Unable to connect to the TTU Res Halls Wi-Fi network on your Mac


Symptoms

You have configured your Mac to connect to the TTU Res Halls wireless network according to the published instructions, but you are still unable to connect.

Cause

There are multiple possible causes for failed connections to the TTU Res Halls Wi-Fi, even if the connection was configured correctly.

Resolution

  1. In your Mac's menu bar, click the Wi-Fi icon.

    Mac menu bar with Wi-Fi icon highlighted

  2. Slide the switch next to "Wi-Fi" to the off position (to the left).

    Wi-Fi pop-up menu with red arrow indicating Wi-Fi is turned off

  3. Slide the switch to the on position (back to the right) to enable Wi-Fi. Check to see if the problem has been resolved. If not, proceed to the next step for additional troubleshooting.

    TIP: If you connect to TTU Res Halls Wi-Fi in one location and then move locations, your Mac may attempt to maintain its connection with the wireless access point at the previous location. This can result in a slow connection or the appearance that there is no connection at all. To resolve the problem, simply disable Wi-Fi on your Mac and enable it again by repeating the two steps above. This will cause macOS to re-establish a connection using the closest wireless access point.

    Wi-Fi pop-up menu with red arrow indicating Wi-Fi is turned on

  4. Open the Keychain Access app. The best way to do this is by using Spotlight.

    NOTE: Before proceeding, it is recommended that you make a backup of your keychain in case you need to restore it.

    If prompted with an option to manage your passwords in System Settings instead, click Open Keychain Access.

    "Mange Your Passwords in System Settings" window with "Open Keychain Access" button selected

  5. Delete any certificates or passwords related to TTU Res Halls from all applicable keychains, including Login, iCloud, System, and System Roots. Click once on the desired item to select it. Then, press the delete key on your keyboard.

    TIP: To delete multiple certificates and passwords, click each one while holding the command key on your keyboard. When you are done selecting, press the delete key on your keyboard.

    "Keychain Access" window with TTU Res Halls items being deleted

    If you are prompted whether you want to delete the keychain item, choose Delete to confirm.

    "Are you sure you want to delete 'TTU Res Halls'?" prompt with "Delete" option selection

    If asked for credentials to make changes, type the username and password of an account with administrative privileges on your Mac. Then, click Modify Keychain.

    "Keychain Access is trying to modify the system keychain." prompt with password entered and "Modify Keychain" selected

  6. In your Mac's menu bar, click the Wi-Fi icon again and choose Wi-Fi Settings.

    Mac menu bar Wi-Fi menu with "Wi-Fi Settings" option selected

  7. Under the "Known Network" section, if you have an entry for "TTU Res Halls", click the menu icon (three dots) next to it. Then, choose Forget This Network.

    TTU Res Halls Wi-Fi menu with "Forget This Network" option selected

  8. Click Remove.

    "Forget Wi-Fi Network 'TTU Res Halls'?" with "Remove" option selected

  9. Under "Wi-Fi", click Details.

    Wi-Fi Settings menu with "Details" button selected

  10. Click the DNS tab.

    Wi-Fi window with "DNS" tab opened

  11. Locate the "DNS Servers" field. Use the minus sign () button to remove any entries that were manually added.

    NOTE: Manually-added entries are easily identifiable because they are the ones that the system will allow you to remove. Default DNS servers assigned by DHCP will be grayed out and cannot be removed; this is expected.

    DNS Servers being removed

  12. Locate the "Search Domains" field. Use the minus sign () button to remove any entries that were manually added. When you are done, click OK.

    Search Domains being removed

  13. Under the "Other Networks" section, click Other.

    "Other" button under "Other Networks" heading is selected

  14. Configure the following information, and then click OK.

    "Add a Wi-Fi Network Profile" window with TTU Res Halls information being input

  15. Repeat steps 1–3. Once Wi-Fi is disabled and enabled again, it should automatically connect to the TTU Res Halls network if it is within range.

  16. If your Mac isn't connected to TTU Res Halls at this point, try renewing the DHCP lease.

Outcome

Your Mac is connected to the TTU Res Halls wireless network.

Mac Wi-Fi Settings menu showing the device is connected to TTU Res Halls