.

Solution:

  • Contact IT Support: If you suspect Group Policy is the issue, contact your organization’s IT support for assistance. They can review and adjust the Group Policy settings as needed.

When to Seek Help

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps above and are still unable to connect to eduroam, contact your institution’s IT support. They can provide more specific guidance based on your network configuration and account details.

Conclusion

Connecting to eduroam on Windows 11 can sometimes be tricky, but by following these troubleshooting steps, you can often resolve the issue and regain access to this valuable roaming service.