Skip to content

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.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Tags:

153 thoughts on “Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you onto the network…”

  1. Anonymous

    I get this message also. But I can’t find the authenication tab by doing what ou said. I have a Toshiba Portege 3500 tablet. New router WNR834Bv2. it knows wireless is there but gives this message. I tried in programs and control panel but cannot fid that tab

    1. Thomas S. Medford

      I couldn’t either but figured it out. Start –> Programs –> Accessories –> Communications –> Network Connections –> Right-click your Connection and select Properties –> Click on the Wireless Networks tab -> Under the Preferred networks section (middle of the window) click on the name of the network you want to connect to -> Underneath the box on the right you will see Properties click on that -> That will open a three tab menu the middle being Authentication click on that -> Uncheck the box at the top entitled Enable IEEE 802.1x… -> Click on the OK at the bottom -> Your selection is saved and you are brought back to the Wireless Networks tab -> Click on OK at the bottom which will save that -> Your Wirless Network Connection will automatically connect from that time and in the future.

  3. Rick

    Are you using XP on the tablet? If so, then you will find the area listed above, but if it’s Vista, then this tip doesn’t apply.

  5. Anonymous

    Wow….I also took a ton of time trying to figure this out and this worked perfectly!!! Thanks a ton for posting this!!

  7. Anonymous

    I have followed the instructions above, but now I’m getting a “limited or no connectivity” message when I try to connect to my network. Any ideas?
    Thanks!

  8. Rick

    Shut off your computer. Unplug the power from your router AND your high speed connection. Wait a full minute, then plug in the modem first…wait 1 minute, plug in the route….wait 1 minute, then turn your computer back on again.

  10. Anonymous

    Hi there! Thanks a million on resolvingthe issue on “Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you onto the network (Network name here).

    The solution works allright! Never had a headache ever since 🙂

  11. Anonymous

    I couldn’t find the authentication tab at first.

    The right path is as follows:
    Start\Programs\Accessories\Communications\Network connections

    Right click on your connection, select properties, then wireless networks tab.

    Under preferred networks, click on your wireless network, select properties, then authentication tab.

    After unchecking the IEEE802.1x box, it solved my problem immediately. Thank you.

  14. Anonymous

    i have a linksys router wrt160nv2 when im trying to connect from windows xp sp2 i got the following message “windows was unable to find a certificate to log you on the network [ssid]” and the IEEE authintication is unchecked as its recommended, the wireless security i used is WEP so could any body please help me to solve this problem

  15. Rick

    Did you reset your router? And not just a restart, but the hold the reset button in for 30 seconds reset after unplugging your router? Try that and then see how it works. Also restart your high speed modem.

  18. MS

    Have tried all the above and a number of other possible solutions helped by linksys phone line none worked.

    I was upgrading to a WirelessN Linksys WAG 160N, using WPA2 Personal encryption. This level of encryption automtically disables authentication rendering that suggested fix irrelevant.

    In the end the problem was my older Belkin USB G Network Adapter. Quite old – came with my Belkin G Router. My newer computer came with an identical looking Belkin G USB adapter with slightly different model number (ie newer) and it connected without problem on my old Windows XP system.

    Won’t help everyone but might help some! wasted 5 hours of my life.

  19. RN in Canada

    Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

    I’ve been trying to resolve this problem for two days. I knew the router was working fine, b/c another computer is connected to the wireless network through it. I was given a laptop recently and wanted to connect it to the same network. It could see the network, but got hung up at validating my identity and wouldn’t let me onto the Internet through the network.

    LinkSys’s “award-winning online support” was ZERO help, and my router is out of warranty, so no joy from Live Chat. I subsist on a small disability pension, so fee-based support (their other option) is out of my reach.

    You are my hero!

  20. tmk

    thanks man !!
    but if follow ur way..
    i couldnt get the authentication..
    so there is another way.. thanks

  23. Seolyk

    Im having this problem and the IEEE thing is greyed out and unavailable, what should i do? I’m running XP and have a linksys WRT54GS2 router using WAP.

    1. Rick

      I would suggest logging back into your router and using the reset to factory defaults option. Then unplug it from the modem, reset the modem one more time using the reset button on the router itself, then try setting it up from scratch.

  25. jemmie

    i have the same problem..but, when i am in the authentication tab, the box for enable IEEE 802.1x cannot be checked or unchecked…what shall i do?

    1. Rick

      You might want to try setting your router back to its default settings AND removing any and all network adapters in your Device Manager to try and re-build the network from scratch. Good luck.

Comments are closed.