Unable to connect to the eduroam Wi-Fi network in macOS Monterey or Big Sur


Symptoms

You have configured your Mac to connect to the eduroam 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 eduroam Wi-Fi, even if the connection was configured correctly.

Resolution

1) In your Mac's menu bar, click the Wi-Fi icon. Then, slide the switch next to "Wi-Fi" to the off position (to the left).

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2) 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 eduroam 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.

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3) Open the Keychain Access app. One way to do this is by going to Launchpad, going to the Other folder, and clicking Keychain Access.

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

4) Delete any certificates or passwords related to eduroam 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.

NOTE: The certificate may be named "8021x.ttu.edu".

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

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5) Click Delete.

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6) In your Mac's menu bar, click the Wi-Fi icon again and choose Open Network Preferences.

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7) Ensure that Wi-Fi is chosen in the left-hand pane. Uncheck the box next to "Ask to join new networks". Then, click Advanced.

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8) If you have any entries for eduroam, click them one at a time and click the minus sign () to remove them.

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9) Click OK.

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10) Click Apply.

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11) Click Advanced again.

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12) Click the DNS tab and 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.

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13) Locate the "Search Domains" field. Use the minus sign () button to remove any entries that were manually added.

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14) Click on the Wi-Fi tab. Then, click the plus sign (+).

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15) Configure the following information, and then click OK.

  • Network Name: eduroam
  • Security: WPA2 Enterprise
  • Mode: Automatic
  • Username: your_home_campus_email_address (for example, john.doe@someuniv.edu)
  • Password: your_home_campus_account_password

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16) Click OK.

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17) Click Apply.

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18) Repeat Steps 1 and 2. Once Wi-Fi is disabled and enabled again, your Mac should automatically connect to the eduroam network if it is within range.

19) After turning Wi-Fi off and back on again in the previous step, you may be prompted about certificate verification. If so, click Continue.

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Outcome

Your Mac will be connected to the eduroam wireless network.

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