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How to Connect a Windows Phone to WiFi

Authored by:
Support.com Tech Pro Team
This Guided Path® was written and reviewed by Support.com’s Tech Pro team. With decades of experience, our Tech Pros are passionate about making technology work for you. We love feedback! Let us know what you think about this Guided Path® by rating it at the end.

Introduction

In This Guide
You'll Learn:
  • How to connect your Microsoft Smartphone to Wi-Fi.

1 Credentials

In order to connect to a wireless network, you must have the required credentials. These are:
  • Wireless Network Name (SSID)
  • Wireless Network Key (Password)

Finding Network Credentials

Most wireless routers/gateways have a label with the default credentials. If the credentials aren't there, look in the devices documentation.
Default Wi-Fi credentials highlighted on router/gateway sticker.

If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) installed the wireless router or gateway, they might have left you a setup sheet which may have the credentials.

? Do you know your Wireless Network name (SSID) and Key?

  1. Yes
  2. No

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In This Guide
You'll Learn:
  • How to connect your Microsoft Smartphone to Wi-Fi.
In order to connect to a wireless network, you must have the required credentials. These are:
  • Wireless Network Name (SSID)
  • Wireless Network Key (Password)

Finding Network Credentials

Most wireless routers/gateways have a label with the default credentials. If the credentials aren't there, look in the devices documentation.
Default Wi-Fi credentials highlighted on router/gateway sticker.

If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) installed the wireless router or gateway, they might have left you a setup sheet which may have the credentials.

  1. Swipe left to reveal the menu.
    Windows phone home screen.
  2. Scroll down and select Settings.
    Windows phone menu highlighting the settings option.
  3. Select WiFi.
    Windows phone settings menu highlighting the Wi-Fi option.
  4. Turn on WiFi networking.
    Windows phone Wi-Fi settings menu highlighting the Wi-Fi switch being turned on.
  5. Select the wireless network you would like to connect to.
    Windows phone Wi-Fi menu displaying a list of available wireless networks.
  6. Enter your Wi-Fi password and select done.
    Windows phone prompting the user to enter their Wi-Fi password, highlighting the password entry field and done button.
  7. You are now connected to your Wi-Fi network!
    Windows phone Wi-Fi menu displaying the device is currently connected to the chosen Wi-Fi network.
To help troubleshoot the problem we should check if other devices can connect to the wireless network.

If other wireless devices are connected to the network and functioning properly, chances are the router is OK. It's possible there is an environmental issue. Do you have a portable wireless device (Smart Phone, Tablet, Laptop, etc.) that you can put in the same area to test and see if that device's wireless connection still functions as intended in that location?

If you haven't already, please try power cycling the device you're working with. To do so, simply turn it off, wait 30 seconds and turn it back on again.

At this time, Microsoft has not indicated that there are any compatibility issues with specific models of networking equipment on the market. To ensure that your specific networking equipment and all settings will work properly with your Microsoft Smartphone, please reach out to the manufacturer directly for further assistance.

Some wireless routers broadcast a dual-band wireless signal and provide both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless networks. Your device may not see the 5GHz network, which is completely normal. Not all devices contain the antenna to communicate on the 5GHz band. Also, some routers broadcast guest networks that your device may not be able to connect to depending on your router's settings.

The device needs to be within a reasonable range of the router in order to connect and have the best connection speeds.

  • In general, in most homes, you can be up to 30 feet from your router for a decent connection.
  • From 30' to 50' away, the speeds will be slower, and may drop occasionally, but it should be usable.
  • Greater than 50' away, and the signal will most likely be too weak to overcome interference. The speeds will be slow, and the connection may be sporadic.

The above numbers are approximates only. Optimal range may vary based on router make and model.

Your router may need to be relocated to a more centralized location in order to provide better coverage for all your devices.

Good Placement

A house, separated into rooms detailing how placing Wi-Fi in the center of a house will provide better coverage to reach all devices. Diagram.

Bad Placement

A house, separated into rooms detailing how placing Wi-Fi in the corner of the house can cause some devices to not have a Wi-Fi signal. Diagram.

Since this appears to be a range issue that can be resolved by putting the router in closer proximity to the device's intended use area, we recommend moving the router to a more centralized location.
If wireless signal is not reaching your device, and relocating your router or the device itself to be in closer proximity is not possible or doesn't resolve the issue, a great way to boost wireless signal without replacing existing equipment is to acquire and install a range extender. Range extenders work with your existing wireless router as a type of wireless repeater used to expand the reach of wireless signal in your home.
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