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Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you onto the network…

I looked all over the Internet for a long time to find this answer. Once I discovered it, I decided to post it here on HMR so that everyone can have it.

The problem arises in Windows XP while trying to connect to a secured network, often on a D-link router.

While trying to connect a new computer wirelessly, an error comes up stating that “Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you onto the network (Network name here).

Here’s how to fix it if it is WEP encryption…

Start –> Programs –> Accessories –> Communications –> Network Connections –> Right-click your Connection and select Properties –> Click on the Authentication tab –> Disable / uncheck the option IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network. Now, try to connect to your Wireless network; are you able to? (Note: you may need to restart the computer.)

If it is WPA encryption, make sure you are using the TKIP type and it is set correctly in both the router and the new machine’s connection.

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134 Responses to “Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you onto the network…”

  1. Chinmay says:

    A unique problem i am having…i m using a BELKIN router..i can use the wifi fine from my personal lappie..its all set up..but when i am trying to acess the same frm my second laptop (the official one!!), it is throwing me ” unable t find a certificate”………………..

    surprisingly..when i am trying to connect this one thru wire from router, the net just wrks fine..nt sure whats the issue???

    Thanks in advance!!

  2. 2x5x says:

    Thanx, very very much :)

  3. Kathryn says:

    Thank you so much for this information. We just purchased a new Windows XP-based netbook and couldn’t figure out why we could connect to our D-Link router yet we kept getting these error messages. Your tip solved the problem.

  4. Cheryl says:

    Hey, I am unable to uncheck the IEEE 802.1x authentication because it’s all greyed out…. what do I do?

  5. Alee says:

    Thanks. It worked first time.

  6. mat says:

    thanks this worked

  7. chris says:

    Thank you, that was a quick and easy fix!

  8. Bobby says:

    I went to what you said and it’s already unchecked and greyed out, but I still can’t connect. I have a Linksys N router. Help please.

    • Rick says:

      This work around is only for specific situations…if it didn’t work for you, you will need to consult with someone who can look at your setup. Good luck.

      • Flounder says:

        I had the same problem and I followed the direction listed above plus I forgot I put a static ip address on my wireless which didn’t have a default gateway address. Changed it to obtain an IP address and it fixed my problem.

  9. Plugged4Fun says:

    Thank you very much. This fixed my problem right away. I just bought the ASUS Eee 1005HA netbook and I’m using a Linksys router.

  10. Carlos says:

    Hello.
    I just set up my new D-link router and I’m also confronting the same problem. I found out about this tip in another website but it is not doing anything. Actually I don’t know why it is hapenning only with this computer I have set up in my livingroom, with the administrative account it works just fine it conects to the network, but when I switch to the a limited account user, it starts giving me this problem. I did everything I read about this problem but seems like there is no answer.
    Thanks

  11. laila says:

    Thank you!

  12. shiva shankar says:

    ya this site uage helpfull

  13. Amrish says:

    great!! Worked first time!

  14. kaye says:

    thanks, man! helped me out

  15. ajith says:

    Hey, All need to say the same solution…..the IEEE 802.1x authentication is now in uncheck condition and it’s all greyed out…. what do I do? Still it is showing the same problem……no other solutions???????

  16. Gary says:

    Restarted the computer after your fix and it worked.

  17. kufre says:

    That’s great! it was pretty ok!

  18. partha_777 says:

    Thanks, it’s working fine… After uncheck the “Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network” box my internet speed also increased. But I have one question is this task safe for my Laptop? Any chance to hack or coming virus????

  19. brad says:

    sweet worked all gd for me thanks for posting the answer

  20. Zaheer Usmani says:

    Thanks bro u r # 1

  21. Kalyan says:

    Thank you so much for helping out with this post :)

  22. Jim says:

    Rick
    Thank you. Solved my friends difficulty with a belkin router. Now they are suffers! Appreciate your sharing.

    • PRAT says:

      Mine is WPA encryption, and I made sure that i am using the TKIP type and it is set correctly in both the router and the new machine’s connection. But unfortunately it does not work for my personal laptop. However, it works fine in my office laptop.

  23. hello says:

    hey there is no ieee802 box in here!!!!
    i really need internet now please help me .

  24. Oldsailor65 says:

    Thank you very much, it worked

  25. EC says:

    THANK YOU! I’m so grateful you decided to post this information when you did find it, it was of great help to me!

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